Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

The Wild Girls is about Joan, a girl who reluctantly moves to a new neighborhood. In the forest nearby, she discovers an eccentric girl who refers to herself as the “Queen of the Foxes”, or Fox for short. Joan and Fox become fast friends, and spend their time exploring and imagining. As Joan grows closer to Fox, and meets Fox’s father, Gus, she begins to learn more about herself and discovers a love for writing.

I was quick to judge when reading The Wild Girls: within the first two chapters I had already dismissed it as a trivial, juvenile book that wasn’t likely to be remotely unique. I began to find the story interesting and enjoy it a bit more when the girls join a writing program, and when Joan’s conflict with her family was brought more into focus. Altogether, readers of realistic fiction might be inclined to follow the colorful characters of Joan and Fox, but others might find the story somewhat bland. I would rate this story a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Review by Bear Xiong

Works Cited

"The Wild Girls Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 29 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/41099428

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Bianca doesn't connect with people well; she's extremely shy. She's deadly afraid of her first day at Evernight academy where her parents are both teachers. She decides to make a statement to her parents and run away from the gloomy castle of Evernight. Before she gets too far away from Evernight she meets Lucas who tackles her thinking she needs protection from something. Lucas is apparently also an Evernight student and Bianca finds it strangely easy to talk to him. Bianca finds Lucas attractive with his rumpled bronze hair and his perfect smile. They depart and Bianca can't wait to go to orientation in hopes of seeing Lucas again.

At Evernight there are two very distinct social groups: the perfect, snobby popular ones and the losers who didn't belong. Bianca, upon arrival realizes she's in the second group. In the main hall where all the students are assembled Lucas is nowhere to be found. Even after the headmistress has dismissed everyone Bianca can't find Lucas and she is disappointed, she thought Lucas and her had really connected, but apparently it was nothing special. In the next few days Bianca is walking to class with Patrice and she sees Lucas. She immediately runs over to talk to him and he acts as though he's never met her before. Bianca is crushed and feels completely alone once again. She tries to forget about Lucas but it seems impossible. What will happen next? Will Bianca and Lucas ever end up together? To find out these answers and more read Evernight by Claudia Gray.

Overall I thought that Evernight had an outstanding cast of characters that keep you reading until the very end. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars because the plot was full of twists and turns and it was one of those books that really makes you laugh, cry, and wish for more. I would highly suggest reading Evernight to all fans of Twilight.

Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"Evernight cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 29 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/4511060/book/41099007

Friday, January 23, 2009

Boost by Kathy Mackel


I really enjoyed the book Boost by Kathy Mackel. This book is about sports and how some people turn them into more than just fun. Savvy is a star basketball player and her older sister Callie is a flyer on a cheerleading team. Although their sports are very different, they are both looking to boost their game. When illigal steroids are found in Savvy's gym bag, she says they are not hers but no one seems to belive her. Meanwhile, her sister, Callie, is stuggling to keep her position as the star flyer on the team even after she is told she is getting too heavy and needs to drop some weight. How far will both girls go to stay on top? You'll have to read Boost to find out!

Review by FredrickO'Charles

Works Cited
"Boost Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 23 Jan 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40842502

The Compound by S. A. Bodeen

In a world where supposedly everything has been destroyed from nuclear war, one family survives. When warning of an attack came, Eli Yanakakis and his family escaped to an obscure, underground structure called the Compound, built by Eli's father, a rich and powerful figure. The doors to the outside are locked for 15 years, when nuclear radiation is supposed to dissipate, and can only be opened before with a password that only Eli's father knows. Unfortunately, they are running out of food, and having no choice, Eli's family turn to drastic solutions. It is during this time that Eli finally stumbles into the room meant to be for his twin brother Eddy, who along with his grandmother, did not reach the Compound in time. Eli suddenly notices that Eddy's laptop, which still had an Internet setup, was briefly connected to the Internet. Through a series of events, Eli and his siblings begin to question their father's actions, until they finally realize the horrible truth. This great novel provides constant surprises and twists, and will make you want to finish it in one sitting.

Review by I. Kanreed

Works Cited
"The Compound Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 23 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40842054

The Devil's Breath by David Gilman

From the very first sentence, “The killer, like many assassins, came in the night”, to the dramatic conclusion, The Devil's Breath is action packed. And, unlike some popular books, like the Maximum Ride series, this book has a plot too! The only problem with the book is that there is a little too much of the supernatural. When 15-year-old Max Gordon’s father goes missing, Max journeys to South Africa to find him. However, this adventure is made much more difficult by mercenaries, giant sinkholes, and sabotage. This exciting novel deserves 4 1/2 stars.

Review by Demosthenes Pleasant

Works Cited
"The Devil's Breath Cover." Online image. LibraryThing 23 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40841701

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Quest by Kathleen Benner Duble


Quest is a historical fiction book about the time when the crew of the Discovery try to discover a passage to the east. Different parts of the book are told by one of four people; John Hudson, the son of Henry Hudson Henry who is the captain of the Discovery, Richard Hudson, who was the brother of John, Seth Syms, a boy who was trying to escape from someone and replaced his cousin Nicholas on the Discovery, and Isabella Digges, who has fallen in love with John. I like how this book is told from four different points of view, and it’s not the kind of book that uses sailor terms.
I would give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

Review by cecx2

Works Cited
"Quest Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 13 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/5046595/40437245

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

Fairy Tale Detectives, part of The Sisters Grimm series, is a hilarious novel about two girls, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, who are orphans. They have theoretically not relatives and have been tossed around to many foster homes. When someone who claims to be their "Grandma Grimm" shows up, the girls are a bit skeptical about following her to her home in Ferryport. But soon Sabrina and Daphne find out that things aren't always what they seem in Ferryport.

I think everyone should read this novel! It's a book that you will never be able to put it down!

Works Cited
"The Sisters Grimm Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 8 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40236526

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka

Most of us probably head straight to the fiction section of the library, forgetting about the biography and autobiography sections. So if we never venture into that unpopular library section how much will we miss out on? Are there interesting or perhaps even entertaining books that we won’t ever know about? Honestly, I would usually keep my distance between the biography section and myself. However, after recently reading the hysterical book Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka, I saw that there actually are some great autobiographies.

Knucklehead is an autobiography of Jon Scieszka, the editor of Guys Write for Guys Read and the hilarious co-author of books such as The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! and The Stinky Cheese Man. His autobiography focuses mainly on his incredible boyhood and growing up in a family with six mischievous boys. Scieszka and his brothers were deemed “knuckleheads” by their father, which, after each amazing act of stupidity and their never-ending monkey business, is proven to be true. I really enjoyed reading this book and often times found myself laughing out loud. From breaking his brother’s collarbone four times, tying his little brother to a bed with his father’s ties, tying a babysitter up in a closet for two hours, and some crazy road trip adventures, this book is full of laughs! There were also tons of great pictures and drawings included along the text. This book was very funny and was a pleasure to read. As an autobiography, I give Knucklehead high praise, and would rate it three stars compared to all books.

Works Cited
"Knucklehead Cover." Online Image. LibraryThing. 08 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40236172

Into the Volcano by Don A. Wood

Into the Volcano is an interesting new graphic novel about two brothers who go on a trip to Hawaii, where some of their relatives live. The boys get more than they signed up for, as a "research trip" into an exploding volcano reveals the true reason they are there. Sumo, the timid and less athletic brother, also must overcome his weaknesses, and his experience in the volcano changes him. Meanwhile, the brothers meet up with an unexpected person, and must escape from the volcano. This graphic novel has some great, almost cinematic drawings, and is as much about the artwork as the story. The plot, however, can be somewhat unrealistic at times. Still, this book is an exhilarating and breathtaking experience, that older and younger kids can both enjoy.

Works Cited
"Into the Volcano Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 8 Oct. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40235533

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Wowsa! I got hooked into this book. I had heard from a couple students and other librarians that it was a book I shouldn't miss. I agree! Although I think I actually hollered out at the end because it left me hanging and waiting for book two...

Katniss is chosen as the District 12 girl competitor for the annual Hunger Games. The games consist of 24 teens, two from each district. Life is hard in District 12, and Katniss and her best friend, Gale, have to scrounge and hunt illegally in order to help their families survive. When she travels to the capital Katniss and Peeta, the boy competitor from District 12, have to compete in the games and try to outwit and outlast the other contestants in a game of life and death that is manipulated for the interest of the viewing audience. With a little bit of everything, this book will appeal to a wide audience. There was action, adventure, fights to the death, and even some romance. This book kept me turning the pages and the end left me hanging and hungering for the sequel.

Works Cited
"The Hunger Games Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 8 Oct. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/7251909/book/40233646