Teen Read Week: Surviving Antarctica, Reality TV 2083

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Anmol K.

Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White is an adventure novel about a group of five fourteen-year-olds with different backgrounds selected for surviving together in Antarctica. In the year of 2083, society has changed. The government still exists, but the way the country is being run is different. Television is a major part of everyday life. The government has added a Department of Entertainment because most things, including education, are learnt through television. Schooling beyond high school is only possible by a process called The Toss. Otherwise, you are on your own for schooling.

The Department of Entertainment makes a series of programs called Historical Survival. This series takes important historical events and does reenactments with people (contestants). This time, the Department plans on an Antarctica Historical Survivor, but instead of adults being contestants, kids will be. Without the possibility of an education beyond the eighth grade, Andrew, Robert, Billy, Polly, and Grace are selected as the contestants for the Antarctica Historical Survivor. Surviving the bitter cold, these fourteen-year-olds must muster up courage to survive.

Picking up this book, I was intrigued by the plot line. The premise of the book was appealing to me. I am a fan of the genre of survival/adventure and this book is right up my alley. Generally, the book was okay. I liked the beginning and how each of the characters was introduced in their unique ways. As the story continued, I started losing interest. For me, at least, the book was written in very basic language, making it slightly boring to get through. As I continued, the book picked up when the kids reached Antarctica. I admired how they were brave and how they bore the cold. Overall, Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 is a good book for anyone looking for an adventure novel.

-Anmol K.

Book Review: Never Fall Down, by Patricia McCormick

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Erika T.

Have you ever heard of the Khmer Rouge? Or the infamous Killing Fields?

During the mid ’70s in Cambodia the communist group, Khmer Rouge, were the force behind a terrifying genocide. Patricia McCormick tells the true story of a young boy’s horrifying experience during this time.

Never Fall Down is a true story that takes you on the shocking and terrible life experience of one boy who lived in Cambodia at this time. The boy’s name is Arn and he was taken first from his home, then from his family by the Khmer Rouge. Arn was taken to a camp based on his gender and age. At the camp Arn was forced to work on the rice fields. The lifestyle was very tough. One day, the Khmer Rouge soldiers asked if any of the boys could play an instrument. Even though Arn has never played anything in his life he volunteers because he knows this will save his life. Later, Arn somehow find himself in the middle of the place we know today as the Killing Fields. Then Arn is handed a gun and is sent to battle with the other boys still alive. “He lives by the simple credo: ‘Over and over I tell myself one thing: Never fall down.”‘

This story exposed me to a huge event in history that I never knew happened. I had never heard of the Khmer Rouge or the Killing Fields. Never Fall Down made me come close to tears. Arn’s struggles are so traumatizing. It made me wonder what I would do in a situation like his. It is a very touching story. This story showed me how scary it is to be a child in the middle of a war. At times while reading this book I forgot I was reading about history. Instead I thought I was reading a survival novel.

I personally don’t like to read books on history or war but Never Fall Down is one of my few exceptions. It takes you on a boy’s journey that starts in a happy home and ends with his search for freedom. I recommend this to every teen. It helped me understand the life struggles of the many immigrants that came to America during the ’60s and ’70s. I advise that you be prepared for many deaths and heartbreaking moments. I love this book so please go check it out.

-Erika T., 8th grade

Book Review: Under the Never Sky, by Veronica Rossi

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Becka O.

I don’t know if you have heard of this book. It’s become bigger recently but it isn’t the most popular title in my library. However, it is an interesting read and a very unique take on dystopian lit.

This isn’t the ordinary, “girl lives in society – society is corrupt – girl rebels and becomes an outcast. – falls in love with a rebel boy – take down corrupt society or government together – the end.” There are definitely those elements in this book, but there’s also cool new technology and a fresh new writing style. It does share elements with Divergent,
The Hunger Games, The Selection, Uglies, etc. However, I thought it was more than the generic dystopian book that has seemed to take Barnes and Noble by storm.

This book takes place in a world where civilized people live in pods and for them to go outside would mean certain death. Aether, the energy that fills the sky, has been zapping the ground for 6 generations. First it started fires and then it started plagues. There are tribes that live in the wild, savages, but for the average citizen, outside the pods is called the death shop. Even to breathe the air is certain death. So when Aria gets dropped off in the middle of the desert after an attempt to find her mom that kills three of her peers she is certain she will die and never see her mother again. But with the help from a Savage named Perry, she learns to survive and fight. But she continues to hunt for her mother.

This book was not extremely well written but the world Veronica Rossi creates is a fascinating concept that has not really been touched by a lot of dystopian authors. I thought that the storyline was good and the plot twists came out of nowhere. I would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian or wants to try something new.

-Becka O., 8th grade

Book Review: Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Phillip Xiang

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a riveting novel about Brian Robeson, a thirteen year old boy whose parents are recently divorced. He flies to Canada in a small plane to see his father. During the flight, the pilot has a heart attack, dooming the plane to a messy crash. Being the only other person on the plane, Brian takes control of the plane, and unsurprisingly crashes it (duh). Fortunately, he manages to land into a lake, and escapes with only bruises.

After overcoming his shock, he gets to work building a shelter and collecting berries. In his hand is his trusty hatchet, given to him by his mother. Over the next few months, Brian defies all odds, surviving in the wilderness alone. He hunts for fish, makes fire, and scavenges food. Eventually, rescuers to come, but he misses his window of opportunity. Undoubtedly, Brian’s confidence and spirit is shaken. Eventually, he manages to turn his deteriorating resolve, and faces his new challenges with confidence. He hunts and constructs tools, along with the occasional excitement of a moose or skunk attack. Still, knowing he’s only thirteen, we can’t help but admire his clear thinking and determination.

Paulsen’s book is as much a thrilling adventure as it is philosophical. Brian’s woes are not depicted as tiny trifles the hero has to overcome. Brian faces each problem with the same mindset that a normal person does. We know his thoughts, turmoil, and desperation every day. This makes it easier to connect with him as a reader, knowing he’s an average kid rather than a superhero. Also, his physical challenges are just as hard as they would be in real life. Build a raft with logs? Easier said than done. A sense of realism gives the story a more exciting feel.

Overall, this book will be enjoyable for everyone. The vocabulary and structure aren’t difficult, so younger kids can read it. All the same, teens and adults will enjoy it for both its simplicity and detail. Give it a try! When you’re done, there’s an alternate ending and a sequel waiting for you.

-Phillip X., 8th grade

Book Review: The Raft, by S.A. Bodeen

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Sabrina C.

Sixteen-year-old Robie just wants to grow up. When she finds out she could stay with her Aunt Jillian, AJ, for a few weeks, she is so excited. AJ lets Robie do anything, so there areno rules. But when her aunt has to leave in the middle of her stay, Robie is all alone. She thinks she is mature enough and responsible enough to take care of herself. The day after her aunt leaves, Robie starts to question her ability to handle difficult situations when bad things start to happen. She knows she isn’t ready, so she decides to go home the next day.

She boards a cargo plane, with a family-friend as the pilot, Larry. She knows him and trusts him, so even though she is the only passenger, she isn’t worried. There is also a new co-pilot, Max. She thinks this is just another ordinary flight, but it’s not. When they are flying, there is a storm ahead. They try going straight through it, but the engine fails. Next thing they know, they are falling to the sea below.

When Robie comes to, she finds herself in the middle of the ocean, in a raft, with Max. They have no food, no water, and no help. She starts to think about everyone she will never see again – her family, her friends. She knows they are doomed.

Will they make it? There is only one way to find out.

This story is fantastic! I couldn’t put it down. This is a real page-turner. It has so many twists and unexpected events. It’s a thriller, so I would recommend this book for people who love suspense. There are some intense scenes, but not too scary. I think there should be a movie, so people can really see how the action brings the story to life. This book is definitely in my top ten favorites.

-Sabrina C., 8th grade

Book Review: Lord of the Flies, by William Golding

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Robert N

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be stuck on a stranded island with other people, oh wait, I’m sorry– I mean, other kids? Imagine all that freedom! But could all that freedom lead into something horrible or evil?

Well then, you should read Lord of the Files by William Golding. A fictional story taking place in the “near future,” it is a story about a group of boys who crash land on a stranded island. They all realize later that there are absolutely no adults that survived the terrible crash. This book has some suspenseful moments that keep you reading until you literally fall off your chair.

Mr.Golding also did a wonderful job using figurative language to describe his beloved, and ruthless characters and the strange and creepy island the boys are on. I must say, though, that you have to be at least in 8th grade to read this book. The reason is because there are many scenes that do have some violence that may not be suitable for a 7th grader or below. Also because many times in the book the author tends not to say what is happening or actually what happened. The author really wants you to figure out what is actually happening, he wants you to analyze the story.

If there are any readers out there that really like suspenseful, and adventure type books, this is the book for you!

-Robert N., 10th grade

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