Tag Archives: book lists

Top 5 Books w/ Quick Summaries

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I thought I’d share a few books that’ll keep you inspired throughout the school year! 📚

  1. Stoner (John Williams): academic/campus genre; follows and explores William Stoner, a farmer’s boy who sacrifices his familial relationship in pursuit of literature. Throughout, he must face the failures within his career, workplace, and marriage, along with his losses as father to his daughter, whom he’s grown distant from. (10/10)
  2. 1984 (George Orwell): dystopian genre; follows and explores Winston Smith, a member of “the Party” who begins to retaliate (in quiet secrecy) against the totalitarian regime and its ruler, Big Brother. In this manner, Orwell examines the manipulation of truth (and thus facts) within politics, and how it impacts public opinion. (10/10)
  3. The Miniaturist (Jessie Burton): historical genre; filled with suspense, this novel follows and explores Nella Oortman, a young village woman who must face the challenges of love and obsession, twists and retributions, illusions and truth. For in Amsterdam, many secrets lie within. (10/10)
  4. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee): bildungsroman genre; Atticus (a Maycomb resident and lawyer), is tasked to defend Tom Robinson, an African American who is accused of raping a white woman. He takes on the case despite the public’s certitude (that) he won’t win. (10/10)
  5. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho): fantasy/allegorical genre; Santiago, a young shepherd, goes on an adventure to discover an unimaginable treasure. Throughout, he learns to listen and follow his heart’s path, and that his dreams/passions are in fact a part of a larger whole: the universe. (9/10)

Honorable Mentions: Book Series Edition! 

  1. Witchlands (Susan Dennard): though the series is not quite complete (just books one through four are out; book five has yet to be given a release date), it’s worth the wait! Check them out on goodreads for more information; https://www.goodreads.com/series/124183-the-witchlands  (5/5)
  2. The Book Thief/I am the Messenger (Markus Zusak): though they’re not a series (but rather two books from the same author), they’re good enough to earn a spot as honorable mentions! Check them out on goodreads for more information; https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief & https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19057.I_Am_the_Messenger  (5/5)
  3. Ash Princess (Laura Sebastian): good news; all three books from the trilogy have been released! Check them out on goodreads for more information; https://www.goodreads.com/series/191507-ash-princess-trilogy (4.5/5)
  4. The Renegades (Marissa Meyer): more good news; all three books from the trilogy have been released! Check them out on goodreads for more information; https://www.goodreads.com/series/208653-renegades (4.5/5)
  5. The Poppy War (R. F. Kuang): extra good news; all three books from the trilogy have been released (+ an added collection of short stories that can be read here: https://rfkuang.com/2020/12/01/the-drowning-faith/). Check them out on goodreads for more information; https://www.goodreads.com/series/243623-the-poppy-war (4/5)

-Emilia D.

2021 Summer Reading: Book Recommendations

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I am a bibliophile, and I am proud to admit it. I look forward to the summer as it gives me the time to spend more time with my books. Though I always look for new books to read, sometimes I just simply reread the books which has left a mark on me. Here is a list of my favorite books, not in any particular order. All of them are the ones which I have truly enjoyed and would recommend to my fellow bibliophiles:

  1. Wonder by R J Palacio: An awe-inspiring story about the journey of a boy with a craniofacial difference, who starts school for the first time after being home schooled for years.
  2. Auggie and me by R J Palacio: Stories about different characters from Wonder
  3. Matilda by Roald Dahl: A story of a bright little girl, who finds her inner powers to outwit those who don’t understand her.
  4. Where the Red Fern grows by Wilson Rawls: A novel about a friendship between a boy and two hunting dogs.
  5. Hoot by Carl Hiassen: A suspense novel where a newcomer makes two new friends and one enemy, and joins an effort to stop an activity which would destroy certain wildlife colony.
  6. Scat by Carl Hiassen: A mystery novel about a missing teacher and panthers
  7. The Giver by Lois Lowry: A story written from the point of view of an 11 year old boy, living in a futuristic society.
  8. The Maze Runner by James Dashner: A teen dystopian science fiction.
  9. The Outsiders by S E Hinton: A novel which details the conflicts between groups divided by socio economic status.
  10. Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle: A novel about journey through space and time, from universe to universe.
  11. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan: A series of five fantasy adventure novels based on a boy who discovers he is a demi-god
  12. Divergent Series by Veronica Roth: A powerful story about a futuristic dystopian world in which society is divided into factions
  13. The Harry Potter Series, by J.K. Rowling: Series of 7 fantasy novels chronicling the life of young wizards and witches
  14. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins: Series of three young adult dystopian novels that take place in a futuristic society which used to be North America
  15. The Hobbit Series and The Lord of the Rings Series by JRR Tolkien: A children’s fantasy novel of a boy on a journey through treacherous lands filled with dangerous creatures

-Anya P.

Authors We Love: Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl is the author of many fictional books for children.  Most of his books were illustrated by Quentin Blake.  I have always enjoyed these books as well as the illustrations.  Dahl uses very inventive language, including interesting words such as “gnazzle,” “knid” and “snozzcumber.”  His books are very funny and full of entertaining nonsense.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is about a boy named Charlie who lives in a small home with his poor family.  Willy Wonka, the owner of a famous chocolate factory, announces that five lucky children will be invited to tour his factory.  The children would be selected by finding one of five golden tickets hidden inside the wrappers of chocolate bars.  By sheer luck, Charlie receives one of the five golden tickets.  As the story unfolds, we discover the wild and zany rooms in Willy Wonka’s factory, and finally we learn the real reason why Mr. Wonka invited the children to his factory.

The BFG tells of a little girl named Sophie who lives in an orphanage.  Sophie is captured by a twenty-four-feet-tall giant, who takes her to a cave in a faraway land called “Giant Country.”  There she learns that the giant’s name is the “Big Friendly Giant,” or the “BFG,” for short.  The BFG is actually the runt of nine other giants, who are about fifty feet tall and are very wicked, unlike the BFG.  The other nine giants like to gallop off to different countries to gobble up about two to six people at a time.  Sophie and the BFG come up with a plan to put a stop to the other giants’ evil deeds.

In Matilda, a girl named Matilda learns how to read at a very young age, but her parents mistreat her and hardly even notice her talents.  When she starts school, Matilda encounters the giant, nasty headmistress named Miss Trunchbull.  The headmistress terrorizes the entire school until Matilda discovers special powers within herself.  This is my favorite of Roald Dahl’s books because of the charming characters and wonderful story.

Most of Roald Dahl’s books are about ordinary children who discover extraordinary things.  Dahl usually includes fantastical characters, such as man-sized insects and little people known as “Oompa Loompas.”  It is for good reason that his books are very popular and are considered classics for young readers.  I highly recommend these books to people of all ages.

-Oliver H.

The works of Roald Dahl are available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. They can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

12 Books to Read in 2020

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Happy New Year! One of my New Year’s resolutions is to spend more time reading new books, and I hope that this post inspires you to do the same. With that, here are 12 books you should read during the 12 months of 2020: 

  1. 1984 by George Orwell: This book highlights the importance of individual rights and freedom, and serves as a cautionary tale meant to warn readers of the dangers that the future may hold.
  2. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett: This classic mystery novel is a must-read for any enthusiasts of the genre. This suspenseful story is filled with action and intrigue and will keep you guessing until the very last page.
  3. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton: This is a very popular book read by students, and is known for its authenticity and powerful life lessons. Its characters are very relatable, and teach readers the importance of friendship and family.
  4. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck: Steinbeck tells the story of multiple characters living in Monterey, a town that relied on its fishing and canning industry. This story teaches readers resilience and the importance of a community.
  5. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Oftentimes, history is told from the perspective of the victors. However, this novel illustrates the Great Depression from the perspective of people that are struggling to find work, which makes it feel genuine.
  6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: This popular novel takes place in Nazi Germany, where a young orphan named Lisel learns to read and befriends a Jewish boy named Max that is hiding with her foster family. This story illustrates the importance of friendship and kindness and shows just how powerful words can be. 
  7. That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton: Although this is one of Hinton’s lesser-known works, it is an incredibly authentic and moving story that shows readers how our experiences change and shape who we are. 
  8. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: This well-known story is one of the greatest horror stories and works of science fiction in literary history. Frankenstein is an incredibly intriguing story that teaches integrity and compassion.
  9. Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Life of Pi is a survival story that uses metaphor to depict the dark side of human nature. Its gripping suspense and powerful symbolism make it a literary masterpiece, and a must-read for everyone.
  10. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand: This book tells the inspiring true story of a soldier in World War II, who is captured and held in a Japanese prison camp until the end of the war. He endures torture and abuse during his time at the camp and teaches readers resilience, strength, and perseverance.
  11. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: The Alchemist tells the tale of a boy on a search for treasure, and along the way, learns about the world and himself. This book teaches the importance of personal growth and discovery and shows that the real treasures in life lie within our hearts.
  12. 12. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: Wonder is an incredibly moving story about a young boy who faces bullying due to his appearance, but finds friends that support and help him. Another version of the book also tells the story from the perspective of one of the boy’s bullies, who is facing difficulties of his own that he tries desperately to hide. This books teaches compassion, empathy, and the importance of friendship, and is an essential read for everyone.

-Katie A. 

Book List: Books Worth Rereading

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There are some books I enjoy reading just once, and there are others I could read over and over without getting tired … I seem to enjoy them more every time I read them. 

Whether you’re looking for an excellent book that (I would consider) is worth owning, or you’re looking for a relatable blog post about one of your favorite books/book series, I hope this post helps!

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall: I think I’ve mentioned this series in three other blog posts—when writing about my favorite fictional characters, locations, and about a recommended series. As you can probably tell, I love this series so much! Not only is the writing, setting, and characterization amazing, but this is a series I could read countless times. The perfect amount of humor is mixed with depth and sisterly love, and the dynamics of the Penderwick family are realistic yet captivating. I read the first few books when I was younger and enjoyed them, but I enjoyed and understood them on a different level when reading them once I was a little older. Like many of the books on this list (and with other books that I like rereading), I feel like so many age groups can get something out of this series. The Penderwicks is the ideal series for me when I’m looking for a book that is fun and not stressful but steeped in meaning and intrigue.   

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead: The first chapter of this book can be disconcerting because the main character is addressing someone who readers don’t know about yet. By the time I had finished reading this book the first time, I had forgotten my confusion in the beginning. When I started to read it again, the beginning of the book was so much more understandable. I gained a new appreciation for the intricacy of the story, and I realized who the main character had been speaking to throughout the story. 

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I just had to put this here. As I grow up and as I continue to read Harry Potter, the story does not grow old for me. With every reread I pick up a little more: a funny detail, another character, another layer of depth. Each character, even if only mentioned once or twice, seems to have his or her own background and fictional life. Reading Harry Potter is so comforting, and the draw of the series’ characters, humor, writing, and world continues and expands with each reread.  

The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan: Among other things, my favorite part of this series is the characters. I love the individual personalities of the seven demigods and their acquaintances (often enemies) and friends. Riordan’s humorous descriptions of the world of Greek Mythology and his knack for characterization make his books entertaining—even the second or third cycle through the books.

Being familiar with certain books results in a comforting reading experience. I already am accustomed to the settings and characters, and this allows me to take in other components of the story that I have not noticed before. I find there’s something almost magical about books that can be read more than once–not all books hold the detail and layers I find in these books. With each reread, the words you read are the same, but what you get out of it could be quite the opposite.

– Mia T.

Top Reads of 2016

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Top Reads of 2016

Legend by Marie Lu

It was a book that had been on my reading list since it came out. However, I only just got around to reading it and couldn’t believe the adventure I’d missed. Lu tells an amazingly detailed story about a government soldier tracking down the most wanted criminal in the Republic. You can imagine what happens as the novice, June, and poor robber, Day, cross paths during her hunt. She falls for him on the street, unaware of his true identity, her target. She has to decide if avenging her brother’s death is more important than staying with this stranger she’s grown to love. Lu’s writing intrigues me because she focuses on small details that lead to the end of the story which most readers would find insignificant. This engages the reader to pay attention to the words they’re reading. I loved it so much, I just had to get the second book.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Like Legend, this book has remained on my list but I didn’t put it on priority. So when I found it at the Mission Viejo Library’s bookstore, I knew it was finally my time to discover the story. Hundreds of years into the future, this spinoff of the Cinderella takes place in a New Beijing in a world where androids are normal to help people with daily chores and sometimes cyborgs roam among the crowd. However, it isn’t easy when you’re not considered human and work as lowly mechanic. Especially when your stepmother and stepsister want nothing to do with you to begin with. When the letumosis disease, plaguing the city issues a cyborg draft, Cinder’s stepmother doesn’t miss her chance to sign up her daughter for an experiment no one comes back from. Not long after Cinder’s admission, the doctor finds there is much more to her than just a few missing parts. Meyer tells this dystopian story while still adding elements of the original fairytale, just like the rest of the books in her series.

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Paria Stolarz

I’ve done a review on this novel already, but I couldn’t help from mentioning it as it was a very memorable read for me. It was very different from most horror stories and took the word “nightmare” to a whole new level. Of course, this book ended with a cliffhanger and many unanswered questions, so I was ecstatic to find there was a sequel.

Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

A high schooler, Liz, tells the story from her point of view behind a camera lens, a perspective of the world as she sees it. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her best friend, Kate, decides to shut her out without warning or reason, and everyone whispers rumors and accusations behind her back. Suddenly, her world is out of focus and she tries to make sense of it all while still holding onto her friendship. This realistic story is told through a series of poems, which makes the events even more enticing and easy to follow along. I had to finish this book in one sitting because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages without reading what came next. I would definitely read this book again.

Sabrina C., 11th Grade

Top 5 Fictional Schools I’d Like to Attend

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hogwarts

image copyright Warner Bros.

1. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
After living in the wizarding world for the duration of the saga, who didn’t deny their muggle roots, and delude themselves into believing they possessed the ability to spell-cast? What if you could live in Harry’s world, where you would receive your attendance letter when you turn eleven and get shipped off on the Hogwarts Express for your first year (unless you’re a Squib, of course ) in September? My friends and I still reassure ourselves that our letters obviously got lost via owl post, and Dumbledore will make an exception when he discovers his tragic mistake… and we’re going on fourteen.
See also: Beauxbatons Academy of Magic or Dumstrang Institute of Sorcery

2. Camp Half-Blood from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
Don’t want to be a wizard? How about the child of a Greek god? Your friends would be your family (literally, for all the gods have some relation to one another; therefore, their children do as well). You’d have the opportunity to venture into the mortal world and perform dangerous tasks for the gods (which you would hopefully succeed). Plus, who wouldn’t want to be a demigod? I definitely would.
See also: Camp Jupiter from the Heroes of Olympus series (for those with Roman deity heritage)

gallagher_girls13. The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women from the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter
The girls who attend this school have reputations of rich, genius heiresses, but they’re really clandestine agents-in-training for the CIA, under cover. I would absolutely love to be trained in the art of espionage, and going to a school that specializes in just that? Now that would be awesome. 
See also: Blackthorne Institute for Troubled Young Men (I thought it was even cooler than the girls’ spy school! For those of you who have read the books, you know who the boys really are. Those of you who haven’t– read the books; you’ll find out.)

4. The Princess Academy from Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Every girl (okay, most girls…) wanted to be a princess at one point in time, whether you idolized Snow White, or someone a bit more like Mulan. At the Princess Academy, competition and challenges prevail in order to discover the best fit for the throne; whether its testing your poise and composure in times of danger or your tolerance when it comes to the immature practical jokes of your classmates, the Princess Academy separates the arrogant from the strong, and the smart from the intelligent.

alphas_cover5. The Alpha Academy from the Alphas series by Lisi Harrison
The Alpha Academy is a school for the next generation of powerful, influential woman (sorry, boys!), “without any distractions from the mediocre world.” The girls are forced to compete — after all, there can only be one Alpha — for worldwide fame, fortune, and guaranteed success in life. The series was… okay… (not exactly my cup of tea) but being the fairly competitive person I am, I absolutely fell in love with the idea of a school where it is a part of your everyday life; a place where females are dominant, manipulation of your peers is seen as resourceful on your fight to the top, and smarts are valued, and never overlooked.

What Hogwarts house would you be in: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, or Slytherin???

Who would be your godly parent??

What fictional school would you like to attend? 

Share in the comments!

-Danielle K., 8th grade

Contemporary Novels an Austenite Would Love

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Hey guys! I’m a huge Austenite (as in Jane Austen; Wikipedia her if you don’t know who she is… then go live under a rock 🙂 …just kidding!) and so I thought I would put together a list of a few books that a Jane Austen-esque lady would read– as in no bad words, no PG-13 stuff. So I have ten books for this month. That leaves a book every three days for you people who pace yourself. (I don’t.)

mysterious_benedict_cover1. The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
Really good first book in this series. Read if you like travel, adventure, and no romance.

2. Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale
A cute book about a girl in a small mountain village who finds out that she might have a shot at being princess. Chick-lit fantasy with a bit of romance.

3. The Mother-Daughter Book Club, by Heather Vogel Frederick
Super cute chick-lit for kind of younger audiences. I would recommend 6-8 grade.

4. When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
A really interesting book set in 1979 about time travel. It’s short but it’s definitely not a light read– this one will test your higher thinking skills

5. Once Upon a Marigold, by Jean Ferris
A good book for younger readers (or when you need a break from all those metaphorical books you read in English class) and has a sequel called Twice Upon a Marigold. They are really fun and lighthearted, but romance is a big theme– sorry guys.

6. Secrets of my Hollywood Life, by Jen Calonita
Awesome insight on what it means to be a celebrity “it” girl 24/7 and just wanting a normal life. Definitely chick-lit.

lightning_thief7.  The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan (and any other book Rick Riordan has written…)
Riordan is a great author whose books appeal to ages 10-18, give or take a few. His books are all about mythology and are super lighthearted, with lots of appeal for both a male or female reader.

8. Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer
An awesome book about a super genius 12 year old who always wins, when he wants to capture a fairy. This book is great for boys and girls, and I think all ages can appreciate Artemis’ cunning and… compassion?

9. Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine
Super cute book. I know all you girls that have read it are like, “I read that in the 3rd grade. I don’t want to read it again.” But trust me. It’s a super sweet book and it’s one of my all time faves.

10. Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull
This five book series is awesome– about a brother and a sister that go on vacation to their grandpa’s house and find out he is caretaker for a magical wildlife preserve. It is really funny and sweet. I’d say that it’s gender-neutral and for all ages.

-Becka O., 8th grade

Top Five Books to Read this Summer

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Summer Vacation. For many of us, these two words are magic. From about the second day of school in September to the last day of school in June, summer vacation is highly anticipated by most students. We look forward to the endless free time to do with as we please– and without reading assignments from English class, the ability to read what we wish too.

If you are looking for a summer reading book, here are my top five (Which I have read this last year when I probably should have been doing math homework):

revolution_cover1. Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly
A novel about a girl named Andi who finds a journal which takes her on a journey she would have ever expected. If you love: the French Revolution, music, Paris, or books that have strong, meaningful themes, then this is the book for you.

2. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
A novel about a girl living in Germany during World War II, told by an interesting and surprisingly sympathetic narrator. If you enjoy novels about World War II, stories about friendship, love, and compassion– if you are looking for a book that leaves a mark, a book that at the end of the story, haunts you after; then this is the book for you.

alice_wonderland_cover3. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll
Despite being thought of as a children’s book, Alice in Wonderland is a very smart, very funny novel. It is especially entertaining if you read it aloud and with voices. If you like novels that play with words, that make you question things, that make you laugh, and if you are reading aloud and using voices, makes you sound ridiculous, then this is the book for you.

4. Sophie’s World, by Jostein Gaarder
A novel about a girl who gets a letter from a strange, mysterious philosopher and begins to think in ways she never has before. If you enjoy philosophy, mystery books, or just thinking; if you have a high reading level and are at least fifteen; if you are looking for a book that may change the way you think about everything, then this is the book for you.

5. Your favorite book
Whatever it is, however long it is, you know you want to reread it. What better time is there to reread a book than during the summer?

For that matter, is there any season better for just reading than summer? I mean, without school eating up about seven hours of our day, we just may learn something new from the books we read this summer.

-Stephanie R., 11th grade

Book List: My Top 5 Favorites

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Need some ideas for your summer reading? I’ve got some good ones! Here are my top five favorite books, and why I love them.

turnabout_cover

1. Turnabout, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Haddix has a way of making science interesting. I haven’t read any book like this with the concept of unaging. (See my full review of Turnabout here.)

2. Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins
Collins makes books with action so interesting you feel like you are in them. When I read this, the second volume in the Hunger Games trilogy, I was always on the edge of my seat.

caught_cover3. Caught, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This is another book by Haddix that has to do with time travel. The story gets confusing sometimes, but in the end it all makes sense with a surprise ending. Caught is the fifth volume of the Missing series.

4. Scorpia, by Anthony Horowitz
Horowitz packs a lot of action in his series about Alex Rider, a sort of teen James Bond. It’s amazing how everything fits. In this book, the fifth volume in the series, there is lots of danger, and it’s cool how the characters survive.

mockingjay_cover5. Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins
I loved the finale of the Hunger Games trilogy! Collins is a great writer, and I hope she writes more books like this. I was glued to this book, and absolutely couldn’t put it down.

-Sabrina C. 7th grade