Author Archives: Lauren B.

Book Review: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

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hunger_games_coverWhen I had first heard of this book, I thought it was just another story about vampires which didn’t interest me at all. That was until one of my friends said it was worth reading and I figured that I might as well. The futuristic yet poverty-stricken country of North America for those past seventy-four years had me wondering if this could actually happen one day.

This suspenseful plot of thirteen districts defying the Capitol has led to yearly event of choosing one girl and boy from twelve of the districts to fight till the death in a themed arena. The last one standing will win and be greatly rewarded and honored for representing their district. To the people of the Capitol this is merely a television show, but to the rest of the people of Panem it is an unfortunate reality.

This year, Peeta and Katniss from district twelve are put in the arena and change the history of the Games forever. The Hunger Games is a thrilling story with something in it for everyone. There is action, violence, betrayal, but also romance, friendship and kindness. It is an easy read that you will not want to put down. This is definitely one of my favorite books and made for a great movie as well.  A perfect action-adventure novel for everyone.

-Lauren B., 12th grade

Book Review: Love’s Image, by Debby Mayne

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loves_image_coverThis is a great love story with some very powerful messages:

  • Beauty is not only skin deep.
  • What’s on the outside of someone is not as important as what’s  on the inside.
  • Have faith and never ever give up.

My great-aunt read it and thought I would like it. She was right.

Model Shannon McNab has been in a terrible car accident that wounded her face. Left with a long scar as a reminder, she knows that her career as a model is shot and her self-confidence has flown out the window. Her boyfriend leaves her because he no longer finds her attractive.

When one of her friends takes her to a singles group at church, Shannon is apprehensive about going at first. It is there that she meets Judd Manning, a kind, funny school teacher who makes Shannon smile once again. He makes her believe that she might be able to find someone who doesn’t judge her by her scar and will love her the way she is. She begins to feel better about herself again and falls in love with Judd.

As her scar fades over time, her love for Judd and God grows. She is confident again and finally happy, having found the true meaning of her life and believing that everything does happen for a reason.

This novel is definitely a favorite of mine and a real feel-good story. It shows how to have faith in God, other people, and yourself.

-Lauren B., 12th grade

Book Review: The Great Brain, by John D. Fitzgerald

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great_brain_coverI remember when I read this book in the sixth grade. It was one of my teacher’s favorites and at the end of the year he gave everyone in the class a copy.

Written in the late 1960s, The Great Brain is a classic novel. The story is set in Utah in the 1890s and based on the author’s real-life experiences as a child.

In the book, John and his brother Tom have many adventures together. Tom is tricky, clever, and a con man. He is known as the “Great Brain” and is always finding different ways to get money. Tom once charged the neighbor kids a penny each to see the hole that was being dug for the water closet, or outhouse. Tom manages to get their teacher fired as well. With Tom always causing trouble he seems like the bad guy, but he later grows from that. His plan to rescue the two boys lost in Skeleton Cave makes him a hometown hero. He then sees what can happen for someone if you do the right thing. Tom and John (known as J.D.) become closer as brothers as well as their whole family.

And that’s just the beginning. With the other seven books in the series, there are a lot more adventures to be had and lessons to learn. The titles in the series are:

  • More Adventures of the Great Brain
  • Me and My Little Brain
  • The Great Brain at the Academy
  • The Great Brain Reforms
  • The Return of the Great Brain
  • The Great Brain Does it Again
  • The Great Brain is Back

It is a great series filled with excitement, drama, and humor.

-Lauren B., 12th grade