Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by John Feinstein

Reviewed by Danilo C.
Grade 8

As the sixth book of a book series that has been one of my favorites ever since I started reading it, I knew Rush for the Gold was bound to be a good book, and I was right. This thrilling mystery takes place at this year’s London Olympics’ swim races. Just like in the books before it, this book incorporates interesting sports understanding as well as investigative reporting which make it a tremendously exciting novel.

Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson, two teenage reporters who have been covering sporting events together for two years, are back again, this time under completely different circumstances. Normally, Stevie and Susan Carol cover big-time sporting events together as newspaper reporters. In this book, Susan Carol is there as an Olympic athlete. Susan Carol swims the 100 and 200 fly, and after nearly breaking records at the trials, she made it on the Olympic swim team for both races. At first it seemed like a dream come true, but it soon became a nightmare. Soon enough there were agents at her doorstep wooing her father with unfathomable amounts of money, and before she knew it Susan Carol was being used more as a marketing tool than as a swimmer. Things only got worse from there; her longtime swim coach was almost fired, her best friends were being shut out of her life, and her father wasn’t listening to her or anyone but the agents. To make matters worse, she and Stevie found themselves entrenched in a mystery scandal involving a sportswear company and a Russian swimmer.

John Feinstein has always been one of my favorite authors for multiple reasons. One, I am an avid sports fan, so his extensive knowledge of sports always interests me whenever I read his books. Two, I also enjoy mysteries, and John Feinstein is able to combine both of these topics and make them into an outstanding novel. I also like the way he combines real people into the story to make it more realistic.

This entire series is a must read for any mystery reader, sports fan, or both. The way the author incorporates big time sporting events and turns them into thrilling mystery novels is unheard of, which is what makes this book a must read. Reading this book and the ones before it will have any reader anticipating the next masterpiece Feinstein comes up with.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Reviewed by Kathryn A.
Grade 8


Beatrice dragged the knife's blade across her palm, closed her eye and then thrust her palm outward; her blood spilled onto the carpet between the stones of Abnegation, her home faction of selflessness, and the fire of Dauntless, the brave. Then, she reached out, and her blood sizzled on the coals of Dauntless. Beatrice had chosen her life's path and now her decision could not be taken back, either she would survive initiation and join Dauntless or live a shameful life as an outcast, Factionless. Not only were these worries clinging to her, but and even greater worry was at hand, she was Divergent. If this information fell into the wrong hands, the outcome would be death.

It all started with the results of Beatrice's aptitude tests, which were inconclusive; she had three,not two Factions to choose from, Abnegation, Dauntless and Eridite. With the Choosing Ceremony the very next day, Beatrice must pick her lives path, alone. When her name is called she is still unsure of which faction to pick, and is in shock because of her brother, Caleb's choice. She picks Dauntless, and from that point onward her life became a flurry of action. Just to get to the Dauntless headquarters she must join the others as they jump on and off a moving train and down into an unseen net from the top of a building. When she arrives she learns that she must learn to fight with and against the others, and both mentally and phisically control her fears as well as hide the secret that she is divergent.She makes some friends and many enemies along the way who strive to kill her. In the end many will be thrown out and made factionless, and every moment it is crucial that you preform your best lest that person be you. Along the way are many hardships and challenges but Beatrice, now Tris has inside help from one of the trainers, Four and is determined to make it through initiation and rank high in her year.

Tris' character is portrayed in the beginning as a girl unsure of who she is, but determined to find out. Her determination is what carries her through many tough situations and ends up saving her life. She is portrayed as someone who cares deeply about her friends and family and will do anything possible to save them. She is at her best when others are in danger which is shown early on when Al is instrructed to stand in front of a target while Four throws knives at it. Tris takes his place and Four told her that if she flinched, Al would take her place, knowing that she was better at being brave when those she cared about were in danger. Four at the beginning is portrayed somewhat stoney and stern, but as Tris gets to know him better she realizes how alike they both truly are. They both value selflessness as well as bravery and loyalty. Four, also called Tobias, is caring and thoughtful, always looking out for Tris, who he becomes very fond of.

I would most definatly recommend Divergent to teens who love a novel with an action filled plot and many unexpected twists and turns. Veronica Roth's writing style is somewhat complex but easy to follow, making this book one of the best I've ever read. I feel as if many teenage girls can relate to Tris. We all want to be the best we can at everything we attempt, the idea of fighting others is scary and somewhat repulsive, and we all are constantly battling with ourselves to find out who we truly are and stay true to our real identity. In Divergent,Tris too faces these challenges and many more, overcoming them to the best of her ability and setting an example for readers to reflect upon and enjoy.