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Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

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fault_in_our_stars_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Two sick teenagers, destined to fall in love. Even if love is a powerful force, so is cancer, and in the small amount of time left for the two teens, Hazel and Augustus, love is what is keeping them alive. In The Fault In Our Stars, bestselling novelist John Green illustrates cancer in deeply moving, yet at times light-hearted, words. He mixes young love and the possibility of death into an emotional and memorable novel.

The story of their love is told by Hazel, a sixteen year-old girl with lung cancer, and surviving by luck with Phalanxifor, a drug that is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells, but it doesn’t work with seventy percent of the people who use it.  In Hazel’s life, she sees her job description as “Having Cancer,” but Augustus Waters helps her realize that she can still love without causing pain.

Cancer Kid Support Group is where the sparks fly in this book, and where Augustus and Hazel first meet. Augustus Waters, known to his friends as “Gus,” is a seventeen year-old boy who has cancer in his leg and had to get it amputated years before. Gus walks with a prosthetic leg, but every time someone asks him how he’s doing, he replies “grand,” even when he is stuck inside hospital walls.  Gus is what made this novel the most memorable because of his charm, sense of humor, and absolute compassion towards Hazel.

The Fault In Our Stars is also filled with other characters such as Hazel’s mother and Isaac, who not only help to make the story more real, but also show different types of personalities.  Hazel’s mom is just another one of those protective, caring, and emotional mothers’ who will do anything for her child.  Isaac has eye cancer and struggles with the fact that even people he loves end up betraying him when he is sick or in pain. Isaac is a interesting character and friend to Gus throughout the book.

Hazel admires and even idolizes an author named Peter Van Houten, who wrote a book called An Imperial Affliction. This book that he wrote was about an eight year-old girl with cancer, and has a huge meaning to Hazel’s life.  More importantly, the true significance to the book is that it brings Hazel and Augustus together. Hazel has been wanting to meet him all her life, and when Augustus comes in, her wishes become reality. Only Hazel and Augustus understand the meaning of An Imperial Affliction.  Their discussions of the book add an interesting element, and also develop their passion for each other.

Overall, Augustus Waters is truly the most important part of this novel. Without him, this book would just be another average story about how a teen girl had cancer, but add in Augustus, and not only do you get brilliant thoughts from him, but also a classic love story that will bring you to tears. Even when Hazel is at her worst, Augustus stays in the hospital waiting room for hours because he loves her. Augustus said once to Hazel, “Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who becomes their disease. I know so many people like that. It’s disheartening” (32). Without Augustus, Hazel would have drowned in her own thoughts of living with cancer, and never truly experienced life while she was on Earth.

Despite Hazel having negative emotions towards her disease and her life, she did have her moments, and I found that she was incredibly intelligent and thought-provoking. One day, when Hazel was contemplating her life and the old sad, swing set sitting in her backyard she said, “I tried to tell myself that it could be worse, that the world is not a wish-granting factory, that I was living with cancer not dying of it, that I mustn’t let it kill me before it kills me…” (121). This is a larger theme in the story: you mustn’t let your pain or sickness take your life away before it actually takes your life away; instead, focus on loving other people.

The Fault In Our Stars deserves one of the greatest recommendations I could give about a novel, and I would read this book all over again. The word choice and different, yet intriguing, emotions and interactions with other characters puts you right in the story.  It leaves you with a new outlook on love and your relationships with others.  John Green creates a new form of “forbidden” love in this novel, and Augustus Waters, who feared oblivion said, “That’s what bothers me the most, is being another unremembered casualty in the ancient and inglorious war against disease. I want to leave my mark.”  I strongly recommend that if you want to know what happens in the end with Hazel and Augustus, read this book.  It will leave its mark on you.

-Madeline H., 7th grade

Book Review: My Life in Pink and Green, by Lisa Greenwald

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my_life_pink_greenI got this book a couple of years ago, and ever since then, I have been dying to write a book review on it. This book is short and sweet, yet it has an unique plotline. Typically, I do not read novels over and over again; though this is one that I have practiced this on.

A homecoming queen with a beauty crisis comes in a pouting fit to Lucy Desberg’s family’s drugstore. The Desberg family’s drugstore is struggling to stay in business, however Lucy fixes this threating problem-temporarily. Although after the homecoming queen’s “disaster,” the drugstore becomes a center for beauty and makeup tips, Lucy is still not able to restore the drugstore into the state where it is the central hub of the town. Eventually, Lucy finds a solution that will keep the environment green, and ensure the capability of the drugstore. However, Lucy’s family is in a personal crisis themselves, with debt for expenses and a sister in college. Will the drugstore ever become “the place” again? Will Lucy’s family have to leave town?

This debut book is a great one indeed. While showing the usual ups and downs of being a teenager, a sense of responsibility and independence is introduced.

-Nirmeet B., 10th grade

Book Review: Someday Dancer, by Sarah Rubin

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someday_dancer_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Everyone agrees “that Casey Quinn is an unfortunate child: no money, no father, no nothing” (9). Yes, it is true Casey has nothing… but Casey’s love and passion for dance is stronger than anything else.

In the first book Sarah Rubin wrote, Someday Dancer, “it’s true Casey’s nose is too wide, she’s freckled from head to toe, and her ears even stick out like two mug handles” (4), but she does have grace. She “has more grace in her left little fingernail than new-to-school Miss Priss Ann-Lee and all those pinky-pink ballet girls put together” (4).  Will Casey’s grace, determination, and love of dance be enough to lead her to the Big Apple someday?

It is 1959 in Warren, South Carolina. Sarah Rubin’s bonny legged Casey Quinn, is dancing in the hot dry sun where the parched grass is sprouting up through the cracks, and crunches on every turn she makes. Casey Quinn is a long legged scrawny armed girl who is freckled from head to toe. She lives with her cakewalk Queen Gran and artistic Mama who both work at the hospital as cleaning ladies. They both inspire Casey because of their strong will and strength. Casey’s family does not have much money, especially after her father died in the war a few years before. Although she has never had dance lessons before, her dream is to someday become a dancer in New York City. But she doesn’t want to become any dancer; she wants to become a “real star” (6).

One day Priss Ann-Lee, a girl who just moved to Warren who is a bully and thinks she’s the better than everyone, told Casey about an audition for the School of American Ballet in New York City. Casey is determined to find some way to make it to that audition so she can dance in New York City. It will take all of Casey’s concentration and determination in order to reach her goal.

Someday Dancer is one of the only novels that has made me want to get up and dance and inspired me to reach my goals. Sarah Rubin makes great descriptions on the setting from Casey’s point of view. For example when describing New York City Casey assumes, “There are whole states between South Carolina and New York. I’ll bet New York City makes Warren look like an anthill. In a city like that, no one would know where you came from, no one would know you were poor or your father was dead. In a city like that, I could be anyone I wanted to be and no one would laugh at me for trying” (10).

Although the setting description is amazing, Casey is the main reason I love this novel so much. Her voice and determination ring clearly and made me connect with her even more. Rubin’s detail of Casey and the others around her was so descriptive; it felt as if I was right there with them and made them seem completely real with their actions and different personalities. At one point in the book I was so connected to Casey and her personality that I started crying. Casey persevered through anything that got in her way, and I think that is a true quality that lots aspire to get.

The most important theme in the story is to not let road blocks get in the way of your dreams. Casey demonstrated this by thinking about how important her dream was, and by having the strength to persevere through anything or anyone that got in her way no matter what. She won’t even let the priss stand in her way: “I don’t care. Priss Ann-Lee laughs like an ugly monkey, so who cares if she’s laughing at me” (3)? In order to fulfill her dream, though, Casey will need to drop all of her thoughts and emotions and put them into her dance.

Although the book takes place many years ago in 1959, the same circumstances of people trying to pursue their dreams still happen today. Additionally, since the book took place years ago Casey is able to meet important people in dance history in the book.

Someday Dancer is an amazing book of assiduity, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dance or who likes a thrilling adventure on perseverance. It is a great fiction book and is a surprising story about following your dreams. If you would like to find out what happens to Casey and her dream, you will have to read the rest of the book, and be prepared for a shocking modern twist.

-Skyler C., 7th grade

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

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fahrenheit451_coverFahrenheit 451 was a required reading book for me in my English class. At first I was like, ugggh required reading, right? ‘Cause who gets excited when they hear “required reading?” But once I started reading this book, I actually found it really interesting.

Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which books burn. The main character, Guy Montag, thinks his life is swell and everybody’s happy and life is perfect. Montag is a fireman, and all he has known his whole life is firemen receive an alarm, go to the house that has been accused, find all of the books, burn them AND the house they were in. He never questioned books or if their job was right to do. Even though he has “everything a guy needs,” he still tells himself every day that he isn’t happy.

This story is basically about Montag finding himself and searching for the missing piece of his life. One day, however, a mishap of timing and an act of courage change Montag’s life. After that, Montag is fascinated by books and longs to understand the words on the page in front of him. I suggest this book to all teens because it really opens your eyes to how lucky we are to be able to freely and openly READ!!

Have you read this book too? Comment and let me know– I’d love to hear your thoughts.

-Kelsey H., 9th grade

Book Review: Fly On the Wall, by E. Lockhart

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fly_wall_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Have you ever been transformed into an insect in a sticky situation? In E. Lockhart’s book Fly on the Wall, the main character Gretchen Yee is accidentally turned into a fly and is trapped in a locker room at Ma-ha, the Manhattan school for art. I have never been to Manhattan, but the E. Lockhart makes me feel like I was whisked away through her book that I could not put down. I really liked the book because of Gretchen Yee, because we both have similar interests and similar problems. One of the themes I noticed was ‘draw how you want to,’ like how Gretchen’s teacher would rather her draw in a different style than her current style.

Gretchen Yee stands by the trains conversing with her friend Katya, when suddenly she comes to a realization. Then she says to Katya, “‘I wish I was a fly on the wall of the boys’ locker room,’ I say” (66). The next day, she somehow magically transforms into a fly exactly how she wished it. Now, Gretchen has to spend possibly forever as a fly in the boys’ locker room!

Mainly in human form, Gretchen is my favorite character because she and I both like to draw and both of us would rather draw the way we want to instead of having people change our technique because they think their style is right. My mother always wants me to paint landscape pictures of the ocean or mountains, and Gretchen’s teacher wants her to draw with soft lines instead of comic-book style.

One of the things that I thought about in this book was a person who was given all the tools necessary to do whatever they wanted to do, but was not allowed to use those tools. She wants to draw how she feels she should, but is restricted by her art teacher. “‘Gretchen,’ she goes on, ‘I thought I made it clear that I can’t judge your progress if you continue to draw in this stylized manner. It’s been obvious since the beginning that you’ve got an admirable command of human musculature’ -another laugh- ‘but you’re not going to develop your own style if you keep imitating the hacks who draw for the Marvel Corporation.'” (45-46). Another thing was she wants to do is get into a relationship with someone named Titus, but feels nervous when another boy by the name of Shane hangs around. The book bombards Gretchen with conflict after conflict which keeps the story moving.

One of the main problems I had with this book was the language. This book may have been captivating, but the swearing level was too great for my preference. There was also in-depth detailed verbal description of male body parts I shouldn’t mention. Lastly, there were a lot of insults to those in a homosexual relationship. I did not find this insulting because I am not homosexual, but it was distasteful. These three issues were the main problems with this book. Others may find the book reasonable, but be aware of distasteful parts.

Overall, the book was captivating and relatable because of the problems and hobbies of Gretchen Yee. Although there was some swearing and some other problems like that, I still enjoyed the book and I still believe that you should draw your own style. I would rate this book four stars and recommend it to anyone who likes to draw, is comfortable with swearing and mature topics, and especially to anyone who wants to find out if Gretchen becomes a human or must stay as a fly forever.

-Blake S., 7th grade

Book Review: Bomb, by Steve Sheinkin

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bomb_coverBomb is a breath-taking, emotional book by Steve Sheinkin that shows the three-way race to building an atomic bomb in World War II, and while the war was going on, the race to find Uranium, TNT, and hydrogen.

From FBI agents to spies, everybody is trying to find out how far each team is, where their supplies are hidden, and what their plan is. The three racers, the Soviet Union, the Americans and the Germans, start off.  First the Germans give up, and then the Soviet Union is trying hard. They give up and the Americans drop the first bomb blowing up a city. Ultimately the Soviet Union is trying to make a super bomb that could destroy the earth eight times.  Welcome to the race of the Manhattan Project.

The story starts out with a prologue showing what happened at the very end, getting the reader excited and mystified. Then it shows the beginning life of a little boy named Robert Oppenheimer, a German, who later became one of the most successful scientists in making the atomic bomb. He was very focused on education. As he grew older, he became a teacher. The Great Depression had started, and he didn’t notice until ten years after it had begun.

Some new scientists by the names of Lise Meitner, Otto Hahn, Fritz Strassmann, and Otto Robert Frisch discovered a new scientific process in 1938 which could destroy human nature by taking one atom and shooting it at a Uranium atom which splits and causes fission this process was the basis in making the atomic bomb– hence the word atom. Scientists all over the world heard about it, and rumors went flying that someone could create an atomic bomb. Meanwhile the Americans were starting to get some ideas, and some scientists researched ‘Einstein’ for inspiration. Mr. Albert Einstein was found, and he agreed to help them not knowing what they will use the bomb for, later regretting he had ever joined the team in the first place.

The FBI caught on. This mission was top secret, the innocent American public did not know, but there was one person who needed to know:  Mr. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the President.

Meanwhile, the Germans and the Soviet Union were weakening under the pressure of the war started by Hitler. They began coming into the United States to try to find some information and steal the ideas from the Americans. Stealing each others’ supplies created a tense situation all the way to the end.

Using action, emotion, and high-quality writing, Steve Sheinkin‘s book Bomb was a fabulous, hard-to-put down book.  And you would have never guessed it was a true story.

-Maya S., 6th grade

Book Review: The Fire Within, by Chris D’Lacey

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fire_within_coverThe Fire Within is a book that entrances you and makes you marvel at even the smallest of details. It is most suitable for younger teens. Nevertheless, if you like dragons, you will probably enjoy this book. With countless twists and turns, it’ll always have you wondering what’s around the corner.

A young man that is going into college, David Rain, has no place to stay while he is in college, so he applies to be a tenant. Luckily, the Pennykettle family, who make clay dragons for a living, accepts his offer. When David first arrives, Elizabeth, the mother of the Pennykettle child, Lucy, makes a special dragon for David. They name this dragon Gadzooks. Shortly after Gadzooks is made, David sees an image of Gadzooks in his mind. Gadzooks, who holds a pad of paper and a pencil, writes something on his pad of paper and shows it to David. What is so special about this dragon, Gadzooks? What did Gadzooks write on his pad? And most importantly, what happens next?

In this exciting novel by Chris D’Lacey, you’ll nver want to miss a word of the story. With added elements of suspense and unpredictability, it’s a book that you would never want to pass up an offer on.

-Linna C., 7th grade

Book Review: Accidentally Fabulous, by Lisa Barham

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0-545-04667-XThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Although I have never had an opportunity to star in a movie about me, author Lisa Barham made me feel like I was born a movie star. Accidentally Fabulous is an exhilarating page-turner, and it teaches great moral lessons.

I felt really excited when Imogene and Evie, the inseparable main characters, reached “Fashion Fantasy Camp” in Hollywood, California. There plans to go to the spa and run a fashion show together really put me in their shoes. When I discovered that Imogene was world famous for being THE  “Hautelawgirl,” I was breathless! This meant that Imogene, ordinary New York Girl, was about to become an International Movie Star!

I liked how there were many obstacles between Imogene and Evie, and Imogene’s movie because it made the book come alive.

You can really learn a lot about friendship by reading this book because Imogene and Evie were were facing everyday friendship problems that you can probably relate to. Imogene finally realizes how much she needs her best friend when she says, “We’ll never be able to realize our dreams without each other.” This book really teaches you a lot about the value of having a friend, and how much you need each other, especially when you’re working on a major fashion project that can get you any scholarship you want in the fashion world!

This book does not only teach you about friendship, but betrayal too. Imogene can never know who she can trust with Shiela Hicks representing her, as well as her arch nemesis, Brooke! Imogene finds herself realizing this a lot, “I should have known better than to tell her anything!” After several scripts written in preparation for the movie, Imogene’s so called “friend,” Mia, decides to stab her in the back by copying her life and stealing her movie.Plus, movie star Dustin is “in love” with Imogene, just to get the juicy feed about her boyfriend, Paolo, so he can accurately play the role of him in her movie. Poor Imogene, faced with the curse of so much betrayal! If you want to find out how Imogene hurdles over these many obstacles, you”ll have to read this book!

You will  learn a lot from this book, and you”ll really enjoy it! Accidentally Fabulous is a phenomenal novel that you should definitely read!

-Rhea S., 7th grade

Book Review: Legend, by Marie Lu

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legend_coverLegend by Marie Lu is a young adult fiction novel about two fifteen year olds who inadvertently uncover military and government secrets in their dystopian society.

For me, there is nothing better than a book with a little bit of romance, a drop of mystery, and a whole lot of adventure. The author fulfills all of these expectations to the utmost and provides a great escape into a different world. With fantastic, realistic characters and a constant pace that keeps you on your toes, this book is filled with plot twists and unexpected revelations that ensure a reader’s enjoyment.

One thing that makes this book different from your average teen novel is the way Lu marvelously crafts the two main characters. Though they come from opposite sides of the “food chain,” they are not all that different when it comes down to wits and street smarts. In addition, this book is an excellent stepping stone between Young Adult and Adult books. This is due to the mature writing style of the author and the way it deals with government issues in a fictional society.

Legend is set in a city that used to be known as Los Angeles. It is now part of the Republic, one of the two warring nations in North America. This young adult dystopian novel is narrated by the two main characters June and Day. June was born into the upper class society and becomes the Republic’s prodigy after she receives a perfect score on her trial. Every twelve year old in the Republic is required to take this trial, a test that determines their future depending on their score. Children like June, who score high in their trials, are usually groomed for the military, one of the highest honors in the Republic. Day was raised on the other side of the tracks, in the poor sectors of the Republic, and scored poorly on his trial.  Now known as one of the most wanted criminals in the Republic, Day’s motives may be misunderstood.

Due to their social ranks, the two main characters are unlikely to ever meet. However, their paths cross when Day is accused of killing June’s brother, the only family she has left in the world. June, under the military’s guidance, promises that she’ll hunt him down and won’t stop until he is brought to justice. She goes undercover in the poor sectors of the Republic to find him. When she does, she uncovers a lot more about the government and her life than she ever would have imagined.

I highly recommend this book for teen through adult readers.

-Kaelyn L., 10th grade

Book Review: Ungifted, by Gordan Korman

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ungifted_coverUngifted by Gordan Korman is a hilarious novel about a trouble-making boy named Donovan Curtis.

After getting caught by the school superintendent, Dr. Schultz for hitting the Atlas Statue – in front of his school – with a fallen tree branch, causing the earth to roll down the hill, and then crashed into the doors of the gym, in the middle of a basketball game, Donovan had to be sent home because Dr.Schultz had to take care of the mess in the gym. The next day, the superintendent wanted to talk to Donovan, but could not remember his name. Dr. Schultz had written his name on a piece of paper, but now he could not find it.

The same day, after school, Donovan and his parents received a letter saying that Donovan was accepted into the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. Donovan was shocked, as were his parents. Donovan soon realized that when Dr. Schultz was writing down his name last night, it must have been on the piece of paper Dr. Schultz’s secretary asked for, which had the names of the students going into the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. Donovan then figured out that was the reason he had not been caught yet. He breathed a sigh of relief and enjoyed his freedom in the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. To do that he must fool people who’s IQs are above genius level.

Will the teachers there suspect him? Will he get caught? Will he be able to fool everybody? Read the rest of the book to unveil what happens and if he gets caught or not.

The book was hilarious and the setting was great, but I would not say it was the best book ever. I had high expectations because it was by Gordon Korman, and he is a great author, but it could have been better overall. I could totally relate to all the characters. The ending was not that great as I expected, in my opinion, but otherwise it was enjoyable.

-Anmol K., 7th grade