Modern Warfare 2*

Modern Warfare 2*


By: Infinity Ward
Reviewed by: Karthik, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This game is AWESOME!!! The graphics are beutiful, the gameplay is addicting and replayable, and it popularity is tremendous. If you are looking for an excellent game for online and single player play, GET THIS.

In the game you fight as 4 different people two of which die in the campaign. You can man all kinds of turrets, shoot from a helicopter, and move with stealth through a forest. So if this sound interesting get this game!!


Recommended to: anyone

* This is a rated M game and the library goes not own it.

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief


By: Rick Riordan
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


In the first book of the Percy Jackson series percy learns that he is a half blood, who is half human half god. But almost immediatly after learning this and getting to camp half-blood, percy is in trouble... this time it is stealing Zues Lightning Bolt, or that's what the gods say. As the book goes on Percy must go on a long and dangerous quest with to new friend a satyr and another half blood to fing the bolt and return it.

This book is truely amazing and is the first of many. I recommend it to anyone who likes a blend of myth and modern.


Recommended to: everyone

Fire

Fire


By: Kristen Cashore
Reviewed by: Yuuki, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Fire is a young girl who lives in the Dells, skilled at archery and enjoys living in her home with her "adopted" father and best friend. One thing that makes her different from other people is that she's a human monster, a girl with bright red, orange, yellow hair, with a few strands of pink, and to everyone who sees her, especially men, looks gorgeous. "Monsters" are animals, as well as people, who have unusual colored fur, hair, or feather and are very beautiful. As the Dells is at the peak of a civil war between 3 sides, Fire is asked to help the royal family try to aid them. With her ability to manipulate peoples' minds, she wonders whether she'll be able to use her power without going too far.

IT is such a great book, being a companion to "Graceling", I truly LOVED reading it. IF you loved reading "Graceling", this book with captivate you in the same way. The romance in it, and yes there is romance in it, is truly touching. It made me cry; it is so beautiful!


Recommended to:

Heaven and Earth

Heaven and Earth

By: Phil Wickam
Reviewed by: Esther, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


Phil Wickam uses his skills to put together this great CD. He tells us of God's awesome love, and that we will always be safe in his arms.


Recommended to: Christians

The Westing Game

The Westing Game


By: Ellen Raskin
Reviewed by: Esther, 12
Rating: Hated it!


Though the beginning was good, the rest is totally boring. To me, it is the worst book I have ever read.


Recommended to: Anyone who can withstand a really boring book

Jars of Clay Greatest Hits

Jars of Clay Greatest Hits

By: Jars of Clay
Reviewed by: Esther, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


Jars of Clay, 13 time Dove Award winner, puts together their greatest hits all in this one amazing CD. Their songs are 1. Flood 2. Love Song For A Savior 3. Like A Child 4. Worlds Apart 5. Crazy Times 6. Frail 7. Unforgetful You 8. I Need You 9. Show You Love 10. Amazing Grace 11. God Will Lift Up Your Head 12. Dead Man (Carry Me) 13. Work 14. Love Is The Protest

They are one of my favorite bands. This is a must listen to CD.


Recommended to: Christians

Church Music

Church Music

By: David Crowder Band
Reviewed by: Esther, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


If you're going through a difficult time in life whatever it may be, than this is the CD to listen to. It is a great reminder that God's love and forgiveness will always be there for us no matter who we are, what our past is, or anything.


Recommended to: Christians

Catching Fire

Catching Fire


By: Suzanne Collins
Reviewed by: Esther, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


Suzanne Collins strikes again with another great story full of love and suspense in the 2nd book of the Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire. This book holds many surprises beyond what can be expected. It is one of those books that is extremely hard to put down.


Recommended to: Anyone

Pieces of a Real Heart

Pieces of a Real Heart


By: Sanctus Real
Reviewed by: Esther, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


Sanctus Real, winner of the 2005 modern rock album of the year, reminds many that our sin has been paid for and that we are forgiven. Their album pieces together many reminders bringing us hope and a sense of love, strength, and even endurance.


Recommended to: Christians

The Blind Side

The Blind Side


Directed By: John Lee Hancock
Reviewed by: Kayleigh , 16
Rating: Really liked it


Based on a true story, The Blindside is a heartwarming film that follows a young man, by the name of Michael Oher, through his troubled life. His troubled past has made him a man of few words, which is obvious throughout the film. But when Leigh Ann Touhy (Sandra Bullock), a wealthy woman with the picture perfect family, decides to take this young boy in, it changes both their lives in so many ways. The Touhy family takes Michael under their wing and he becomes part of the family. They all take part in teaching him how to play football. Overall, this movie sends the message that you’ve got to take care of your family.

Though I enjoyed the movie for the message it conveyed and the powerful scenes that may just bring a tear to your eye, it wasn’t very well organized. I felt the beginning was a bit stretched out and moving from scene to scene was a rough transition. Certain aspects of the movie weren’t well developed and the flashbacks are a bit fuzzy and hard to understand. The characters, though, were fairly well developed. Don’t be too quick to judge Michael’s character due to the lack of, well, talking, but you’ll soon start to see the inner Michael. Bullock’s character, Leigh Ann, is also well developed. You see a good-hearted woman who just wants to make a difference in a young boy’s life and also the tough gal who can stand her ground. What also refreshing is to see the maternal side of Bullock and the dilemmas she faces as a mother like “Should I have let him stay here Sean? We don’t really know him. You don’t think he’ll steal anything right?” The characters are what make the movie and you’ll start to really connect with them.

All in all, it is the good morals and compelling characters that make this movie great.


Recommended to: anyone who wants to see a feel-good movie

Bones to Ashes

Bones to Ashes


By: Kathy Reichs
Reviewed by: Kayleigh , 16
Rating: It was amazing!


Temperance Brennan. Forensic anthropologist. Crime solver. Super sleuth. Mom. Sister.

Tempe has many titles to her name, but her job title is forensic anthropologist and her job description consists of examining human remains that are so mutilated they are unidentifiable. In Bones to Ashes she comes across a set of bones that could be those of her childhood friend that went missing years ago. Determined to find out who this Jane Doe is, Tempe gets her friends Detective Andrew Ryan and Sergeant Hyppolyte Gallant to uncover a mystery of several young girls who have gone missing and this Jane Doe could be one of them. Even Tempe’s crazy sister, who becomes a comedic relief, joins in on the hunt. It’s an exciting and most complicated mystery.

A very well put together book that keeps you guessing. Reichs’s style is very descriptive and informal making it an enjoyable read. Her command of imagery is phenomenal; it is like you can actually see these characters’ body language and see the beautiful setting of Montreal. This, perhaps, is the most gripping aspect of her writing – her style. Her addicting storyline and command of imagery kept me from ever putting the book down. I can’t emphasize enough how much I enjoyed this book!

This is the tenth book in the Temperance Brennan series. These books can be read out of order. This book series is the inspiration for the Fox TV series Bones


Recommended to: crime show junkies and readers who enjoy authors with a descriptive style

Rosario+Vampire, Vol.1-2

Rosario+Vampire, Vol.1-2


By: Akihisa Ikeda
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 16
Rating: Didn't like it


No, I have not dropped off the face of the earth, I’ve just been busy, too busy with AP classes to read books (I feel very deprived) and write reviews. But I’m back, sort of.

“All-around average student Tsukune transfers to Monster High, where he discovers the turf war isn't between the jocks and the nerds but the vampires and the werewolves.”

I have seen the future of the vampire genre, and it is a cold, frightening future. I wish I could take back that comment I made on Gina’s post “Awww, vampires are sweet” back in August. I wish that I had never said anything about vampire girlfriends, because Rosario + Vampire is just as bad as any of the vampire-boyfriend stories out there. I hesitate to consider Rosario + Vampire a “vampire-romance” story because its intended audience is teen boys and there is a ton of male-oriented fanservice that is decidedly un-romantic. Of course, you could say that the vampire-romance stories aimed at girls are also fanservice, but Rosario + Vampire is shameless in its exploitation of pretty, well-endowed female characters. I’m willing to like ecchi, as long as it’s funny, but Rosario isn’t funny. None of the jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, and the plot is repetitive. Nothing really redeems this series, especially not the characters. Most of the characters are shallow or even annoying. Tsukune is the worst example. He’s average in every respect, completely and utterly boring in appearance and personality, but somehow he has half the girls in school wanting to date (and often, but not always, eat) him. I’m pretty sure he tastes as bland as his life and personality, and if I were a monster I wouldn’t want to eat him. No one is really like that, except Bella from Twilight, but I digress. All of the other characters either want to steal Tsukune from Moka or to steal Moka from Tsukune. Moka is just about the only nearly likeable character, and I found myself thinking far too often, “Girl, you could do so much better than him.” She’s a genuinely nice character, but she’s kind of bland and shallow too. And she has terrible taste (literally and figuratively) in boys to boot.

The plot is bound to get repetitive as the series continues, because, as I mentioned, all of the characters either want to take Tsukune from Moka or to take Moka from Tsukune. In every chapter we meet a new romantic rival who tries to tempt one of the fabulous leads, and at the end of every chapter Moka goes psycho-vampire on the rival and kicks his or butt. And after that she usually bites Tsukune’s tender young neck. See the pattern? The pattern starts to change a little bit in the second volume, especially when the School Protection Committee are introduced as antagonists, but it’s still really stupid.

Just look at the cover of the first volume and you’ll figure out exactly what this series is all about. A cute, pink-haired girl in a very short skirt. That should tell you enough about the story and the intended audience. And there are other cute girls in short skirts, and many of the jokes, which aren’t that funny, revolve around said girls being spied upon by male classmates. The sole purpose of this manga is basically fanservice, and there really is no plot.

The art doesn’t really redeem the manga either. Obviously Ikeda spent far too much time learning to draw…female anatomy and didn’t learn anything about plot or character development. The female character designs, overall, look better than the male designs. Tsukune doesn’t look bad, just boring. I concede that Ikeda has a knack for drawing various monsters, but I still think that Rosario+Vampire is very, for lack of a more eloquent word, stupid.

Rosario+Vampire does not get my stamp of approval, to be blunt. I recommend it only to ecchi fans, and even ecchi fans might not like it. It is somewhat amusing at best, but it’s not really a standout in plot or art, just a typical shonen-romance, with vampires thrown in.


Recommended to: Some ecchi fans, 16+ for its pervertedness

He's Just Not That Into You

He's Just Not That Into You


Directed By: Ken Kwapis
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


Another one of those sappy romance and this time, it's a date movie and a how-to movie too at the same time!

Based off the book of the same name by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccilo, writers of the TV series "Sex & the City". It was a how-to book on how to tell if a guy is just not into you. The movie is different from the book in many ways. The book being a how-to, instructional, the movie had an actual story and the plot is kind of hard to keep track of. There is an all-star cast. The movie "Valentine's Day" is actually like this movie in many ways with an all-star cast, confusing plots, etc. Also, they were both released around the similar date either on or close to Valentine's day.
The ending is absolutely predictable and it was a good ending. The credits rolled with the character commentaries and were slightly funny. Even the beginning where it started with this one character recalling from her own childhood with her first childhood love and then as a teen, a college student, etc. There were even Japanese, African women talking about that guy that is just not that into you. That was pretty cool.

The part I did not like was how the women were portrayed as toys to throw around except for some characters and the men were portrayed as ones who had their own fun elsewhere. I find this one character "Gigi" to be the most fun one. She is also one of the main characters.


Recommended to: Fans of Date Movies, sappy romances, how-tos, the book of the same name, in need of a significant other, etc...

Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko


Directed By: Richard Kelly
Reviewed by: Matt G., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


This simply amazing, trippy sci film takes us on a journey in a tangent universe to save the real universe. Our antihero is Donnie Darko, a troubled adolescent whose life is saved by Frank the bunny rabbit. He tells him that he has 28 days 6 hours 42 minutes and 6 seconds to save the world. The voices in his head lead him through this strange universe. In this tangent of life, he delves into the Philosophy of Time Travel, finds love which can never exist and does so much within the month contained within the film. I end this inadequate description of an amazing film with what is considered linguistically the most beautiful phrase in the English language. Cellar door...


Recommended to: despite its 'R' rating, its recommended that you ask your parents... or watch in pieces on youtube

The Fall

The Fall

By: Norah Jones
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: It was amazing!


So - I'm sure you've seen the cover of the latest Norah Jones album around in department stores and book/music shops at one time or another. It was practically everywhere around the 2009 holiday season! In a fit of attempted sophistication, I advised my little brother to buy it for my mom for Christmas. I thought, "Hey, this is a good gift, she likes Norah Jones.... I like Norah Jones!" With that, the deal was sealed, and I was completely right about the CD when my mom pulled it out of its wrapping paper on Christmas. The funny thing about the whole story is that now, three months later in March, I'm the one who hogs the album!

The contents of "The Fall" are a varied and pleasant collection, mostly on themes of love, romance, brokenness, and renewal. Here's the playlist:
1. Chasing Pirates
2. Even Though
3. Light As a Feather
4. Young Blood
5. I Wouldn't Need You
6. Waiting
7. It's Gonna Be
8. You've Ruined Me
9. Back To Manhattan
10. Stuck
11. December
12. Tell Yer Mama
13. Man Of The Hour

Having enjoyed Jones's classics from 2002 and 2004, "Come Away With Me," and "Feels Like Home," I was prepared to FALL in love with her latest, "The Fall." (Did you catch that pun?) Beyond cheesy humor, I really have to say that this is one of my favorite albums yet - I've listened to the songs a hundred times! In this collection, Jones uses more synthetic and electric sounds than in some of her previous ones, but she still maintains a personal, heartfelt, pleading tone in every song. My personal favorites are "Young Blood," "Even Though," and "Man Of The Hour."


Recommended to:

Do Hard Things

Do Hard Things


By: Alex and Brett Harris
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: It was amazing!


Wait! I know how this must look... a review for a book called "Do Hard Things"??! This must sound insane, stupid, and just plain boring. But you know what? The title of this book is a hook to get you into it, and this book holds an entire universe of treasure!

"Do Hard Things" is a book written by teenaged twin brothers, Alex and Brett Harris. It's targeted toward teens like you and me, but its message is completely appropriate for people of any age. Alex and Brett's message is simple: it's all about challenging American expectations for teens and rebelling against the norm: mediocrity. Even more, it's about personally challenging yourself to be the best and strongest and most influential and strong-charactered you can be. Hence, the title, "Do Hard Things."

Why? You may ask. Why should I bother to get up and do hard things when no one else is doing it? It's haaaarrrd! One of the strongest ideas in Alex and Brett's book is that the low expectations of our culture for teens (think, drugs, pregnancy, gangs) are really just chains that our limiting us from our true and unexplored potential. The twins discuss the "Myth of Adolescence," and push teens to be great men and women when they are able to, and not to fool around with grownup toys but live like babies.

Even more, "Do Hard Things" motivates readers to live out what they believe, to show people the legitimacy of their ideas with ACTION. From little, day-to-day hard things to big projects, the authors explain how living a self-challenged life of striving toward excellence has a huge impact on the world. "Do Hard Things" also has a message for young men and women who seem like overachievers. It holds a call to work toward personal excellence, even for the people who are above average.

This is a life-changing book that is easy to read and significantly inspiring! The title is daunting, but your life will never be the same when you're finished with this book.


Recommended to: Teens, Young Adults, High School Students, College Students

Letters From A Nut

Letters From A Nut


By: Ted L. Nancy
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: Really liked it


This is by far one of the weirdest books I have ever picked up, but I've spent hours enjoying the whimsical and just-plain-crazy letters in this collection!

"Letters from a Nut" is a strange and unusual collection of letters, written by Ted L. Nancy, who must be a really interesting guy. In this book, Nancy has compiled some of his best letters, which are basically prank letters written to companies, businesses, and other people/groups of interest. These letters are unbelievably outlandish! Nancy writes, usually asking nutty and unthought-of questions to unsuspecting celebrities or corporations, and I mean this very literally. You can see a scan of an excerpt at this link: http://www.rebeccastmartin.com/writing/letters/manequin.jpg.

In a weird, but kind of nice and definitely entertaining way, this book makes you think about things differently and gives you laughs when you least expect them!


Recommended to: People with a weird sense of humor, people with a sense of humor, people who like to make fun of businesses

The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place


By: Corrie Ten Boom, with John and Elizabeth Sherrill
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: It was amazing!


A Quick Summary:
"The Hiding Place" is essentially the autobiography of a Dutch woman named Corrie ten Boom, and her family, who lived during WWII. (In case you're confused, ten Boom is a Dutch last name.) Masterfully written, this story is an amazing account of the ten Boom family and their incredible Christian faith. Corrie, the author, follows the development of her family, recounting stories from her childhood and years growing up, all the way until her middle-age years, when Nazi Germany invades Holland and imposes its rule over the land. This includes laws about religious practice, and particularly the oppression of Jewish people. In the end, Corrie ten Boom and her family become the centers of a massive underground operation in Holland, housing and helping Jews escape Nazi tyranny. The meaningful bulk of this story takes place after the ten Boom family is caught and imprisoned by German authorities. Told with Corrie's tasteful perspective and hopeful faith, the book recounts agonizing years spent in concentration camps in a way unlike any other. The most inspirational theme behind "The Hiding Place" is the hope carried by the ten Boom family's enormous personal faith and spirituality, even in the middle of sorrowful and humanly impossible circumstances.

My Opinion:
As someone who shares the same faith as the very real characters in "The Hiding Place," I've found this book to be an immense spiritual instrument in growing my own faith. On a broader level, the hope and joy flowing from such a sorrowful story are overwhelming and inspiring and powerful to move us all to live with meaning and selflessness and gratitude, even in the darkest circumstances. Corrie and the rest of the ten Boom family are some of my greatest heroes!
I also think that this book offers some solid historical insight into the German occupation of Holland during WWII, which isn't often looked into.

I would 100% recommend this story to anyone!


Recommended to: Christians, People with WWII interest, People who like tear-jerkers

Titanic

Titanic


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


The movie, "Titanic" is phenomenal! It does deserve the 11 Oscars it has won (though most were Technical Oscars) because that was cutting-edge technology back then. It used to be the most-grossed movie ever until "Avatar", another James Cameron movie, beat it. The movie is romantic, unusual coming from Cameron, who is known for the Terminator, Alien, and etcetera. The romance is being pushed off to side as the special effects of the sinking of the Titanic became the main focus. He did a good job in making the sinking of the ship look real.

It is basically about the romance of a first-class girl and a third-class boy with various surrounding pressures from peers and the sinking ship. The plot is hard to explain so the best thing to do is to watch it for yourself. The type of romance story is kind of common but the viewers will not notice because of Cameron's technical skills. Also because of that, the long three hour running time will not be noticed too. This is a movie worth watching.


Recommended to: Everyone, fans of James Cameron directed movies, etc.

Push

Push


By: Sapphire
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: Didn't like it


The book which is now a movie directed by Lee Daniels which won a Best Supporting Oscar and a best Adapted Screenplay Oscar is really intense. I would not recommend the book to anyone because the book is so intense. It was intense enough that the book was put down after the first chapter was read. The lives of the characters inside to book are unimaginable, somber. I have no idea how Sapphire puts so much emotion into it. The book is sexually explicit, literally has a curse word in every line, and I am so glad I put it down.

There is a happy ending because I peeked at it. Takes place in Harlem during the 1980s. Lots of controversial issues discussed.


Recommended to: No one. Too intense to the innocent mind

The Notebook

The Notebook


By: Nick Cassavetes
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


The movie, The Notebook, based off of the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, was just another sappy romance. It was really predictable, even this movie buff could predict what the ending would turn out to be. There were many scenes of awkward romance.

(Whole next paragraph is a *spoiler*)
The movie starts with a scene where elderly Noah (Gone through two heart attacks) read elderly Allie (with dementia), "The Notebook". Young Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Young Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) met at a county fair and Noah awkwardly asked her out. He threatens her with suicide and Allie said yes. They instantly fell in love. They eventually took risks together and even had their relationship go a little too far. Noah's father approved of their relationship but Allie's parents (wealthy Southern people) did not. Allie then heads off to Sarah Lawrence in New York while Noah eventually gets drafted into World War II. During the war, Allie volunteers as a nurse for the wounded soldiers and was really determined to find Noah again. She then found her future husband. Noah on the other hand comes back and his dad sold their house and bought the plantation. Noah rebuilt it in hopes of luring Allie back. He even had a woman who is a war widow date him. But as we all know it, Allie and Noah are back together again!

There were many scenes where the notebook entries, being read by elderly Noah, were put to life by young Allie and Noah and then when he stops reading, they go back to now. Allie remembers more and she realizes that Noah is right there beside her. The ending is sad but ends well, romantically. Let us just say that a lot of people would love to see an ending like that.

By the way, the Notebook is based off of how Sparks' parents-in-law and his parents met.


Recommended to: Fans of Nicholas Sparks, anyone who has seen "A Walk to Remember", romance buffs, mainly women

Surfer Rosa

Surfer Rosa

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


This is by far one of my favourite albums to listen to in any situation. If you're ever interested in the Pixies, then this is the first thing to check out.

track listing:
1. Bone Machine
2. Break my Body
3. Something Against You
4. Broken Face
5. Gigantic
6. River Euphrates
7. Where is My Wind
8. Cactus
9. Tony's Theme
10. Oh My Golly!
11. Vamos
12. I'm Amazed
13. Brick is Red


Recommended to: everyone

Graceling

Graceling


By: Kristen Cashore
Reviewed by: Yuuki, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


As the niece of King Randa, Katsa is treated with more than that of respect, but with fear. She is one of many people who are Graced. People who are Graced are born with extreme skills, in which because of their Grace they are often feared by others. Upon learning of an evil plot that includes an old king of a neighboring country, Katsa teams up with another Graced fighter to find out who is behind the plot.

I truly enjoyed this book! It's really just about Katsa trying to fight against her Grace and keep herself from being angered. It's also about how she's trying to get a sense of freedom, since her uncle has treated her more like a dog enclosed in a cage. The bit of romance in the story helps the story flow and will have you keep turning the page. Not only that, but the anxiety of what's to come is also intriguing, to a point where I couldn't put the book down. So read it! It'll have you hanging for more.


Recommended to: anyone who enjoys adventure and romance

Annie On My Mind

Annie on my Mind


By: Nancy Garden
Reviewed by: Jacklin N., 17
Rating: It was amazing!


This is a really good book about a girl who doesnt know she is into girl but as soon as she meets this one girl she knows she like her and she doesnt know what to do about it.


Recommended to: People who like hopeful stories

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist


By: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Reviewed by: Matt G., 14
Rating: Really liked it


As edgy teen novels go, this was a gem, something unique in the pile of romances and cheerleading based refuse that is teen novels.

Nick is the straight bassist in a queercore band, while at a show he sees his ex, Tris, and wants to avoid her. Norah is a girl he saw there (and incidentally, knows Tris). To successfully avoid this, he asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. This basic, awkward event leads to a crazy night that will take them through clubs where nuns make out, a Korean market that sells stale Oreos, all across New York City and of course through that strange sensation that we call 'love'.

A great read with an equally good sound track, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist should be read by anyone looking for a good time reading a book. And if you've already read it, don't see the movie, because your soul may be crushed.


Recommended to: teens generally, if you have any qualms about strong themes and language this isn't for you

One-X

One-X

By: Three Days Grace
Reviewed by: Sandor S., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


1. "It's All Over" 4:09
2. "Pain" 3:23
3. "Animal I Have Become" 3:51
4. "Never Too Late" 3:29
5. "On My Own" 3:05
6. "Riot" 3:27
7. "Get Out Alive" 4:22
8. "Let It Die" 3:09
9. "Over and Over" 3:11
10. "Time of Dying" 3:06
11. "Gone Forever" 3:41
12. "One-X" 4:46

The second album of three days grace.It is a really awesome album 2 listen to muliple times.


Recommended to: 12 and up

How Come?

How Come?


By: Kathy Wollard
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: Really liked it


This book is not one of great stories but of great information it provides ,knoledge on almost every question you could think of. For example how come you can see through glass if it is a soild? Why are bubbles round? What is a black hole? How come scientists say energy can't be created or destroyed? If light has no mass, why can't it escape the gravity of a black hole? This and many other questions are answered by this smart little book and if you think even one of these questions are interesting i suggest you go out and buy it.


Recommended to: everyone

Mean Girls

Mean Girls


Directed By: Mark Waters
Reviewed by: Tahrima, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Raised in African bush country by her zoologist parents, Cady Heron thinks she knows about survival of the fittest. But the law of the jungle takes on a whole new meaning when the home-schooled 15-year-old enters public high school for the first time and encounters psychological warfare and unwritten social rules that teenage girls face today.

Her parents being zoologists, Cady Heron has never known what "high school" truly meant. She lived her first 15 years in the African jungle, home-schooled, living life with only her parents and the animals of the wilderness, knowing all of the rules of survival. However, when she moves out of Africa, she has to learn the rules of high school, a jungle in itself. She instantly makes friends with two sweet teenagers, Damian and Janis, who, in the terms of the high school, were in the "out crowd." Soon she meets the Plastics, the three crude, beautiful, popular girls, consisting of Regina, the unofficial leader, Gretchen, Regina's full-time follower, and Karen, "one of the dumbest people you will ever meet." They immediately let her into their group, but Cady, wanting to keep her first friends, is unsure. The two convince Cady to keep her relationship with the Plastics, only so that they can know their dark secrets. However, events turn for the worse when Cady falls for Regina's ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels. When Regina finds out, she seeks revenge of Cady by taking Aaron back. When Cady finds out, what began as a game to discover secrets turns into a plan to destroy Regina. Now, Cady, Janis, and Damian plot together to bring Regina's status down. However, as Cady spends more time with the Plastics, she, too, begins to become one.


Recommended to: teens, chik flick

Sweet Little Lies

Sweet Little Lies


By: Lauren Conrad
Reviewed by: Tahrima, 13
Rating: Really liked it


Jane Roberts was the average girl next door until she and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, landed their own reality show, “L.A. Candy.” Now the girls have an all-access pass to Hollywood's hottest everything. But there's more to life on camera than just parties and shopping….

When racy photos of Jane are leaked to the press, she finds herself at the center of a tabloid scandal. She turns to her co-star Madison Parker for help, unaware that Madison is scheming behind the scenes. She might be Jane's shoulder to cry on, but does Madison really have Jane's back?

Scarlett's working on a scandal of her own. She's fallen for someone who's strictly off-limits --- which means Scarlett has a big secret to keep…from the “L.A. Candy” cameras, the paparazzi staking out her apartment, even from her best friend.

Of course, nothing stays secret for long for the stars of the newest hit TV series, and all this drama couldn't be better for ratings. But can Jane survive another season in the spotlight?


Recommended to: teens, reality

The Sky is Everywhere

The Sky is Everywhere


By: Jandy Nelson
Reviewed by: Tahrima, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life --- and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.


Recommended to: teens

Scarlett Fever

Scarlett Fever


By: Maureen Johnson
Reviewed by: Tahrima, 13
Rating: Really liked it


Life just can’t get any more interesting. Or can it? Between the breakup with Eric, working --- no, “slaving” is the right word --- for the tyrant Mrs. Amberson, trying to help out at the hotel and just keeping her 15-year-old life together, Scarlett Martin has no time for brooding. Of course, she does manage to brood because you can’t be a teenager and not brood. What would that be like?

Scarlett’s mom and dad run an ancient hotel in New York, the Hopewell, where you risk everything just taking a shower. She and her three siblings do what they can to assist their parents. Unfortunately, all of them lead very busy, dramatic lives. Her little sister Marlene is recovering from cancer and belongs to a kid survivor group. Older sister Lola is sort of between high school and college, so she is actually helping a lot around the hotel. Big brother Spencer, on the other hand, is constantly auditioning and working the theater scene. Scarlett just wants to go to school, get through the day and figure out how she can get Eric back. The subject of money is also on her mind. Where would it come from, and why do all of her friends have it and she doesn’t?

Things do pick up when Spenser lands a great role in a soap opera. But unexpected complications pop up when his character kills off one of the main characters and he becomes the most hated guy in the world. There are even people stalking him. Lola begins acting a little strange, too. She has this thing for the wealthy but nerdy Chip Sutcliff. Chip is just so not like any of them, but there is definitely something going on. Lola is Marlene’s main buddy; she has supported her and done the real big sister thing through the whole cancer experience. Now Marlene is growing up and getting a little demanding, and Lola seems totally distracted. Is it just Chip?

Mrs. Amberson has now asked Scarlett to sort of “baby-sit” one of her client’s brothers. His name is Max and he’s in Scarlett’s biology class. She can’t stand the guy the minute she lays eyes on him and definitely has other things she’d rather do. Even walking Murray, the fear-filled dog of Mrs. Amberson’s friend, is better than dealing with Max.

Scarlett does have a best friend named Dakota. Although Dakota is totally rolling in money, they have good times together. While she thinks about the Eric situation, Dakota encourages her to move on, to just get over him. Reality is what she needs but definitely not what she wants.

One day while Scarlett is working at the hotel desk, Eric --- the long-lost, most handsome guy in the world --- walks in. Not only has he come to see her, he actually asks her for advice. At last, something cool is happening. Could this possibly mean what she wants it to mean?


Recommended to: teens, drama

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead


By: Julie Anne Peters
Reviewed by: Tahrima, 13
Rating: It was alright...


Daelyn Rice can’t be left alone. Following her most recent suicide attempt, her well-meaning parents have her on suicide watch. They follow her when she goes for walks, pick her up from school, and monitor her online computer use. Daelyn has found a way around them, though, with a website called Through-the-Light.com, which promises to evade detection by the kind of monitoring programs that her parents use. Through-the-Light also promises something else: to give users contemplating suicide a discussion forum, frank advice, and a countdown clock to their own date of death.

Daelyn is obsessed with suicide but just not sure which method will provide the best combination of minimal pain and maximum effectiveness. Her earlier attempts obviously didn’t work --- she’s still here, isn’t she? --- so she needs a better way. Through-the-Light gives her plenty of material to work with.

As Daelyn counts down the days to her appointed “Date of Determination,” she recalls the events that have led to her current state of despair and desperation. Daelyn, who is overweight, has been bullied her whole life, ranging from fat jokes to a sexual attack by a group of boys in a school bathroom. She has been physically and verbally abused at “fat camp,” made the object of cruel pranks at school, and ignored or pitied by teachers and school administrators.

Just one thing is getting in the way of Daelyn’s single-minded progress toward a successful suicide attempt: a boy named Santana. He’s kind of a pain, engaging her in ridiculous conversation when all she wants to do is escape into the pages of the latest romance novel. He’s also kind of weird --- he has a pet rat, for Pete’s sake --- and extremely persistent. It turns out that Santana has a secret of his own, one that might change Daelyn’s perspective on life --- and death.


Recommended to: teens

Unclaimed Heart

Unclaimed Heart


By: Kim Wilkins
Reviewed by: Yuuki, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Constance has always known that her mother had disappeared when she was young, but when her father returns from one of his long sea journeys, she finds out that her mother might still be alive, having been spotted living in Ceylon a few years ago. With her determination to find her mom, Constance sneaks onto her father's ship before he sails to Ceylon.

On the way, she saves Alexandre, a pearl diver who is trying to get his freedom using a pearl he has found. As she keeps his pearl safe, they both try to find out about where Contance's mother is. In time they both begin to fall in love with each other, but how can they when the society that they live in won't allow it?

I LOVE this story. It is written very well, and the mood of the story made me cry. It's such a beautiful story, with so much emotion, and it reminds me of other characters from books that I've read in the past.


Recommended to:

Samurai Girl: The Book of the Sword

Samurai Girl: The Book of the Sword


By: Carrie Asai
Reviewed by: Yuuki, 13
Rating: Really liked it


When Heaven was six months old, she fell from the sky, being the only survivor of the Japanese flight, Japan Airlines flight 999. She is taken in by the Kogo family and is named Heaven. Years later, her father arranges a marriage for Heaven and on her wedding day, her life shatters in front of her as a ninja interrupts the wedding and her brother ends up dying, trying to kill the intruder. As Heaven runs away from her family and her old life, what awaits her?

The story is well written, and somewhat descriptive as well. There are also a few illustrations throughout the story, which I must admit are quite good. The only part I didn't like about this story is that Heaven tends to have second thoughts on whether she wants to return to her old life or continue with her new one.


Recommended to:

Call of Duty 2*

Call of Duty 2 for Xbox 360*


By: Infinite Ward and Activision
Reviewed by: Karthik, 12
Rating: It was amazing!


This call of duty is on of the best especially becasue the gameplay is simple and user friendly. In this early call of duty you fight as three different counrties. the u.s, russia, and britan. even though the game doesn't imploy much vechile combat (only 3 missions) you can still use machine guns, anit-aircraft weapons, and my favorite a panswerwafer stimilar to todays rpg. The game is a little easy on normal and easy difficulties but on hard or vetern it is nigh impossible. The realism is good and the graphic are ok on a HDTV. I would suggest this to Xbox 360 owners, COD fans, and some one looking for a fist person shooter.


Recommended to: Xbox 360 owners, COD fans, first person shooter lovers.

*The library does NOT have this version of Call of Duty.

Circus

Circus

By: Britney Spears
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


I think that this album by Britney Spears is better than her last album (Blackout) which she did not give her best shot in. This time, you can call this her comeback album.

Britney Spear's voice find I find is annoying but her songs are so catchy, especially "Womanizer" and "Circus". Just like Time magazine said about her, "she's won't be one of the performers in the circus; this time, she'll be the ringleader!" She may have messed up in public affairs and in the tabloids but this time, she may have fixed herself. That's what you pay for the price of fame, lack of privacy.


Recommended to: Britney Spear fans, preppy girls, etc...