Major Barbara

Major Barbara


By: George Bernard Shaw
Reviewed by: szoghi, 17
Rating: Really liked it


This book is a funny short story, approximately 80 pages long. The key themes which jump out at the reader are religion and cynicism of society. The story starts out the Britomart family in need of money. The ex-husband, Andrew Undershaft, a successful arms dealer, is needed to assist the three children financially. On a surprise visit, Andrew sees his children whom he hasn't seen for many years. The main character, Barbara, of the Salvation Army, is very religious and dedicated to change her father's views on warfare and religion. Thus, without spoiling the book, the story shows the approaches Barbara and Undershaft take in trying to convert eachother's beliefs. This was a very funny story that took me a weekend to read. The language isn't too complex, thus in general, people won't have trouble understanding the diction.


Recommended to: Ages 12 and up

Billy Budd

Billy Budd


By: Herman Melville
Reviewed by: szoghi, 17
Rating: Really liked it


Although the book, Billy Budd, is difficult to read, the amount of depth that is packed into it makes it a very worthwhile. Since I don't want to give out too much about the book, I will provide a background for it. The story is about a young British sailor, Billy, who is very loyal to his shipmates and captain. He is loved by many. However, he is also hated by many because they are jealous of him. Thus, the story is about his experiences and struggles with those around him. It is a very interesting book. However, I recommend reading it with a parent, teacher, or friend if you want to understand the deep meaning in it.


Recommended to: Ages 14 and up

Someone Like You

Someone Like You


By: Sarah Dessen
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 16
Rating: Really liked it


The reason why I love this story is because the plot between the characters Halley and Scarlett are relatable and also the issues in it interest to me.

Halley and Scarlett are both juniors in high school and are best friends. In the story, they have mentioned much of what the two have done together as best friends. The story starts with Scarlett losing her boyfriend Michael in a motorcycle crash. And not too long after, Scarlett realizes that she is pregnant with her deceased boyfriend's baby. And at that time, she needs her best friend the most to help her get through these hard times. Also at the same time, Halley is dealing with her new boyfriend, Macon and problems with her parents about rules.

Many of the issues are issues that many teenagers can relate to. I am very envious of the strong relationship that Halley and Scarlett have as friends and how long they have been friends for. Also, I like the description the author used of the various scenes.

The story is pretty touching and the story has a fantastic ending and teaches many lessons about life and friendship.


Recommended to: Almost everyone especially teenage girls

Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Doo-Wops & Hooligans

By: Bruno Mars
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 16
Rating: Really liked it


Bruno Mars is, what I think, one of the rare singers that actually write and use their actual voices (his singing voice is beautiful) in songs these days.

One of his songs, "Just the way you are" has a good message to people out there, to just be the way you are. That's a sentence that a guy could say to a girl that will brighten her day very much. Also, the chorus isn't repetitive at all compared to many songs today but is really creative. Another song, "Grenade" has a creative chorus and lyrics and effectively expresses his feelings to that person he is singing about.

Overall, the album is worth checking out but the radio stations have overplayed the songs to the point of not wanting to her them again.


Recommended to: Almost everyone

Loud

Loud

By: Rihanna
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 16
Rating: It was alright...


Alas, I have not reviewed in over a month. Anyways, the last time I reviewed Rihanna was on her last album titled "Rated R" which I said I did not like. With her most recent album "Loud", I would say it is better than her last album but it is not as good as her songs in the past (e.g. from her "Good Girl Gone Bad" album).

The song I enjoyed was "What's my Name" with Drake featured in it. I like the content of the lyrics and how much of a mini-love story it sounds and with Drake included, it makes it even better. Also, that was probably one of the only few songs that did not sound too electronic and shows Rihanna's true singing ability (The accompanying music video shows the chemistry between the two). The song "Only Girl (in the World" sounds very repetitive in the chorus, but I like the idea that one wants to feel like they are the only girl in the world to that guy. The song "S&M" makes Rihanna seem very sadistic and masochistic (the whole purpose of the song) and again, the chorus is very repetitive. The song "Cheers (Drinks to That)" is a song that has Avril Lavigne as one of the writers and has some qualities from one of Lavigne's songs "I'm with you" and also has repetitive lyrics. All the songs on the album are catchy but have very lacking lyrics with a few exceptions. Overall, if it weren't for "What's my Name", then the album would have been far more lacking. Overall, the album is okay.


Recommended to: Rihanna fans, etc...

The Skin I'm In

The Skin I'm In


By: Sharon G. Flake
Reviewed by: Teralyn E., 14
Rating: Really liked it


I believe I've done a review on another Sharon Flake book, a grouping of short stories about girls and the boys they liked.

This book was very similar, about a young African-American girl who didn't quite know who she was. But her issue was the tone of her skin. She was dark, and people teased her about it.

The story was good, it wasn't stereotypical, wasn't overly-dramatic, and wasn't overly-raw. It was really a good read, and I enjoyed it a lot.

While there was some violence (high-school type fights) and a lot of attitude/wrongdoing, these action were made clear to be wrong. There was no swearing, even from the bullies!

The story had a positive message: Love the skin you're in.


Recommended to: Girls, 12+

Eleventh Grade Burns

Eleventh Grade Burns


By: Heather Brewer
Reviewed by: Kimmy, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This is my second time reading The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, but I do not have the last book. So, I'm stuck reading a suspenseful ending in the forth book. I have no idea why I like this series so much, it can't be that I like vampire books because I hated every other vampire book I've read. Maybe it's the fact that you can tell what his life would be like if Vlad wasn't a vampire;The books don't just keep talking about how he is a vampire. And, the author, Heather Brewer, talks about Vlad like normal, like being a vampire is normal.

The series can always make me laugh. Because Vlad can read minds and make people think or do anything, he almost always finds away to make it humiliating for them but funny for the reader.

The series can also make me feel sorrow for characters. Like when Vladimir talks about how his parents died and thinking it is all him to blame. I think that could make anyone at least feel something...

I would also like to know how Heather came up with the idea of a character like Vladimir Tod. Vladimir is like no other character I have ever read about before. I think it would be awesome if I got to met her.


Recommended to: Everyone that loves goth-vampire skinny boys

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451


By: Ray Bradbury
Reviewed by: I wish I had a witty name, 15
Rating: Really liked it


Fahrenheit 451 evolves around a futuristic, totalitarian America in which up is down and down is up. Firemen create fires instead of putting them out, literture is outlawed, death and suicides are the norm- society is on the verge of collapse and no one is willing to step up and do something about it. Except for Guy Montag.

I usually don't read books twice because life is just to short, but maybe I'll reconsider just for this one.


Recommended to: everyone

Carrie

Carrie


By: Stephen King
Reviewed by: Angel R., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


What an amazing book.The first book by stephan king.And they have a right to call it brillant. I give it 5out of 5 stars. A rare rating review by me.


Recommended to: anyone who loves horror

I Am J

I Am J


By: Cris Beam
Reviewed by: Teralyn E., 14
Rating: It was amazing!


I got this book from the 'Free Friday' event hosted here on the Fresno Libary's website. I didn't read the synopsis until after I had been declared the winner. After reading what it was about, I thought it would be a little weird (I can't reacall ever reading anything in the category of 'queer lit') but I also thought it would be interesting.

J, formerly known as Jeni, was born as a girl. J never thought of himself as a girl, he always thought as a boy. Until puberty. His body began to (obviously) show signs of the fact that he was a girl, and he began to hate evry inch of himself for it.

During J's senior year, he was finally determined to make his lifelong dream come true- He wanted to be a real boy. Known by society as a male, not just to himself in his head.

This book shows how difficult it is to be accepted for who we really are, it shows the bias of people, and how it affects those who are being biased against. It shows the celebration of gender-differences, not by how we look, but by how we percieve ourselves.

There is some language, and the subject of the book itself may not be appealing to some readers, but this was a really nice book. It let the reader get a glance into the truth behind transgender people, and the process it takes to transition.

Very touching story.


Recommended to: Older Teens