Summer Reading 2014: 5 Centimeters per Second

5 Centimeters per Second

Reviewed by: Trina N.
By: Makoto Shinkai
Rating: It was Amazing!

This is one of my favorite manga books. It is also a novel and was made into a movie. The story is set in Japan beginning from the 1990s and ending in modern day. Takaki Tono is the main character. As a kid he meets Akari and becomes best friends with her. As time passes, Akari has to transfer and Takaki eventually has to transfer also. They keep in touch by letters but eventually grow apart. The rest of the story is basically the rest Takaki's life. This is a story of romance and life. I can relate to this story so much.

I would recommend this to: Anime and manga fans. Ages 12 and up. People who love romance and want a relatable story to their lives.

Summer Reading 2014: Summerland

Summerland

Reviewed by: Avery W.
By: Michael Chabon
Rating: It was Amazing!

An ancient villain, known as Coyote, wants to poison the Lodgepole, the giant invisible tree that connects all the worlds. Ethan Feld, a kid who is terrible at baseball, has been chosen by the Ferishers (a very old race of small humanoids from another world) to save the Lodgepole, and the universe with it. He and the baseball team he creates while traveling through fantastic lands have to get to Murmury Well in time to stop Coyote and rescue Ethan's father. This is an amazing tale that seamlessly blends mythology from cultures around the world (including Native American), high-paced action, baseball, airships, and the power of underdogs into something you'll never forget. This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I highly recommend that you read it, too.

I would recommend this to: Anyone 12+ who likes baseball and fantasy but has yet to find a book that combines the two into something so incredible.

Summer Reading 2014: Extras

Extras

Reviewed by: Juliette Z.
By: Scott Westerfeld
Rating: Really Liked It

In the conclusion book of the Uglies series, we get to see the world from the point of view of Aya. She is a fifteen year old living in the world "After Tally" and the mind rain. The government is a system of ranking. Everybody has a feed starting at a very young age and depending on their popularity and how popular their feed is, they are ranked. The higher ranked people get more privileges and nicer things than the lower ranked. Aya is ranked in the 400,000's and is considered an extra. Her older brother Hiro is a "kicker" and among the top 1,000. One night, Aya follows a girl after a party and meets the mysterious Sly Girls. They are legendary and Aya knows she has found the story that will make her famous. The only problem is the Sly Girls don't like to be popular, so to become accepted by the girls, Aya must first disappear. As her rank drops lower and lower Aya begins you don't need a high rank to be happy. In fact, she feels more free now. Will she be loyal to the girls, the only true friends she's ever had? Or will she take the chance and use their story to become famous, but betray the girls in the process? Oh yeah, and Tally Youngblood might get involved... ;)

I recommend you read the first 3 books in the series before tackling this one.

Here are the books in order:
1) Uglies
2) Pretties
3) Specials
4) Extras

Happy Reading!!!

I would recommend this to: Anyone 12 and up

Summer Reading 2014: The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

Reviewed by: Rodolfo T.
By: John Green
Rating: It was amazing!

It was good and it was very romantic I really liked it but I cried at the end and yes its about cancer.

I would recommend this to: People who love romance

Paws to Read: Summer Reading Program 2014

Summer is here and so is your chance for some amazing prizes and activities! Just click on the paw logo to visit the "Paws to Read" website and start your journey today. As a bonus, every teen that submits a review during the summer reading program will automatically receive a free book!

Teen Tech Week Review: Project Paper Doll: The Rules

Project Paper Doll: The Rules


Reviewed by: Ofelia F.
By: Stacey Kade
Rating: It was amazing!

Check out the Animoto video review here!

I would recommend this to: Any person who loves to read science fiction and romance together.

Teen Tech Week Review: An Old Fashioned Girl

An Old Fashioned Girl


Reviewed by: Eliza S.
By: Louisa May Alcott
Rating: It was amazing!

Check out the Animoto video review here!

I would recommend this to: Girls 12-17

A Simple Song

A Simple Song

Reviewed by: Eliza S.
By: Melody Carlson
Rating: Really Liked It

Katrina Yoder tried to hold back tears as she watched her Mammi's casket being lowered into the grave. She cringed as she remembered how hard her daed had worked on building that casket just the day before, and how much pain he had been in because of his back problems. How would her family ever get enough money to pay for the surgery her daed needs?
When her best friend tells her she could win a million dollars in a singing show called American Star she wonders whether or not she should do it. Would she be able to face the busy city as an Amish teenager out in the English world for her first time on her own? And if she goes will her family accept her back, Even though Amish do not permit singing for pleasure?
I really enjoyed this book. The only things that kept me from rating it "It was amazing" was some underage drinking and teen romance other than that it was very good.

I would recommend this to: Anybody! It is perfect for boys and girls!

Jude

Jude

Reviewed by: Liliana O.
By: Kate Morgenroth
Rating: It was amazing!

 When fifteen-year-old Jude's father is brutally murdered, Jude is a witness. However, he can't tell the police what he knows. Jude is determined to clear his name and win the approval of his mother who happen to be the district attorney he has not seen since he was an infant. However, Jude agrees to a crazy scheme to protect her political future. But he doesn't know that there are buried secrets that will require him to sacrifice more than he ever imagined

I would recommend this to: Anybody! It is perfect for boys and girls!

Axis Powers Vol 1, Vol 2

Axis Powers Vol 1, Vol 2

Reviewed by: Trina N.
By: Himaruya Hidekaz
Rating: It was amazing!

his is my favorite manga series and my favorite anime series ever! It's about the countries of the world, except they have become people/characters. They repeat history such as World War 1 and 2. It's really funny of how the countries react to each other. Italy is the main character. He's really cute and funny. There are many other countries too. It's addicting?

I would recommend this to: Teens who love manga/history and who won't mind stereotypes of countries