A Child Called “It” by Dave Pelzer AR: 5 Points
Reviewed by Byron Stokes
I read A Child Called It in eighth grade. Never before have had I read a book as heartwarming as that. The book was about an orphan who lost everything that made him happy. The book is an auto-biography, written by Dave Pelzer who describes his life as a child. The book is very lengthy but once you start reading, it is hard to put the book down. I recommend this book to mainly girls. Yes I admit, this book is a chick flick but it’s a very acceptable book for guys as well. Anyone who can’t stand child abuse should not read this book. A Child Called It will change the way you think of younger children. I guarantee when you have finished the book you will say “I will never treat my child like that”. I bet you $1 that you will.
A Shore Thing by Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi
Reviewed by: Michael M., New Jersey, Grade 10
Fiction
Gia and Bella want to have the best summer ever. While they couldn’t be more different, Gia is the fun party girl; Bella looks for love anywhere she goes. There summer is always crazy though. Crashing and killing every place they go they don’t ever stop. Gia working at a tan salon and with her crazy cool boss, that tan salon was never boring. Gia one day at the beach saving everyone from a shark on the shore made her a shore celebrity in one day. Everyone partied with her and recognized her everywhere she went. Gia meets a firefighter who the perfect guido for her. Bella wants to kill her ex where she finally gets her stress out from going to the beat up that beat dance class. Where she meets tony, or what she says the best thing in the Jersey shore. The two cousins realize that everyone they thought were friends they slowly find out they aren’t. Before leaving the shore the family and friends relationships will come and go. What will happen at the shore?
I really liked this book because Gia and Bella were two fun characters to read about. It reminded of me how much fun summer is and it brought some summer to my mind. It was a fun book, and a book that had all the great expectations you can have for a book. Reading from a mind watching these two girls having fun and their drama at the shore, it made reading the book really fun.
Along for the Ride AR: 15 points Publishing: Viking 2009
Review by: Hannah Schmitt; New Jersey, Grade 9
Young Adult
If all you’ve ever done in your life was work and worry about your future, what would it be like to have a “care-free” summer in a beach town like Colby? This is what happens to Auden West, an 18 year planning to go to an exquisite college after summer and has never really had fun doing normal things, such as even riding a bike. Because of this, a new friend, Eli, takes her on a quest to experience everything she’s missed, and at the same time, a romance blossoms between them.
Unfortunately secrets and lies threaten to pull apart everyone Auden has begun to care about, even her own family. But through all this, she still manages to somehow ignore this and focus on just getting through summer, until something threatens this plan.
Sarah Dessen genuinely knows how to capture her readers into wanting more. She used such vivid detail to describe the scene and all the people included that it was like a movie playing in my head. I could not put this book down and I recommend it for anyone who loves a good, long story about drama and summer love.
Around the World in 80 Days AR: 2 points
Review by Nicholas B., New Jersey, Grade 10
Classic
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne is a very interesting because it will always keep your attention. This book is about Phileas Fogg an English man who lived in London bet most of his saving that he could travel around the world in 80 days. Before he left he hired servant named Passepartout. The author makes this book enjoyable and intresting at the same time. Also if you are going to read different versions of the book this is a good starter. Making my recenended audience beginners to classical books.
This book does have one flaw. This book is too easy and the next version of the book is too hard. To take back from that The large font size makes it flow better. In my opinion this is still one of my favorite books and will alway be around because it is a classic.
Bait
Alex Sanchez
Reviewed by Taylor Johnson
Bait is about a boy named Diego who has gone through so much in his life. He takes his pain out on his self by doing harmful things. He has an anger management problem and has been to court and Juvie many times. He created a connection with his probation officer because he felt like he would listen to him. When the judge said that Diego didn’t need a probation officer any more he told the judge he did so he would have someone to listen to him. He found a girl who really cares about him and he never thought that would happen because of his life. Now he’s debating whether he should tell her his stories. Would it scare her and push her away or will she understand.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl AR: 21.0 Points
Reviewed by: Joseph M., New Jersey, Grade 9
Fiction (Super Natural)
Gatlin. The most boring town on earth where nothing remotely exciting happens. These are the words of a boy named Ethan Wate. Ethan is like any other boy. All that and he’s hated by one girl in his school, his dad’s a shut in after his mother died, and his house maid named, Amma, is obsessed with the afterlife, and charms. Nothing is different, until a new girl comes to town. The same girl from Ethan’s dreams, and the niece of Macon Ravenwood, the creepiest man in town. Ethan, and the girl Lena, are drawn together inexplicably by love. If dealing with high school, basketball, a girl who hates him, a crazy house maid, a shut in father, and a new girl who’s despised by town, Ethan’s in for the surprise of his life because not all secrets can be kept.
I would recommend this book to anyone, who likes mystery, suspense, love, fiction, a good villain, and a twisted plot line. This book doesn’t follow a one track model of fiction, so it will lead in more directions than one!
The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Reviewed by Jenn Aparicio
Pages: 552
Genre: Historical Fiction
AR points: 18
Publisher: Random House Inc.
The Book Thief starts with the main character, Liesel Meminger, traveling to her new home during the Holocaust. Her mother is very ill so she must leave with her new foster parents. On the way her younger brother dies and as they burry him she sees a book on the ground and that is where her stealing books habit begins. The author describes her book stealing and her life in her new home in the point of view of Death. It is very unique and you will be very surprised on Deaths thoughts on humans. In my opinion this was a wonderful book about love, friendship, courage, and loyalty. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the Holocaust and long books.
City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare Fiction- Action/Adventure
Reviewed by Emanuel Curry
The City of Bones is an exciting tale about a girl, Clary, who finds out she is apart of a clan of demon hunters, known as the Shadowhunters. However her mother, was kidnapped before Clary knew. And Clary goes on adventure after adventure trying to comprehend her mother’s past, as well as to save her mother’s future.
Cassandra Clare writes in a incredibly brilliant and intuitive style. The plot has millions of twist and turns of drama with fields and actions, that gives little reprieve for the readers mind; that will have you love & hate the book. The way Cassandra creates her characters with realistic personalities and diversity; that makes you believe you know how they will react, but you get a whole other side of them.
When you read this book you will be addicted to the series. The rising action will spin you right ‘round like a rollercoaster, and the climax will drive you crazy, and then the end, the cliff-hanger, will leave you desperate to know what happens next. The next book is the City of Ashes, but you have to read the City of Bones to get there... hope you can handle the ride.
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks AR: 10 Points
Reviewed by: Alex Fiore
Non- Fiction
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks was an intriguing love story about two people that fall in love and plan to live the rest of their lives together, but sometimes things don’t always go as planned. John, one of the main characters, leaves for Germany because he is part of the military. One summer when john was back home he met a beautiful girl named Savannah and they hit it off form the start. When things take a turn for the worse, John is called back to Germany to fight in the war. A couple months later when John comes home he expects everything to be the same just as he left but Savannah has other plans.
I love Dear John because it never had a dull moment. The connection John and Savannah has is amazing and it wonderful to read about. When you read Dear John you will feel like you’re there and going through all the obstacials the main characters go through. Dear John was a great book and I would definatly recommend it to anyone who likes love stories
Deathly Hallows
AR: 36 pts
Josi Matson
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh book in the Harry Potter fantasy series by the legendary J.K. Rowling. It was published by Scholastic and Bloomsbury, with 759 pages. Rowling’s writing has a specific style, being subtle at one page but direct with the next. Her story twists and turns with each chapter, and unpredictable events happen every moment.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had dropped out of Hogwarts to hunt for the Horcruxes of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Dark forces threaten to rip them apart at every turn, and Dumbledore, who’s dead, can’t support them anymore. The trio took endless months camping out all over the country, hoping to find a shred of information to where Voldemort’s Horcruxes might be. They arrive at Howarts, where one is rumored to be located, but the biggest battle begins and nothing will ever stay the same.
I loved HP7 so much that I reread it many times. My number one character is Lord Voldemort. To find a favorite character or part of your own, read the book.
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen AR:12
Review by: Brianna Burgess, Grade 10
Realistic Fiction
Caitlin woke up on her 16th birthday to the absence of her eighteen year old sister Cass. She ran away from home and has a full scholarship to Yale to attend to in two weeks. The parents are heartbroken that there intelligent daughter just left out of nowhere, without a good reason to leave. The only thing that the parents can do is go around and search for Cass. The search ended when Cass finally decided to give a call and let her parents know she is all right. On the other hand Caitlin is getting into bad things. Caitlin meets a boy named Rogerson that ends up being her boyfriend. Rogerson had a bad boy look and instantly Caitlin was interested. And bad was what she got. Rogerson’s bad habits, doing drugs and drinking, got Caitlin to do them too. She was so in love with him that she even didn’t mind him beating her. Will Cass return home and will Caitlin tell someone?
I enjoyed reading this book because even though nothing was going right with the family there was still hope within the chapters. I could honestly say that when I was reading this book I felt like a bystander towards the drama and madness in the book. I would recommend this book to females, mostly because this book shows the realness of the domestic violence that could happen in a relationship. This book is not for people in elementary school. Due to the language and events thought this book. I am not a big reader and I finished this book in less than a week. Therefore, if you’re not a big reader this is the book for you.
Eragon by Christopher Palini AR: 25
Review by: Johnny C, New Jersey, Grade: 10
Every little boys dream is to own a dragon. But In Alagaësia, owning a dragon is much more than having a fire breathing pet. Owning a dragon means you have the responsibility of a dragon rider. The book “Eragon” is about a boy named well…Eragon, When he finds a blue stone in the Spine his life is completely changed, he then has the responsibility of rebelling against Galbatorix , a dragon rider so evil, so monstrous, that he has killed every other existing dragon known. Oh, and I forgot to add that Eragon lives in a small little village out in the middle of nowhere, barely enough population to even go on the map. Doesn’t sound so hard ehh? How does Eragon learn how to tam the dragon? How does Eragon learn magic? Read the book to find out!
I would recommend this book to anyone that has a love for nonfiction. For anyone that has a love for adventure. For anyone that has a love for dragons. Everything about Eragon was amazing, from the plot line, to the depth of the characters and the setting, all the way to the secret romance. The author made the book come together perfectly.
Fade by Lisa McMann AR: 6.0
Reviewed by Lissa Zambrano, Grade 10
Fiction
After figuring out her new power, Janie gets another big assignment. Finding out who the sexual predators are from her school will be hard, she will have to risk love and many other things. This book is interesting and fascinating; it makes you want to keep on reading. I like t his book because of the way it keeps going without getting bored. It’s well organized and it’s easy to understand. There are a lot of actions going on and it has a nice translation, moves from suspense to calm. But sometimes there are too much things going on at one point which makes it hard to understand what the author is trying to say or explain. People who like to read actions books and people who like suspense would enjoy reading this book.
Glass by Ellen Hopkins
Glass by Ellen Hopkins really intrigued and interested me. It is a fiction book with 681 pages, but I went though those pages in a blast because I was really into the story line of this book. I would recommend this book to 16 and older girls that like different in- depth life stories about a girl doing the wrong things and continuously making mistakes in the world. The main characters in Glass are Kristina who is also Bree, the different side of Kristina. Her boyfriend Trey and his cousin Brad that Kristina lives with. Kristina’s mom and step father Scott, who throws her out of the house when she is a misfit at babysitting her 1 year old son Hunter. Kristina also has a dad that lives in Albuquerque that got her hooked back onto ice. As the book progresses on Kristina makes the dumbest decisions of her life, but starts to understand that making these decisions is affecting her life, her family and her son but as soon as she takes a hit she doesn’t care and becomes Bree, the fun side of Kristina and just blows everything off to make more bad decisions. But in the end she faces serious consequences under serious conditions. Ellen Hopkins really has a unique technique of writing her novels, they are not regular full pages, she used her words to make pictures and capture the eye and imagination. Her writing was very unique, descriptive and very creative and it really keeps you interested as the reader. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the story line and how it is based on a true story. I could connect with some of the mistakes and feelings she felt and went through, as I’m sure any girl could relate to Kristina’s feelings because she experienced everything. I did not dislike anything about this book, I just preferred the first series; CRANK over GLASS because I had more connections. But all in all it was a magnificent book and would interest anybody!
Glass AR: 8 Points
Publishing: Simon & Shuster Publishing Division 2007
Author: Ellen Hopkins / Genre: Realistic Fiction & Drama / Number of Pages: 681
Review By: Madelyn Aceituno- Ortiz
The book that I read this year that really had my attention was called Glass. This book by Ellen Hopkins is one of those books that can easily relate to you or something else. Glass is a continuation of a gripping story you never want to stop reading. Yes, it is part of a series, Glass is book number 2. First comes Crank, then Glass, followed by the last book Fallout!
Kristina the main character also known as Bree was raped and left pregnant. Still a teen she gave birth to a baby boy named Hunter. But before he came Kristina was led into the wrong path back when she went to visit her father. Crank was her monster at first but in this book she got introduced into a stronger drug which they call Glass. As an addict and a bad young mother she is kicked out of her house by her Mom, and step dad Scott. Still in love with Adam, she met a new boy named Trey. Trey in her eyes is the perfect guy she can imagine, but how will they manage when there are problems here and there.
In this book you will read on how Kristina manages to live with her mistake-filled life, but trust me you will enjoy every part of it. I would recommend this to any mature teenager who enjoys reading about what could be real life consequences, and drama. This series will become your next addiction. You will be left on the edge of your seat once you've finished. There's absolutely nothing anyone can dislike about this book because it is truly a great book! But there is one thing you may like which is the, fact that it is a very easy read! Hope you enjoy!
Gym Candy by: Carl Deuker
Review by: Joey Radley, Grade 10
Realistic fiction
Gym candy by Carl Deuker is about Mick Johnosn gets his spot at starting lineup at HB on the Varsity football team. He soon doubts himself if he can keep the spot and thinks his not good enough so tries to up his chances in keeping the starting spot. But he has no self confidence and thinks he will be horrible without the gym candy.
Readers that like football or a true story that happens in real life would enjoy this book. Even if u don’t know football you can still read this book and connect to the book. The author was very realistic and seems like he had first hand experience on some things.
The Haunting
Author: Joan Lowery Nixon AR points: 7.0
Genre: teen mystery Pages: 184
Reviewed by Emily Finn
The story kicks off when the main character, fifteen-year-old Lia Starling, is told by her dying great-grandmother that she has to save the family plantation, Graymoss. Before finally inheriting Graymoss, however, Lia has to read her great-great-great grandmother Charlotte’s diary. While reading she makes a shocking discovery- Graymoss is supposedly haunted! But the worst news is yet to come- her parents, whose dream it was to adopt a dozen children and give them all a home, plan to do just that, and bring them all to the plantation. Lia starts out trying to convince her parents that Graymoss really is haunted- until she meets a few of the candidates for her knew brothers and sisters. This warms her heart and makes it her goal to rid the estate of its evil once and for all.
This book is not for the faint of mind, as its events could be quite frightening to those unprepared. I would recommend this book to those who like a thrill, and those who like to try to solve mysteries before the main character does, because this book presents a challenge for them. ‘The Haunting’ is a great read, and I enjoyed it very much.
The Host by Stephenie Meyer AR: 29 points
Publisher: Little Brown Pages: 640
Review By: Kriti Pallava
Adult Science Fiction
The Host is a very interesting book that keeps you reading consistently until you finish. While it’s a little slow in the beginning, it makes up for it if you keep reading. It’s about how Earth has been taken over by a group of alien’s (they call themselves souls) that control the brains of their human “hosts”; while the human inside can see and hear everything they can’t control their body. Human kind tried to put up a fight but the “souls” had advanced technologies that surpass ours.
The story revolves around a “soul” named Wanderer who is given the body of a human, Melanie, who keeps resisting. Wander is given the job of trying to figure out why and what she is trying to hide. There have been humans in “hiding” making plans of taking the Earth back, so its Wanderer’s job to find out if their location is what Melanie is trying to hide. The best part about this book is that the story is original; it makes you think in a different perspective because the narrator is the alien. It’s a book “featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies." It is very smoothly written with fascinating characters and a unique plot. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes science fiction and has the patience to read a 640 page book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Review by Edgar Paul Pauta, NJ Grade 10
Science Fiction/ Thriller
What would you do if you were chosen to fight for your life and kill everybody else in
order to survive and win. That’s what Katniss had to go through. Decide what to hunt or were
to run if hunted. The Hunger Games is an amazing book that everybody should read and
experience. Once you start reading it, you just don’t want to stop, it’s just that good. At times I
felt like it did move to slow and some unnecessary pages that were just there to break the
action.
The authors’ writing was very vivid and intriguing that it would always pull you in. I
would recommend this novel to anybody who likes action and suspenseful books. It’s a really
entertaining book that will literally keep you on the edge of your seat. Will Katniss survive the
Games or will she just be another piece of the puzzle? You’re just going to have to read the
book to find out. Unlike Katniss, The Hunger Games is something you do want to experience!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
AR point: 15
Review by: Nayab Goraya, Grade 9th
Science-fiction/ Thriller
The Hunger games the most fascinating book I have ever read. When you read this book you just cannot let go of it. It’s a combination of nerve-racking tension, thrilling action, and engaging love story kept me up for hours. The plot of this book was completely engrossing and it moved very smoothly.
The Hunger Games is set up in an unspecified future time when conditions for humanity are unimaginably bad. North America is broken down in to 12 districts called Panem. Each year one boy and a girl from all the districts are chosen by reaping. This game is a matter of life and death, and only tributes that are twelve to eighteen years old are legally approved to play. The main purpose of this game is to please the Capitol or one that controls the Panem. The important main characters are Katniss Everdeen from district twelve that takes her sister’s place during the reaping and Peeta Mellark who is also picked to play. Both of these contestants know each other a little bit. Katniss, a benevolent girl, has done a lot of favors for her family for example hunting food to keep her sister and mom alive. This might be the last time she sees her lovable sister Prim. As nice she is Katniss shows her real ruthless battle field skills in the arena and Peeta on the other hand also protects Katniss from any harm. The plot revolves around the survival performance of the members of the districts and team work.
I thought this book had amazing sensory details, there was always action going on and fake romance. This book was written very well but the only thing that I disliked was that part one was a little slow, but don’t abandon this book you will regret it. I would like to recommend this book to people who prefer battlefield violence and a lot of action.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Reviewed by: John Patricolo AR: 15
Period:8
Science-fiction/Thriller
Imagine a society that annually forces a group of children to fight each other to the death on live television. This is the situation in Suzanne Collins’ futuristic novel entitled The Hunger Games. During this time period, the world is controlled by a mysterious group of people who live in a luxurious city called the Capitol. The rest of the people in what once was North America, live in poverty and fear in twelve districts. The only occupations available to them, for the most part, are coal mining, farming, and working in factories.
The 24 contestants for the hunger games consist of one boy and one girl, ages 12 to 18, from each district. They are dropped into a locked arena and left to fight each other for survival. The winner of the hunger games is rewarded with a lifetime of wealth, fame and “freedom.” The protagonist and narrator, sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to participate in these “Games” in place of her twelve year old sister Prim when she is chosen by lottery. It comes as no surprise that Katniss takes her sister’s place because she has been taking care of her mother and sister ever since her father’s untimely death in a mining accident. Katniss’ rebellious, yet caring, nature is evident right from the start of the novel. She has been risking her life by sneaking out of the district at night to find food sources for her family. This poaching was an act punishable by death if she had been caught. During the “Games,” Katniss begins to develop feelings for her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta. They form a fake alliance in order to get sponsors who will provide helpful supplies once they are in the arena.
This well written young adult novel has something for every reader. It contains both emotional and physical conflicts as well as a potential love story. The Hunger Games keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and reading well into the early morning hours. Once started, it is difficult to put this book down because of its many unpredictable twists and turns. The characters are realistic, possessing both positive and negative qualities. It is very easy to identify with both Katniss and Peeta as they struggle to survive The Hunger Games. I highly recommend this book to people of all genders and ages who are looking for a great read.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Reviewed by Brandon Cortese
This book is about a land where the U.S. once stood, but in the future. It consisted of thirteen districts that all made a different sort of material for the main city, The Capital. In the past the districts tried to turn on The Capital, but failed. So to put an iron fist on their mistakes The Capital blew up district thirteen and once a year on the day of the rebellion each district is forced to pick at random one boy and girl ages 12-18 to compete in a battle to the death on live television. This is entertainment to The Capital but pure horror to the districts. The main character, Katniss, takes the place of her twelve year old sister to fight in the arena.
What I enjoyed about the author is the depth she went into with the characters, they all seemed real. It’s as if she is a kid and understands what it’s like to be one. Not like all other books the main character is either skinny, geeky and has no friends or extremely cool and good looking but out of nowhere a flaw comes in! I literally read this book for four straight hours, I could not put it down, every now and then there would be a huge twist and it would keep me reading more. I loved the action and intensity of the book, also it was if I knew the characters and cared for their deaths. What you have to keep in mind is the mind-blowing truth that only one kid out of twenty-four can emerge victorious in the hunger games.
I would recommend this book to people thirteen to eighteen because they are the audience that will truly connect to these characters considering they are all their ages. But if you do like action or drama this book is definitely right for you, especially if you’re not a reader this book will get you hooked on books for a while, like it did to me. Reading is very important so anyone who dislikes reading should really give this book a chance because everyone I know, reader or non-reader, read this book in under a week and loved it!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne B. Collins
Review by: Ryan Baur, Grade 10
Science Fiction/Thriller
The Hunger Games was by far one of the greatest, most suspenseful, descriptive piece of writing I have read since "Harry Potter". Suzanne Collins' writing perfect writing techniques allow the plot to flow smoothly and keep the reader hooked. The Hunger Games will keep you up all night reading it's suspenseful plot in anticipation of what happens next.
The book takes place in a country divided into twelve districts by the capitol called Panem. Because of a rebellion staged by the twelve districts 74 years ago, the capitol has a lottery each year in every district to pick the next two contestants to compete in the Hunger Games. Once in the Hunger Games the contestants are forced to fight each other to the death in an all out free for all. There are no rules and the last man standing wins.
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Reviewed by: Andrius B., New Jersey, Grade 10
Pages: 459 AR Pts: 11.0
A poor boy with the worst luck, lives in New Orleans just discovers a whole diffrent side of the world. First Nick's friends betray him and tries to kill him. But out of no where a mysterious tall man beat the so called "friends". But Nick got shot before he beat the three guys. Nick went to the hospital and when he gets out of the hospital. The whole world changes for him. First zombies start chasing after him. Then ghost try to kill him. Later demons try to control him.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Review by Rachel Katawick
The book I read during this school year, was called ‘The Lovely Bones’. This book was written by Alice Sebold in 2002, this book has 328 pages with the A.R. level of 16. This book could be described as suspense and drama because of this captivating story line. On December 16, 1973 Susie Salmon was raped and murdered by her creepy neighbor, George Harvey. Susise, after being murdered is stuck between the two worlds, and trys to lead her family into the capture of her rapist/murderer. I love this book specifically because the perspectives change throughout the book. You have the perspectives of George, Susie, Lindsay (her sister) and her mother & father. The one thing I don’t like, however is the fact that the attack is so gruesum. The descrpition is rough, but you get over it. This book would be rated an all around 10 out of 10.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold AR: 16 points
Review by: Ramzi H., New Jersey, Grade 9
Murder/Psychological Fiction, 328 p.
Imagine yourself at the age of fourteen, starting out in High School, and having your first relationship. Now imagine yourself being murdered. In the Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Susie Salmon, a fourteen year-old girl, is murdered and no one knows who committed the crime. Susie’s family struggles with the burden of their oldest daughter being murdered and are determined to find the evil soul who murdered their little girl. Throughout the book, emotional, hair raising, suspenseful events happen. Who could have done such a crime? Only Susie knows and she tries to send signs to her father, one of the only people that are determined to find the killer. However, Susie also struggles trying to let go of the past and move on, only will she do so when she her family knows the truth.
Alice Sebold uses a lot of hints in her writing to let you know what may happen in the future. Her writing is very descriptive and when an important seen comes, you will not be able to put down the book. The author makes everything real and emotional about how the life of a family that had just lost a member would feel. I recommend this to people that enjoy books that include life lessons, fiction, suspense, mystery, and action. I seemed to enjoy this book because Susie faces problems of her own and of her family and friends. She shows how everyone is dealing with the situation of her murder; friends family, law officials, etc. The obsession of her father wanting to find Susie’s killer really gets to me. It makes me think what would I do if I had a daughter that was murdered? Would I find the killer myself or just sit and wait for the police to get a lead? This is what I think throughout the whole book. When a book makes me question what my reaction or thoughts would be, I know it’s a great book.
Loser by Matthue Roth AR: 8 pts
Reviewed By Kordell Easy.
Genre ; Non-Fiction/Humor
The Book Loser was very insperational and heart warming book by Matthue Roth. It has its funny moments but the book kept you indulged and intrigued.Matthue Roth did an immaculate job by giving key and real life examples in his book of how a boy survived highschool feeling like an outkast..In this book I have learned alot and have thought differently about people.In life there are kids that feel alone or get teased and act different.We have to except everyone for how they are.In in this case in Loser its Jupiter.Jupiter is an eccentric teenager that moved from Russia that feels alone and lonely in a new highschool. This book makes sense because in highschool they are kids that do there own thing or is from a foreign country and does things differently.Barely making a month in the school he constantly teased by his accent. He is bullied and kids steal his lunch money or anything he possess.He finally meets Vadim another boy in his grade that is in his predicament. They become great friends that can relate in different things people at there school didnt like.Jupiter has his struggles through school and is avoided by girls. The plot was perfect and fit accordingly to Jupiter if you really eagerly want to know what happened to Jupiter and Vadim you have to read the novel. This book is one of my all time favorites.
Mercy by Jodi Picoult
Reviewed by Anna Bissinger
Mercy is a book by Jodi Picoult that I read over the year. Mercy is based on the idea of a mercy killing and how courts react to these things. The main characters, Cam, Jamie, Allie and Maya all go through little experiences that change there lives. Cam and Allie are married, and Cam is the chief of police in there town. So Jamie, after killing his wife, who had cancer that had metastasized and spread throughout her entire body, decided that this town would be the best place to confess. After staying with Allie and Cam for a while, Allie comes down with the very romantic notion of love, and soon realizes she and Cam aren't all they should be. Cam soon finds Allies new assistant Maya very attractive, and starts an affair with her, while Allie is away helping Jamie with his court case. There relationship falls to pieces as well him with Maya. These characters learn the meaning of truly loving someone.
I really enjoyed this book because the story line and plot was interesting and always had a twist and turn in it. The characters were also well developed and were relatable, like real people. My favorite thing about this book though is the lessons it teaches. It talks about how people interact, and what love really is. Also, how far you’d be willing to go for someone you love. This book is not for the weepy, it’s an emotional ride, but I’d recommend it to anyone willing to take in the information even through all the emotion. The real question you want to ask yourself before is “How far are you willing to go for the one person you really loved?” Think about it.
The Outsiders, Puffin Books, 180 pg., and AR points: 7
Reviewed by Carlos Ferrel
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a Realistic Fiction book about two groups, the "socs" and the "greasers." The socs were rich high schools kids that did bad things and got away with them. The greasers were poor and less educated kids. They got the name greasers because they wore grease in their hair. Ponyboy and Johnny were the main characters.
Ponyboy’s parents died in an accident and Johnny comes from an abusive family. They were both apart of the greasers gang and that’s the only family they had. One time when Johnny and Ponyboy went out to the park at night the socs came over and start to fight with them. Bobby, one of the strongest socs, starts to drown Ponyboy in the fountain. Ponyboy was about to die but Johnny comes to help him and kills the soc. They flee and take a train to a church on far away.
The greasers and the socs get into many encounters like these in the story. Ponyboy and the rest of the whole greaser gang get highly effected when something happens to Johnny. But to find out what happens you have to open up the book and get to reading.
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
Reviewed by Grishma Shah
“When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week there's either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills... and there's nothing wrong with Joe Ledger's skills.” In this novel, the first book in the Joe Ledger series, Joe is a Baltimore detective who has been assigned to an inter-jurisdictional counter terrorism taskforce, as his first case. Joe is recruited by a super secret organization, the DMS (Department of Military Science) to stop a group of terrorists from releasing a plague that, turn people in to zombies.
I read Patient Zero, because I had already read the second book in the series, The Dragon Factory which is just as good as this one. (Suggestion: Read Patient Zero first unless you prefer to know the ending of this book before you finish reading it.) I loved the zombie plot line that was attached with this book. The author had well-developed characters, and was very descriptive. The plot line was really interesting, and unlike any other books I’ve read. Other than zombies fighting, the book gave a little introspection about human beings. As well know there is always truth in fiction. Typically, I wouldn’t enjoy a book like this but Patient Zero was truly well-written and well thought out, that it grabbed my interest. I would recommend this book to anyone. Even people who do not enjoy reading would like this book. Because of some gruesome scenes, I would suggest this book to be read by anyone who is 14+.
Pendragon: The Reality Bug Aladdin Paperbacks
D.J. Machale Published 2003
Fantasy 375 pages | AR points: 15
Reviewed by Asseelah Azimson
Fifteen year old Bobby Pendragon was living a normal life, until his Uncle Press appeared with a mission: protect all of time and space from a demon named Saint Dane. Saint Dane is an evil man that wants nothing but to destroy “Halla,” everything and everyone. It’s the travelers’ jobs to save humanity.
Bobby is on his fourth mission, to save the virtual world of Veelox from evil. After “fluming” (a kind of time/space travel) into the territory of Veelox expecting to fight another battle, he only finds that everything is peaceful. He quickly discovers the peace is due to the fact that most of the citizens of Veelox have become addicted to Lifelight, a virtual reality lifestyle. But that’s how Saint Dane likes things to seem. So it’s up to Bobby to rely on the traveler Aja, from the territory Veelox, to find the problem and save the territory from falling apart.
D.J. Machale’s writing style is very descriptive and imaginative. Her books are so engaging that I am easily pulled in, nothing can distract me. I enjoy her books so much that I am already onto my fourth book into the Pendragon series. The way the author describes the characters and scenes gives you a full image. Sometimes I’m so into the book that I feel like a character. Things beyond my imagination happen like a “virtual world” on another territory and that’s one of the reasons why I like the books so much. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a wild imagination and likes fantasy genres (Ages 10 and up).
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard AR: 9
Review by: Joselyn Sanchez, Grade 10
Realistic Fiction
I always wondered how devastated families and friends would be if one of their loved ones went missing, let alone being murdered. Sadness, sorrow and suspense is what you will find in Sara Shepard’s next book called Pretty Little Liars. This book is about the lives of four young girls Spencer, Emily, Hanna, and Aria struggling with the disappearance of their beautiful leader and best friend Alison DeLaurenis during the summer. After the tragedy occurred, the clique fell apart and they all went their separate ways. The girls have to overcome fear and be strong for the sake of the others. They must find evidence and work together to find out what happened to their best friend. It won’t be easy for these pretty girls since there is someone called A trying to make their life miserable. Life gets complicated and everyone starts to become a suspect. Who can they trust?
I would recommend this book to mostly girls because they talk a lot about girl stuff and that they are thinking of in a girl perspective. I would not recommend this book to anyone that is under the age of 13 because this book is too mature and they wouldn’t understand the idea of the story either. This book also has sequels if anyone wants to continue reading it: Flawless, Perfect, Unbelievable, Wicked, Killer, Heartless, and Wanted.
The Road by Cormac Mccarthy
Review by: Brandon Badillo, Grade 9
Adventure/ survival
The Road by Cormac Mccarthy is a very interesting and well written book because it takes a situation of adventure and also makes it a survival. The story is told from the fathers and the son point of view in the book. This book is about a father and a son who thinks they are one of the last people on earth after a terrible fire covers the entire world in ashes. They have to try to find somewhere they can live so they go on this great journey and have to encounter new this along the way. I liked this book because it was interesting to read and the story was good all the way to the end.
I would recommend this book to whoever likes to read good adventure books. Also to anyone likes survival books because this is a great example of a father and son surviving in the world. However I would not recommend this book to anyone who does not like adventure or ant graphic scenes.
So B. It by Sarah Weeks
Reviewed by Zaynah Ahmed
The book I have read this year was called So B. It by Sarah Weeks. Myself, I have never known somebody that had a mother with mental disorder, however I feel like I know her pain. This story has a great journey for one little girl to find out her true self. She finds out serious emotional things that she never knew about. Being raised by her neighbor that she never knew until now, she finally learns to live and love life without worrying about every little thing.
This book So B. It is a splendid book for anyone to read. It relates to family, and has a very heartfelt story behind it. It really makes you open your eyes to real life. You look in more detail about the little more important things in life. Like a simple word may have a lot of meaning behind it, and you may not even know. The charters in this book are very well described. You can really picture what going on, read to find out how her trip went.
Street Pharm by Allison Van Deipen AR: 6
Review by: Peter F, New Jersey, Grade 9
Realistic Fiction
“What do you plan on being when your older?” One of the most important quotes in the book Street Pharm. This quote had a lot to do with the entire book. Tyrone Johnson the main character didn’t know what he wanted to be, but he was raised to keep the family business going; selling drugs. The publisher of this book is Simon Pulse Inc. this book was published in 2006. The most important character in the book are Tyrone, Sonny, Tyrones dad and mom.
Three adjectives i can use to describe the authors writing is direct, accurate, and descriptive. The author was able to put enough description in without stretching it out to much and was precise with the vocabulary. somethings I enjoyed about this book were the realness of the whole story and plot. I also like the fact that he chose Tyrone's point of view because it formed clear pictures. This book also uses vocabulary which is not super advance allowing students my age to really understand what was happening. After finishing this book i can’t think of anything that made me want to put the book down. I would recommend this book to all teenagers.
Thirteen Reason Why by Jay Asher
Reviewed by Glenroy Gabriel, Grade 9 AR: 9 points
Publisher: Razor bill
Young Adults
Thiers “Thirteen Reasons Why” you should read this book by Jay Asher. It’s suspenseful; every page is more dramatic than other. It’s hard not to put this book down because jay Asher gives you a storyline that is relatable to a hundred percent. This book is based on problems many young adults cope with in Life, and how secrets hurt you more when they are not tolled.
This book is about a boy named Clay Jenson’s journey through the life of Hannah Baker, the dead girl, who mysteriously sent him a box of tapes explaining why she died and who were the reasons why for her death. Clay adventures threw the day guided by Hannah’s voice as he scoops up every secret of her life, each one more surprising than the other and discovers he’s one of the Thirteen Reasons Why Hannah Baker died.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend this book to everyone. I think not only teens would like this but adults to. This book was interesting and suspenseful. The plotline was outstanding because you seemed like an actual detective figuring the clues out. The book was thrilling and well plot out.
Two Sun’s in the Sky AR: 9.0 Points
Review by: Jennifer Guaman HHS Grade 9th
Fiction
The book the Two Sun’s in the sky explains the life of two different people that fall in love in a time of war. It starts off with a group of refuges that have entered the United States; they were brought to the Emergency refugees Shelter at Fort Oswego, NY. Out of those refugees there was a young Jewish boy named Adam, all he wants is a sense of security in where he doesn’t have to hide anything. When news arrived that the refugees have gotten out of the train nearly everyone in town went down to the fence to watch the refugees. Among them was Christine (Chris), a young catholic girl who just wants to know more about them. It may sound cliché but from the moment they saw each other through the fence they new they were meant to be. From there on Chris begins to sneak into the camp and spend time with Adam but, their young love suffers obstacles. The possibility of them being together is denied by there loved one’s, a fence divides them both.
What I enjoyed most about this book was that the author made me aware of what was going on in the 1940’s! That was a time where President Franklin D Roosevelt allowed 928 refugees from 18 different countries, take temporary residence at For Ontario. Fort Ontario was used as an emergency refugee center for the victims of the holocausts! If I hadn’t read this book then I would have never been conscious of what went in 1944 .If you’re the type of person that likes romance books than you wont mind reading a book that informs you a piece of American history.
Wake by Lisa McMann
Review by: Becca C. New Jersey, Grade 10
Teen/Fantasy
Janie, a seventeen year old girl, gets sucked into peoples dreams. She can't control this power and doesn't know why she has it, but it makes it very hard to go through life having this. But, it can be a really big help. This uncontrolled power brought Janie and Cabel closer together and later helps solve a mystery.
I would recommend this book to teens whole like to guess what is going to happen next in the book. This book is good for people that ike to be shocked and not know what is going to happen next. I liked this books because one event leads to another which leads to another and just keeps going around.
Wanted
Sara Sherpard
Fiction AR: 11points
Alison’s twin sister Courtney, came back to Rosewood. The five friends quickly reunited, Courtney told the girls; Aria, Emily, Hanna, Spencer that she was actually Ali. They quickly found out that Ali was crazy and was trying to hurt them all along. Ali dragged all the girls into her lake house and set it on fire. The girls were able to be free but Ali was nowhere to be found.
Sara’s writing is very descriptive and always keeps you on edge. Whenever I was reading the book it was very hard to put down. Also her writing is vague, and elliptical. I would recommend this book to teenagers because sometimes they talk about more mature things that others wouldn’t understand.
The characters weren’t typical characters; they weren’t in a specific clique so it made it more realistic. Also it makes it easier to relate to. I read the whole series, and the one thing I liked about it is that when you finished one book the end of the book didn’t show up in the next one. This book only took me four days to finish. It was impossible to put down! In every book she put little notes from “a” in the back. It made it fun to finish the book to read the note. One thing I disliked about the series is that it didn’t match the T.V show so I got confused between the show and the book.