Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ender's Game

Ender's Game
By: Orson Scott Card
Reviewed by: Karthik, 15
Rating: Really liked it

This book is an amazing action adventure, sci-fi and developmental and heart breaking tale of a boy whose potential is too good for him to handle and in the process it kills others. Ender is special, he is bullied by his brother, babied in many ways, and rises through "school" fast, too fast. Ender is an amazing character and Card's storytelling will never cease to impress. I highly recommend this book to all readers due to the fact that it is just an amazing story.

Recommeded to: Everyone

The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea
By: Ernest Hemingway
Reviewed by: Karthik, 15
Rating: Really like it

This book is one of those books that means one thing on the outside but is a totally different think on the inside. It is "about" an old man and the battle he as with a giant fish. But this book is actually about John Steinbeck, and is an autobiography. All characters represent something deeper in this book and it is hard to read a part that isn't filled with symbolism. I highly recommend this book, but also read about the symbolism because it is what makes this story great.

Recommended to: Everyone

The Color of Water


The Color of Water
By: James McBride
Reviewed by: Karthik, 15
Rating: Really liked it

The Color of water is a book about the relationship between James McBride and his family, especially his mother. This book is non-fiction, but parts of it can seems almost surreal when read. While James is black his mother is white. His mother's story alone is quite amazing and can inspire deep feeling and keep you up late at night. This book explores many controversial ideas including but not limited too racism, sexism, class ism, and social status ism. Readers able to comprehend and understand these concepts will be able to relate to them better however this book is readable by all teen and up age groups. ( Note: Vulgar Language and the use of teh above mentioned concepts can be disturbing, reader discretion advised)

Recommeded to: Teens+

The Pearl

The Pearl
By: John Steinbeck
Reviewed by: Karthik, 15
Rating: Really liked it


Expository Journalist turned writer John Steinbeck has truly eye opening and head turning take on the normal things in life. This book, The Pearl, is about how greed can overcome the mind and make us into thing we are not. He also blurs the lines between right and wrong, need and want. This is a truly Classic book that all mature readers can enjoy.
The reason I say mature readers is because it has some violent parts, and wording that can be hard for a younger reader to understand and enjoy, and most of all learn from.

Recommeded to: 12+

Twilight

Twilight
By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: Hated it!

A human girl, Bella, and a vampire boy, Edward. Both aware that love between the two is forbidden and dangerous. But their longing for each other sends them into a chaotic, lethal ride. Will Bella and Edward ever experience a happily ever after together? Possibly one of the worst books I’ve ever read. The main characters are Mary Sues and the plot is cliché and predictable.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Epitaph for a Peach


Epitaph for a Peach
By: David Mas Masumoto
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: Really like it

Epitaph for a Peach follows a peach and grape grower’s attempts to preserve an unpopular yet sweet and juicy peach variety from the commercial market. Mas Masumoto also relates his struggle to become an organic farmer and swears to find a home for his fruits. I liked this book. It has a lot of imagery and figurative language, which I appreciate, but I think some people will find this book boring.

Fablehaven

Fablehaven
By: Brandon Mull
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was amazing!

Thirteen year old Kendra and her eleven year old brother Seth are dropped off at their Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson’s place while their parents are on a trip. They meet the groundskeeper, Dale, and the housekeeper, Lena. They also learn that Grandma Sorenson is missing. What they don’t know is that Fablehaven is actually a preserve for magical beings and Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson are the caretakers. Kendra and Seth suddenly find themselves faced with overthrowing a witch and powerful demon, guarding the preserve from an enemy society, eliminating a disease that turn light creatures into dark creatures, and keeping infamous, evil demons in their dungeon. I really like this book! I think the plot is unique and the writing reels you in upon reading the first sentence.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By: Jeff Kinney
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was alright

A year in Greg Heffley’s life is far from normal. Besides starting middle school, he learns to deal with, among other things, being chased by teenagers on Halloween night, his failing friendship with his best friend, and the horrid, infamous cheese touch. Can a wimpy kid survive such a tough life? Cute book, definitely geared towards elementary kids.

Fast Food Nation

Fast Food Nation
By: Eric Schlosser
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was amazing!  

Ever wonder what’s in that McDouble you’re eating? Or what went into those curly fries you got from Arby’s? In this eye-opening novel, Eric Schlosser explores the dark secrets of the fast food industry, covering things from marketing towards kids to meat processing plants. If you read this book, you’ll most likely think twice about stopping to eat at McDonalds. It’s really insightful, though, so I recommend reading it.

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe
By: Daniel Defoe
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was amazing!

Young and shipwrecked on a deserted island, Robinson Crusoe is faced with challenge upon challenge. Learning to hunt and make his home on the island, the terrible realization of solitude kicks in. But one day he finds someone's footprint embedded in the sand. Has someone come to rescue him? Will he be able to return to his homecountry?
I love this book. It's a must read for anyone.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables
By: Lucy Maud Montgomery
Reviewed by: Aileen, 13
Rating: It was amazing!

I loved this book! I really like old-fashioned books, and this is one of my favorites. All of Anne's adventures are easy to get into, whether they're funny, sad, exciting, or embarrassing. I fall into books easily and I was TOTALLY lost in this story. I'm not telling any spoilers so you'll have to read it yourself to get a sense of how awesome this book is. Read it; you'll love it!

Ashleigh's Christmas Miracle

Ashleigh's Christmas Miracle
By: Joanna Campbell
Reivewed by: JNoto,14
Rating: It was alright

Ashleigh Griffen and Mike Reese are excitedly anticipating the birth of their first child, due after the New Year comes. However, the most unfortunate accident takes place on Christmas Eve: Ashleigh and her unborn baby’s life are on the edge after a stallion kicks Ashleigh during her trip around the stables.
Rushed to the hospital, the baby is born premature, with Ashleigh falling in and out of consciousness. Will Ashleigh overcome the consequence of the kick and watch as her beautiful daughter grows? Or will she leave her daughter and husband and descend into the darkness?
It wasn't really my cup of tea since it's partly centered around horses, but nonetheless still a good read!

Lizzie at Last

Lizzie at Last
By: Claudia Mills
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: Really liked it

As she enters the seventh grade, Lizzie Archer knows she can’t go through another year labeled as the star nerd. She can’t lower her IQ, so she settles for her next option: clothing. She dumps her Emily Dickinson dresses and slips into what every other girl wears. All of a sudden, Lizzie finds herself talking to popular girls and being teased by cute boys. But her braininess remains an obstacle, especially in her desire to get Ethan Winfield to notice her. So she begins to make mistakes, much to her teachers surprise and Ethan’s chagrin. Will she ever learn how to let her true colors show?
Cute book. I think a lot of young teens go through the identity crisis phase, similar to Lizzie.

A Journey to the Center of the Earth

A Jouney to the Center of the Earth
By: Jules Verne
Reivewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: Really liked it

In this thrilling novel, Professor Lidenbrock discovers a hidden message that is bound to lead to the center of the earth. Along with his nephew, Axel, and Hans, their guide, the trio descend into the mouth of a crater-impacted volcano. But the farther they descend, the smaller the prospect of making it back onto the surface becomes. Can they stay faithful to their ambitions and live to see the above world again?
Classic piece, I love this book.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
By: Sherman Alexie
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: Didn't like it 

Arnold Spirit Jr. isn’t your typical Indian living on a reservation. He was born with excess fluid in his brain, leaving Arnold with 42 teeth, big hands and feet, and an unusually thin physique. Not only that, but he has poor eyes sight, stutters, has a lisp, and has recurrent seizures. His only human friend is Rowdy, a tough and cynical boy on the reservation.
After a talk with his high school geometry teacher, Arnold decides to transfer to an all white school in Reardan. Though Rowdy tries to talk him out of it he sticks with his decision and the whole reservation basically becomes his enemies. As he learns to cope with a new society, Arnold deals with hardship after hardship. Can he ever learn to be true to himself?
Definitely NOT for anyone in elementary school!

Paint by Magic

Paint by Magic
By: Kathryn Reiss
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was alright

Eleven year old Connor returns home from school one day to possibly the biggest surprise of his life. His mother has become determined to make her family into a traditional cliché. She purged the house of computers and TVs, suddenly cooks amazing food, and has made plans to cut nearly all of her children’s co-curricular activities. Not only that, but she constantly becomes frozen in odd poses, as if caught on paper. Furthermore, she’s obsessed with an art book, which Connor later discovers has paintings of a woman that looks exactly like his mother.
When he touches one of the sketches in the book, he finds himself in the 1920’s, in the presence of the painter who painted his ‘mom’. Can he save his mother from her catatonic spells? And can he find out why his mother is multiple paintings over 80 years old? Overall a pretty good read, though the end's a bit cliché.

The Hunger Games


The Hunger Games
By: Suzanne Collins
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: Didn't like it

Katniss Everdeen lives in a post-apocalyptic nation known as Panem, on the land that was once called North America. Divided into twelve poverty stricken districts, Katniss lives in District 12, which provides coal for the wealthy Capitol. Each year the Hunger Games take place, a gruesome battle where two tributes, one boy and one girl, from each district travels to the Capitol and fight in an outdoor arena until one tribute is left alive. This year, Katniss and a boy named Peeta Mellark are District 12's tributes. Can they survive in the arena? Or will they choose to rebel against the Capitol and their President, who holds everything in the palm of his hand?
I was really excited when I read this book. There was all the hype built about it and I had so many expectations for this book. But, in the end, it turned out to be horrible. The bare plot, I admit, was brilliant. Twenty-four boys and girls competing till death? It's just brilliant. But the writing (not the eloquence, mind you) and character development was awful. Just awful. REALLY disappointed with The Hunger Games.

Needle and Thread

Needle and Thread
By: Ann M. Martin
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was alright

Flora and Ruby are just beginning to get settled in their new home. There are, though, separate thoughts that crowd the mind of them both and their two friends. For Flora, it’s the realization of spending a mid-autumn holiday without their parents; for Ruby, it’s earning a part in a school play. Olivia and Nikki have to adjust to a new life at home. Even with all the worries that plague their minds, the girls are able to get sustain their friendship and make it through the obstacles life throws at them. I felt that the second book of the Main Street series was a lot like the first, at least the general overview. I was kind of disappointed.

'Tis the Season


'Tis the Season
By: Ann M. Martin
Reviewed by: JNoto, 14
Rating: It was alright

Christmas is just around the corner and Flora and Ruby struggle to comprehend spending Christmas without their parents. Their grandmother and friends try to comfort them during such a confusing time. But behind the scenes, Nikki and Olivia have problems of their own that they must learn to cope with. Also, Flora and Ruby’s aunt drops by for a visit, which is sure to shake the whole town up. It’s a decent book and all, but, as I said earlier, each book feels too much like the last. Frankly, it got boring and I was glad this was the last book of the series.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men
By: John Steinbeck
Reviewed by: Karthik, 15
Rating: It was amazing!

Of mice and men is a heart endearing tale of two friend during the 1930's in post recession america. However early on I would like to state that this book is not for children under the age of 14 or those without a ear for harsh language and sorrow. Lennie is mentally retarded, with the mind of a four year old. George takes care of him. This friendship makes a lasting tale and proposes main ideas of suffering vs death and the role that human interaction plays in out lives. I would highly recommend this book to anyone included in my statement above and even to adults, so recommend away, this is a book, nay an american classic that will not disappoint.

Recommeded to: Over 14 and not sensitive to vulgar language/profaar language/profanity.

The Pearl


The Pearl
By: John Steinbeck
Reviewed by: Veronica, 14
Rating: It was alright

It had such a horrid ending. It was a really well written but depressing. People should read it but don't expect a happy ending it is about a family and their village and their life is destroyed by greed of a pearl.

Recommeded to: Everyone (but dont read it for english class especially if you have my teacher).