Category Archives: Book Reviews

Book Review: Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors

Posted on by
Reply

smells_like_dogIn the world of literature, there are so many authors out there. But, there are a few dozen authors who will blow your mind, and one of them is Suzanne Selfors. The way Suzanne writes is simply amazing. First, her books are a fusion between comedy and seriousness. Especially in Smells Like Dog.

This is definitely my favorite book written by her. In Smells Like Dog, Homer, who is a farm boy, gets a gift from Uncle Drake– a dog! Except, the dog doesn’t do anything. Really he does nothing. But, Uncle Dranke, before he died, left a dog to Homer, which he called his most treasured possession. So what should he do with it? The dog just doesn’t want to do anything at all.

Until… you’ll have to read the book to know.

Out of 5 I would rate this story a definite 5. Also, out of 5, I would rate the author a 6, because it is very hard to find a great author. Thanks for reading, and please give comments below!

-Satej B., 8th grade

Book Review: Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer

Posted on by
1

half_moon_investigations_coverHey there Artemis Fowl fans! If you have already read (and reread) the Artemis Fowl series, another great book by Eoin Colfer is Half Moon Investigations.

Though we know Eoin Colfer best for his incredible portrayals in the Artemis Fowl fantasies, his realistic fiction Half Moon Investigations is truly astounding. Based in present day, this is an action-packed mystery you won’t soon forget. In this novel, Fletcher (Half) Moon, a private detective, gets involved in his most dangerous case yet. When Fletcher is employed by April Devereux to investigate the Sharkey family, specifically Red Sharkey, he gets much more than he bargained for. Fletcher is badly injured, accused of a severe crime, and must constantly try to determine where his trust should lie. The twists and turns, vivid descriptions, and intriguing story line of Half Moon Investigations are sure to satisfy any voracious reader’s needs.

One of this adventure’s greatest strengths is its ability to pull you in and not let go. I was completely engaged in Half Moon Investigations, and I felt like I was right there alongside Fletcher every step of the way. With phenomenal details and a spot-on view into the world of Fletcher Moon, this book is nearly impossible to put down. Eoin Colfer made all of the characters in his novel really come to life. It was almost as if you could pick up the phone book, find Fletcher Moon’s number, and have him describe the whole story to you in person.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the Artemis Fowl series or who is looking for a good mystery. What discoveries will Fletcher Moon make? It’s up to you to find out- by reading Half Moon Investigations.

-Alaina K., 6th grade

Book Review: The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale

Posted on by
1

merchant_of_deathBobby Pendragon was a popular, athletic 14 year old boy in middle school. He had it all– until one night when his amazing relative, Uncle Press, takes him on a trip he’ll never forget.

They take a motorcycle ride to a closed down subway station and after having a close encounter with an evil, shape-shifting man known by the name Saint Dane, get to a magical gateway that takes people through time, place, and dimensions called a flume. They go through it into a place called Denduron and in the first few minutes get attacked by monstrous beasts called quigs, get Uncle Press captured, and nearly get killed. How fun, right?

He then passes out and wakes up in a small hut to find out that their are two people living in the hut and their names are Loor (the daughter) and Osa (the mother). They explain that he is a traveler and all other travelers (including them) have the life mission of stopping the evil man, Saint Dane, from sending all of Halla (every time, place, person and thing that ever existed) into chaos and taking over. He learns that he will have to find the turning point of each territory (their are 10 in all of Halla) and make sere Saint Dane doesn’t “turn it too far” so to speak. He’s then finally told that the turning point of Denduron is going to happen soon and they need to stop it. They later find the turning point of Denduron and have to go on an amazing adventure to save the territory and Uncle Press before it is too late.

The whole series is amazing and I’d definitely recommend all ten books.\

-Solana M., 6th grade

Book Review: Shelter by Harlan Coben

Posted on by

shelter_coverHave you ever felt like you have been betrayed, and overwhelmed with nothing but lies? In the realistic fictional book Shelter: A Mickey Bolitar Novel, by Harlan Coben, a teenage boy named Mickey Bolitar has to persevere through hardships to save his loved ones. Throughout his journey, Mickey must survive surprising challenges and overcome his fears in order to succeed.

Starting a new life at a different neighborhood and new school, Mickey moves in with his only other relative, his uncle, because his father died in a car accident and his mom moved to rehabilitation. Mickey meets a girl named Ashley who soon becomes his girlfriend. She suspiciously disappears and her permanent record is erased without a trace. Near his house, Mickey meets a person called “Bat Lady,” who turns his life upside down again when she tells him that his father is still alive and well. Confused and anxious, he wants to figure out how and why his loved ones vanished. Thrown into a life-threating mission to solve the crime, Mickey learns that he can’t trust those closest to him, let alone himself.

Harlan Coben, the author of Shelter: A Mickey Bolitar Novel, tells the story in first person, where Mickey is the narrator. I like how he expresses Mickey’s feelings and thoughts, which gives the reader a closer view and helps them relate to Mickey as a teenager. However, even though Mickey is the protagonist, he does seem like the villain sometimes, because he forces his friends to help him, even though their lives are put on the line. I would rate this book a 7 out of 10 because I liked the setting of the mystery, but there wasn’t enough action involved into the story. Suspenseful and fun to read, this book is for young adults who prefer a good mystery to get their minds thinking and plenty of detective work that leads to an unexpected ending.

-Riley W., 7th grade

Book Review: Endgame: The Calling, by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton

Posted on by
Reply

endgame_callingThrilling, suspenseful, page turning. Endgame by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton is all that it promises to be.

If you are younger, do not let the size of the book intimidate you, as this book is almost impossible to put down. Full of action, the novel is written from the perspective of a different “player” every chapter. Even if you are like me, someone who is not a fan of books written in this way, your opinion, like mine, will change with this novel.

Taking place in the present, the book follows the storylines of twelve “players,” those older than thirteen, younger than 20. All are highly trained killers, “as deadly as any soldier on Earth.” Put together, these players represent every trait, from kindness, to stupidity, to evil. These twelve are specially chosen descendants of the twelve ancient lines, and must fight to the death for their people’s survival. Whichever player first finds the three keys, each hidden on a different spot on the Earth, this player earns survival for themselves and the rest of their line when the world comes to an end. Everybody else on Earth will die.

In my opinion, Endgame is the new “Hunger Games” series, so for those who loved Suzanne Collins’ series, the Endgame series is a new must read. Also, for those avid readers out there who want to try Endgame, you should be warned, I was literally not able to put the book down, so before picking up this new novel, make sure you have plenty of time to read. Endgame is definitely worth your time, and I am already looking forward to the second book in this thrilling series.

-Will R., 10th grade

Book Review: The Third Twin by C.J. Omololu

Posted on by
2

third_twinLexi and Ava are identical twins, but sometimes… they are triplets.

When they were little, they made up a third twin, Alicia. Alicia was blamed for everything like when things were broken or stolen. Now that they are seniors in high school, their little game has gotten more serious. They pretend to be Alicia when they go out with boys who are hot but not the dating type. The kind of guys they would never consider being with in real life. However, Lexi wants to put an end to Alicia for good when one guy Alicia dated turns up dead. Ava thinks that as long as they follow the rules for Alicia (always wear the diamond pendant; never sleep with any of the guys; and after five dates, they are gone), everything will go back to normal. Before that can happen, another boy is killed, and DNA tests and camera proof reveal that there is only one possible suspect: Alicia. The girl who doesn’t exist. Lexi is on the run, and she has to find the truth before another boy dies. Because either Ava is the real killer…or Alicia is real.

When I first heard about this book, I knew I just had to read it. I even thought the title was interesting. I mean who’s ever heard of a third twin? The story is very compelling and holds so many surprises. The biggest surprise, by far, is who the killer turns out to be. Right away, the story picks up. I just couldn’t stop reading it. This book is meant for ages 12 and up. There is some mature content and language present, but other than that, I suggest you go out and get this book when it comes out on February 24, 2015.

-Sabrina C., 9th grade

Book Review: The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater

Posted on by

scorpio_racesKate Connolly, also known as Puck, is in danger of losing her house. Her parents both died several years ago. Gabe, her older brother, is leaving the island and going to the mainland, leaving Puck and her younger brother alone. The only solution Kate has is to ride in The Scorpio Races.

Sean Kendrick, the most famous rider in the Scorpio Races also has high stakes for winning the race this year. His boss, Benjamin Malvern, owner of practically all of the island, has changed things up this year. Sean has never been so desperate to win.

The Scorpio Races is the story of these two young adults who live on Thisby, an island whose lives revolve around the capaill uisce, the deadly water horses. The Scorpio Races are the main attraction of the island, where riders compete to control their horses and to win the race. Not everyone will survive. Puck and Sean cannot both win.

To be honest, I enjoyed this novel greatly. It seems to have a dark storyline, but I was fascinated by the mystical water horses and captivated by the parallel stories of Puck and Sean. Unlike many teen novels I have read, this book did not have much romanticism; it was pretty clean. Additionally, though somewhat subtly, this book had a message of the feminist movement, since the Scorpio Races were a male-dominated event until Kate arrived.

Overall, I found this novel to be a good read. It is definitely different than most books you could pick up from the shelves, but I would certainly recommend it.

– Leila S., 9th grade

Book Review: The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Posted on by

running_dreamThe Running Dream is a novel by Wendelin Van Draanen. It follows the story of a high school girl named Jessica who loses one of her legs in a school bus accident. This would be a tough experience for anyone…but Jessica is on the track team. She doesn’t just love to run – she considers running just as important as breathing! This book takes us through Jessica’s emotions, her mental and physical challenges, and her extraordinary journey to her “new normal” life.

I’m not a runner. In fact, I am more of a creative mind than a physical one. I wasn’t sure I could fully get into this book, but I could, and it was an awakening experience. Not only did it make me eager to experience the feeling of running so adeptly described by the author who is a runner herself, but I learned so much about life and its challenges.

There are just so many life lessons that The Running Dream takes the reader through. It is a worthwhile read for anyone, of any age. Empathy, compassion, and respect shine through as the reader learns that humanity shines through when understanding others.

(This book does not carry any inappropriate content and really is suitable for any age. It also has been awarded the Schneider Family Book Award; “it honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.”)

-Danielle L., 7th grade

Book Review with Music Pairings: The Left Behinds and The iPhone that Saved George Washington by David Potter

Posted on by

left_behindsThe Left Behinds are three kids whose parents are too busy to spend time with them.  So, they spend their Christmas with their Social Studies teacher at their New Jersey school.  But things take a sharp turn when Brandon starts messing with a MacBook.  While Mel and Bev are trying to stop him, their iPhones start acting up.  A whirl and a pop later, they find themselves next to a weird guy that looks oddly like George Washington.  And that’s not all.  General Washington has a gunshot wound to the chest.  They look at their surroundings and become aware of a barn with hay but no horses and a raging snowstorm outside.  What just happened???

The Left Behinds:  Brandon, Mel, and Bev go on a wild journey in time travel in 1771.  No.  Let me rephrase that.  Mel goes on a wild journey to save history, while Bev and Brandon are held hostage by the Hessians.  Right when this twist began, I thought of the Disney song, “Small World,” because it indicates that we do, in fact, have a small world after all.  In this setting, I believe we have a small past, present, and future world.  While these worlds cannot combine, the morals and lessons transcend the time periods.

As the story continues, Mel takes advice from Dr. Benjamin Franklin and rides across the river from Pennsylvania to New Jersey with the Continental Army through harsh winter storms.  I was reminded of another song.  “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas because of the struggle to find peace.  The song portrays General Washington’s effort to not rest until the colonies are safe from the Hessians.  The army gains victory; however, Mel, Brandon, and Bev find themselves tangled in yet another incident.  What will the Left Behinds do next?

I would rate this book a 9/10 for its historically credible story line, but I would have preferred the language to be less sarcastic.  This review is from an advance reader copy, so be sure to check it out January 15, 2015!

Maya S., 7th grade

Book Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Posted on by

and_there_were_noneIf you were to receive a vague letter that enticed you to an island for a pretext, would you still go? Such is the situation in the thrilling page-turner, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, ten people from different walks of life each receive a letter for a different purpose to go to Indian Island. But all of them have one thing in common: they all are indirectly involved with a person’s death.

In their rooms, at the mansion, each person has a framed copy of the poem: “Ten Little Soldiers.” After having dinner the first night, they all are in the living room when a gramophone announces each person’s name and whom they indirectly murdered. On the same night, Anthony Marston takes a sip from his drink and starts choking, an eventually dies. One by one each guest is murdered, and the guests who are still alive realize that the murderer is amongst them.

I thought this book was awesome. It was a real page-turner and I did not want to put it down. If you are looking for a great mystery-murder novel, then this book is recommended for you. As you read the book, you try to figure out who is the murderer. After you suspect one person, they turn out to be the next victim. This aspect of the book was fascinating to me. I won’t give much of the ending away, but the way the person executed their actions was improbable. Advised for anybody who loves suspense, read And Then There Were None.

-Anmol K., 8th grade