I am...Sasha Fierce

I am...Sasha Fierce

By: Beyonce
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: Really liked it


Beyonce, the phenomenal singer ever since she was a teenager with Destiny's Child, has still got it! She's back, and she keeps getting better! And she has an alter ego, Sasha Fierce!

Now that the Grammys have been announced, she has won five Grammys out of the eight she has been nominated for. Including the five, she won 'Song of the Year' for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)".

Personally, I have loved her voice and the high notes that she can hit. My personal favorites are "Halo", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)", "If I were a Boy", and "Sweet Dreams". Most of the songs as she said were based on her own experiences. During an interview, she said that "Sweet Dreams" was based on how she dreamed that her lover would still be here, not just in the dream. I think that this album is better than he last one "B-day" but it is just as good, if not, better than her first solo album, "Dangerously in Love".


Recommended to: Beyonce Fans, etc.

Singin' in the Rain

Singin' in the Rain


Directed By: Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: Really liked it


The AFI's (American Film Institute) Top 100 movies, recently updated in 2008, has put "Singin' in the Rain" at number 3. I think it deserved to be on the list which signifies how good the movie is, how much impact the movie brought, the popularity back in 1951-1952 when it was released, etcetera because of many reasons.

The movie which is about the biggest transition in Hollywood, going from silent movies to talking movies, movies that have actors/actresses talking, singing, and playing music. That took place around the 1920s. We also see a rise in musicals. Also, the movie stars Gene Kelly (the awesome, phenomenal dancer), Donald O'Connor (fantastic comedian), and Debbie Reynolds (pretty good singer). But the character Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) is one whom you'll love to hate because of her blonde, air-head, spoiled princess type of voice.

Overall, the movie is fabulous because of the plot, the music, singing, dancing, and everything else. I know it may seem old but for crying out loud, we have classics!


Recommended to: Movie buffs, etc.

Dead is the New Black

Dead is the New Black


By: Marlene Perez
Reviewed by: Ally, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


I LOVED THIS BOOK I WANT TO BE A CHEERLEADER TOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Recommended to: EVERYONE

The Book Thief

The Book Thief


By: Markus Zusak
Reviewed by: Christopher A., 17
Rating: It was amazing!


The Book Thief deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary Of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel's Night. Today it is hard to find story's that really do appeal to the heart. This book is the best so far that I have ever read in my lifetime.


Recommended to: Everybody

Thirst Vol. 1

Thirst, Vol. 1


By: Christopher Pike
Reviewed by: Christopher A., 17
Rating: It was amazing!


In the first Volume of Thirst, Alisa A.K.A "Sita" is a 5,000 year old vampire who feeds but does not kill if she totally has too. She lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator returns to hunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive.

I thought this book to be a good read with an easy to follow story not like that of the Twilight series. It was high- paced, awesome, and somewhat sexy. I guarantee you if you pick up this book, you wouldnt be able to put it down.


Recommended to: anyone that wants to read a very cool vampire book

Lament

Lament


By: Maggie Stiefvater
Reviewed by: Baby Roo, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


In this first book of Maggie's faerie series, a girl named Desiree is going to perform at a music concert(finally)with the guy of hher dreams. Later on after they have started "dating", she finds out he is really a faerie assassin. After he says he doesn't want to kill anymore and he justs wants to be with her, her best friend, James, and her boyfriend, Luke, disappear.Can she find and save both her best friend and lover's lives? Or will only one be rescued? Read this romance to find out.


Recommended to: Faerie lovers

StarStruck

StarStruck


Directed By: Michael Grossman
Reviewed by: Baby Roo, 13
Rating: It was alright...


This movie was really cute. This girl named Jessica goes off with her family on a trip to visit her grandma in L.A., California. Wherever her sister goes, Jessica is pulled around with her. When Jessica's sister takes her to a birthday party where superstar Christopher Wilde is supposedly supposed to be, Jessica's whole life is turned around forever. Can she deal with the popularity or will it break her heart?Watch this new Disney movie to find out.


Recommended to: All Ages

Dragon Book

Dragon Book


By: Jack Dann (editor)
Reviewed by: Baby Roo, 13
Rating: Really liked it


This was a very cool mixture of writings from various kid and teen authors. A few are: Jonathon Stroud, Garth Nix, Bruce Coville, and Tamora Pierce.

Obviously by the title's name, The Dragon Book holds stories about . . . dragons! There are nineteen different tellings in this book about dragons, and all from different perspectives. In one it's from a knight's view; in others it's from thee dragon's point of view. There is also on efrom a dragon assassin's point of view.To read how dragon's survive(and how they die), read this book to find out!


Recommended to: Everyone

Point Blank

Point Blank


By:Anthony Horowitz
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


This book is the second the series. Anthony Horwitz 2nd book is about a spy named alex rider. He is not your usual spy, because he is a boy, a 14 year old. But as Alex embarks on a new mission from the M16 ( the british spy agency) Anthony Horwitz pulls of 200 pages of action packed reading. The mission young alex is sent on involves the deaths of two officials who were killed in a way that seems unrelated but as the M16 finds they both sent their sons to a special academy for problem childs. When there children arrived back there behavior had changed, but when the parents get into an argument with the boys they died a week later. Apparently it seems the children could be the cause of this but the only way to prove it is to send someone in someone who will fit in... This book will keep the reader turning pages and wanting for more. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a suspenseful read.


Recommended to: anyone

Avalon High

Avalon High


By: Meg Cabot
Reviewed by: Tahrima, 13
Rating: Really liked it


Being a new student at Avalon High has been exciting for Ellie, to say the least...she's an honor student, a star on the track team, and oh, yeah, dating the super-hot class president, Will. Who also happens to be alleged reincarnation of King Arhtur.

Ellie couldn't be happier to have Will in her life, but she's also worried that his estrangement from his parents is tearing him apart. To make matters worse, Will's doubt that he really is King Aruthur could prevent the Merlin Prophecy—an age of enlightenment—from occurring. Can Ellie convince Will to believe in something that even she isn't sure about? And more importantly, can she get him to give his parents another chance?


Recommended to: teens, comic lovers

Endgame: Vol. 1, The Problem of Civilization

Endgame: Vol. 1, The Problem of Civilization


By: Derrick Jensen
Reviewed by: Matt G., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


An uninhibited statement of the abusive and destructive nature of all civilized culture, that brings the reader in with a horrifying look at how violent and horrid our own culture is. But behind all the reasons to overthrow our destructive system are several basic premises, such as: 'Love does not imply pacifism' and 'Civilization is not and can never be sustainable. This is especially true for industrial civilization'.

If you read this, be warned, Endgame will sober you up from the long term high the is suburban lifestyle with a harsh dose of reality. It relates personal abuse and struggles from the author's childhood and early adulthood to abuse and destruction that's enacted by civilizations since the beginning of recorded history. Moreover, it shows how soporific and futile the corporate idea of 'Going Green' is, as it allows for such entities to exist and appear benevolent instead of malevolent as they truly are.

I highly recommend this, and hope that it instills in you a burning desire for true freedom and a healthy (or at least nonradioactive) life for future generations of human and nonhuman people. Also consider reading: 'As the World Burns, 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Stay in Denial'


Recommended to:

Bleach (Deluxe Edition)*

Bleach (Deluxe Edition)*

By: Nirvana
Reviewed by: Matt G., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


However stupid it seems to be review the same album again, I'm doing it anyway. Let me say that the live stuff the added was amazing, and by the time 'Negative Creep' came on I couldn't help but thrash to the glorious sound of all my rage, teen angst, depression and other swirling emotions being released in such a short time. Listening to 'Bleach' again and more thoroughly was cathartic, I was unable to stop dancing to the angry, fuzzy and raw sound of the music until I collapsed onto my bed.

track listing:
1) Blew
2) Floyd the Barber
3) About A girl
4) School
5) Love Buzz
6) Paper Cuts
7) Negative Creep
8) Scoff
9) Swap Meet
10) Mr. Mustache
11) Sifting
12) Big Cheese
13) Downer
[additional material]
14) Intro
15) School
16) Floyd the Barber
17) Dive
18) Love Buzz
19) Spank Thru
20) Molly's Lips
21) Sappy
22) Scoff
23) About a Girl
24) Been a Son
25) Blew

After my second listening, 'Bleach' (in either form) is on my list of perfect albums.


Recommended to: hard core grunge fans

*The library does NOT have the Deluxe Edition...yet.

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean


By: Justin Somper
Reviewed by: Bekah, 15
Rating: It was amazing!


I realy liked it. Conner and Grace Tempest go on a adventer that puts them in grave danger with pirates and vampires.


Recommended to: nyone who loves to read about Pirates and or Vampires

Blood on the River

Blood on the River


By: Elisa Carbone
Reviewed by: Jewel, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Samuel Collins was practically nothing in society's eyes; he was a street urchin, an orphan, and even a thief. It seems as though luck is shining on him when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the Susan Constant, bound for the New World. He's heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first encounter with the native indians, Samuel realizes that the New World is nothing like he imagined. The lush Virginia shore where they settle is both beautiful and forboding, and it's hard to determine friend and foe. The settlers' troubles are just beginning-the summer of 1607 brings mysterious illness, and winter brings starvation. It's soon clear to Samuel that the ways of the English don't always work in this unfamiliar land. The settlers need to find new ways. As he learns the language of the Algonquian Indians and observes Captain Smith's wise diplomacy, Samuel begins to see that he can be whomever he wants to be in this new land.


Recommended to: Any lovers of history and a good, thrilling story!

The Time Paradox

The Time Paradox


By: Eion Colfer
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


The latest in the Artemis Fowl series is one of the best. In this installmetn Artemis's mother has fallen ill to what appears to be Spelltrophy, a fairy virus. Artemis manages to get fairy assistance and travels back in time, for that is were the cure is located. 4 years ago when Artemis himself killed the animal who harbors the cure. Through the rest of the story Artemis, Holly, and Mulch the Dwarf ( from the past) struggle to capture the animal from younger Artemis and take it back to the present. But is that all this whole adventure is, a disease and its cure, or is there a more sinster plot here readers will be thrilled by the action and will have to work there brains on the whole "time paradox concept". Eion Colfer continues to please his readers.


Recommended to: anyone

The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys


Directed By: Joel Schumacher
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: Really liked it


Two brothers and their Mother move to Santa Carla, murder capitol of the world. New place, which means new enemies.

What's cool, is how each character is involved. Michael is my favorite, because he has this cool attitude about him (not to mention he is cute). Sam the young brother, meets the Frog brothers, who claim they are vampire hunters. I can't imagine this movie without the Frog brothers.

They bring the movie, some sense of action. Because they are aware of the vampires. The soundtrack of this movie, is cool. It has this horror character driven based sound to it. Fans of the movie, know what I mean.

The title, "The Lost Boys" fits this movie. That's what I liked about it. "The lost boys" is a clear reference to the Peter Pan story. The vampires in this movie, are all about having their fun, and basically having enternal youth. Never dying.

So yuppers, this movie is good. Another reason why this movie is a WIN, is because the vampires don't SPARKLE!!!


Recommended to: People who love horror, comedy, etc.

The Lost Colony

The Lost Colony


By: Eion Colfer
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: Really liked it


Artemis Fowl's fifth book is the best of them all. In this installment Artmeis Fowl is 14 years old and this story starts as Holly Short, past LEP police captain is sent to rescue demons, yes demons, when they arrive in the present time. This is as usual to stop the fairy and human worlds from colliding .But there is also a new charecter in the story, a new genius, not as evil as Artemis but she is definetly not any dummer. When she captures a demon, a ver powerful one as it seems, Butler, Artemis, and Holly must rescue him. While trying to stop the two worlds from colliding Artemis And holly are transported into a alternate time....

Will they make it out, and will they be the same?

This installment is sure to please all readers.


Recommended to: anybody

The Eternity Code

The Eternity Code


By: Eion Colfer
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: Really liked it


Artemis fowl is still stirring up trouble for the people of the fairy world when he tries to blackmail a large sum of money out of a busnessmen by the name of John Spiro to hold back a very advanced (for humans), stolen, fairy technolagy. But spiro pulls a fast one on young Artemis Fowl and takes the technolagy. And while trying to protect Artemis, Butler is shot dead by spiro's bodygaurd. Will Artmeis be able to save Butler and get the stolen technolagy back? Well luckily he has the help of Holly Short and Mulch diggums. An underground police officer and criminal respectivly. Another bit of luckt hat helps the group is that the technolagy or cube as artemis has named it needs artmeis to open it. And dif they group of sudden commrades doesn't get the technolagy back the fairy world could be exposed. When Spiro captures Artemis it seems the plan has gone amiss.... but has it?

The third installment in this series gives Eion colfer's usual good writing and beutiful use of suspense. Eion colfer's third will be sure to thrill all reader's.


Recommended to: anybody

The Arctic Incident

The Arctic Incident


By: Eion Colfer
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: Really liked it


In the second artemis fowl eion colfer will continue to please his readers witha sequel to the original Artemis Fowl. In this story Artemis is looking for his father and is on the verge of embarking on a rescue mission when the LEP apprehend him on suspected charges. The interview turns into a deal and In exchange for help with their prolment Artemis wants help on his. But will his problem take a backseat in what may become an underground war, litterally? This sequel has faires and humans working together, a first in a long time. Will the species duo defeat an underground goblin uprising and can they save Artmeis' father in time? The action and suspensful plans courtesy of Artmeis fowl will make any reader burn the midnight oil to finish.


Recommended to: anybody

Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace

By: Three Days Grace
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: Really liked it


Three Days Grace is every Rock music lovers favorite. And this album definetely didn't dissapoint this band's long awaiting fans. Personally, I enjoyed everything about this album except for I thought that some of the songs were slightly repetitive. And by that i mean that they sound really similar. But other than that, this is a great listen!


Recommended to: Rock fans, Daughtry, etc.

Perfect Day

Perfect Day

By: Cascada
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: Didn't like it


Cascada is alright; and this album was okay. She isn't very creative or original. Not to mention, not a very good role model. These songs on this album are just average pop songs that might be okay dance songs. If you are looking for something new and different, this album isn't what you are looking for.


Recommended to: honestly, no one

Don't Look Away

Don't Look Away

By: Kate Voegele
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: Really liked it


Kate Voegele definetely has unique talent. These thirteen tracks are all different and great in their own way. My personal favorite is "Facing Up". Kate Voegele's songs are the type that will make you think and they are songs that everyone can relate to. This is a great album to lay back and listen to on a free weekend!


Recommended to: Taylor Swift fans, other country music and pop music fans.

Ocean Eyes

Ocean Eyes

By: Owl City
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


Before this great album, Owl City wasn't that popular. However, with this album, they became really famous and gained many fans. Owl City is a band whose songs contain great electrical beats and the lyrics will put all listeners in a good mood. This album contains 12 new tracks:
1. Cave In
2. The Bird and the Worm
3. Hello Seattle
4. Umbrella Beach
5. The Saltwater Room
6. Dental Care
7. Meteor Shower
8. On the Wing
9.Fireflies
10. The Tip of the Iceberg
11. Vanilla Twilight
12. Tidal Wave


Recommended to: Everyone

Dear John (Movie)

Dear John


By: Lasse Hallström
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


Wow! This was a great movie, and worth the wait! The plotline wasn't a typical romance movie because it was really original. The actors were great and did very well. The ending wasn't the best and could have been better; however. I will definitely check out the book also.


Recommended to: Everyone! I think Twilight fans and Notebook fans will love this.

Who I Am

Who I Am

By: Nick Jonas & the Administration
Reviewed by: Tina R., 14
Rating: Really liked it


This was extremely different than the Jonas brothers together. It is a lot more mature sounding and I think Nick will have several new fans! Check this album out!


Recommended to: Everyone

The Opal Deception

The Opal Deception


By: Eion Colfer
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: Really liked it


I read this book in order with the series. And let me tell you Eion colfer has done it again. If you haven't read any of the previos books then I suggest you do becaus they are all very good reads. This one in particular is very well written with plenty of action. In this book Artemis Fowl has been reintroduced to faires when a fairy criminal named Opal Koboi escapes from prison but doesnt really leave. The dangerous Opal takes revenge on everybody who had a hand in her impisonment. Including Artems Fowl. Others include fairy LEPrecon catain Holly Short and her commander Juius Root. Now as Opal takes revenge Julius is killed and Holly is blamed through ingenius trickery.The next two hundered pages are filled with their fight against Opal. As usual they are aided by Artemis' butler and mulch the keplomatic dwarf.Can she save Artemis in time? Can they save the fairy and human world from colliding? And last but not least, can they clear their names? Readers will be thrilled in the fourth installment in the Artmeis Fowl series.


Recommended to: anybody

Avatar

Avatar


Directed By: James Cameron
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was amazing!


I saw the movie in RealD 3D and it was so awesome! I thought it was better than "Titanic", well, at least the action and epic scenes. The graphics, special effects, and the CGI work was killer. It was worth waiting a year to watch it (I heard about this movie in Jan 2009). James Cameron spent around ten years making this movie, creating the story and the graphics. Because of his massive payday from "Titanic", he was able to make this movie. He just waited for technology to catch up with this. As I heard from many magazines, "Avatar" might surpass "Titanic" for box-office record. And who knows how "Avatar" will do at the Oscars? It did take home 5 Golden Globes. And probably one of the rare, movies with no franchise, new actors, and has a tree-hugging theme that will succeed in the box-office.

Involves some romance, some fighting, tree-hugging themes, cool graphics,unique animals on a unique surrounding, disagreements, etc., etc. In many ways, kind of like Pocahontas. The earthlings are kind of like how the US are to Iraq (Pandora) The plot is interesting and is hard to put into a summary so I suggest that you go and see the movie.


Recommended to: absloutely anyone!