Denville Public Library Teen Blog

Maze Runner Trilogy

2011-12-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I just finished reading all three volumes: The Maze Runner, the Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure. If you like non-stop action, this series is for you.

The main character, Thomas, finds himself in a community of boys his age that are trying to solve a maze. It's an impossible task as the maze changes each night and all the boys have been deprived of their memories. In book two, Thomas regains parts of his memories but they don't help much in a trial that takes him and his friends through a desolate landscape. In book three, Thomas must learn how to accept his memories and save the human race.

Battles with monsters, evil scientists, and rogue humans abound. This is a great series for kids who enjoy video games.

Ms. Diane

NEW UPDATED VERSION COMING SOON

2011-07-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

The Orange Houses by Paul Griffin

2010-10-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

The orange houses of this book are the projects of the West Bronx. Among them hides Tamika, a hearing impaired teenager who uses her hearing aides to shut herself even farther away from everyone in her life - by turning the aides off! Mika meets Fatima, a refugee who sells newspapers and creates folded-paper masterpieces with the leftovers. Mika and Fatima try to help a homeless Iraqi war vet, Jimmi, with explosive consequences.

You will love these three outcasts. They will stay with you long after your reading is finished.

D. Sebastian

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton

2010-10-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Rating : 4 out of 5

Jimmy Cannon is a teenager during the 1940s. His dream is to work on steam locomotives as his father and brothers have done. Jimmy's father knows that steam will soon be a thing of the past and encourages his son to look farther.

Each chapter of this book takes place on Halloween, Jimmy's dad's birthday, a year apart. The reader watches Jimmy grow and mature as he experiences secrets, mischief, tragedy, adventure, and family ties. There is humor and pathos in these stories that remind me of Mark Twain and Jack London stories. Some of the events are based on true stories from the author's family.

D. Sebastian

A Swift, Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd

2010-04-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

Based on a true event, a poor teenage Irish girl of the 1980's finds herself pregnant and the center of nasty rumors and lies. Her entire town and family are torn apart before they find a way to put all the pieces back together.

This is a powerful story of love, hate, loss, and redemption. The setting and characters are unforgettable.

D. Sebastian

Wingman on Ice by Matthew Christopher

2010-04-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I liked the book because it was kind of kiddie and it was about hockey. I love hockey. It was fun.

Michael, age 12

The A-List by Zoey Dean

2010-04-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I like this book because Anna Percy's life is almost perfect. She's extremely rich, living in a gorgeous house, and she meets great guys. But, the only downer is that her dad can't keep his promises. Overall, it was a good book. I highly recommend it.

Jennifer, age 13

Hornblower During the Crisis #4 by C.S. Forester

2010-04-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

Rating: 3 out of 5

It was an okay book. The two things that I didn't like about it was that the story isn't finished and the author changes times and places.

Ryan, age 10

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

2010-04-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book deserves the five stars for all the lessons shared, the portrayal of Morrie, and the value of friend.

Cassandra, age 14

Hate List by Jennifer Browne

2010-04-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Valerie and her boyfriend, Nick, are teenagers who do not feel like they fit in at their school. Together they create a "hate list" which includes everything and everybody that has hurt them. The list is not serious to Valerie but when Nick gets mixed up in the wrong crowd, he comes to school one day and opens fire on their school cafeteria. Val is shot trying to stop him so some people think she is a hero, but when the list is found, some people blame her for the tragedy. Val recovers over the summer and is terrified about returning to school to complete her senior year, during which she deals with her guilt, her love for Nick, and her false assumptions.

Browne does an amazing job of communicating the many facets of emotions and circumstances that follow a school shooting. Adults will be fascinated by Valerie's journey as well as teens.

D. Sebastian

Alice in Wonderland (movie)

2010-04-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

Rating: 3 out of 5

The characters of Lewis Carroll's books are in this film in name only. Don't try to compare it to the books.

I did not watch this in 3D but I thought that Tim Burton's world was stunning none-the-less. There were some wonderful moments hidden among a weak story line and too many pandering 3D sequences. I enjoyed the actress who played Alice but Johnny Depp stole the movie for me.

D. Sebastian

The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson

2010-04-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

I enjoy this book because I like reading fiction, mysteries, and battles. This book is about kids who need to solve a fable in order to defeat Disney villains who come to life.

Zachary, age 10

Cinderella (as if you didn't already know the story) by Barbara Ensor

2010-04-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Rating: 3 out of 5

It was okay. It was very similar and didn't have many differences from the first Cinderella.

Abby, age 13

Wondergirls - Troublemaker by Jillian Brooks

2010-04-13T17:36:00.001-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I liked how it was about friends my age. It was also about animals, and I love animals!

Abby, age 13

Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker

2010-04-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

Rating: 3 out of 5

This book is really well written for the main character, who learns unique and good lessons. However, humorous things were a bit explicit for young readers, but overall it was very interesting.

Sarah, age 14

The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper

2010-04-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book is very romantic and funny. The reader really can relate to the troubles and issues of the main characters. It is very profound and unusual, but it's very common in a teen's life.

Sarah, age 14

Lily B. on the Brink of Cool by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

2010-04-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book is very fun and it is filled with foreshadowing. It was hard to put it down! The main character Lily is very much like normal teens, and she is very cool and funny!

Sarah, age 14

Nancy Drew: the Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene

2010-04-13T17:29:00.001-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

It was interesting, yet spooky at the same time. A nice chiller.

Christina, age 10

Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

2010-04-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I liked her descriptions of when she was hiding from the Nazi's. But, it skipped around a lot and could be confusing in parts.

Samantha, age 11

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

2010-04-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

It was very realistic and interesting. It was a great book. It is a great series as well.

Meredith, age 14

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry

2010-04-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

Great book about a boy who battles pirates and a giant crocodile to protect a treasure more valuable than gold. Definitely check it out!

Zachary, age 10

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

2010-04-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book was awesome. It was full of action. I love how it was about a fourteen year old boy who must battle an army of monsters.

Zachary, age 10

Messenger by Lois Lowry

2010-04-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

I loved this book because it was exciting. I especially loved the ending! I highly recommend it!

Cassandra, age 12

Mother to Embarrass Me by Carol Lynch Williams

2010-04-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I enjoyed this book. It was funny and Laura's mom was portrayed humorously. It made me upset though, it seemed Laura was too hard on her mother.

Cassandra, age 12

Dancer by Lorri Hewett

2010-04-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

As a dancer, I loved this book. It has to be one of the best books I have ever read, and the best book about dance I have ever read. I related to Stephanie because she was putting herself down during dance class - something I tend to do.

This book made me remember that you dance not to be the best, but to show the world you love it.

Cassandra, age 12

How to Train Your Dragon (movie)

2010-04-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The story is based on the book, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON by Cressida Cowell. Hiccup is a teenage Viking who doesn't fit in. While helping a wounded dragon that he names Toothless, he learns that there is a way to tame dragons rather than to kill them on sight - as his fellow Vikings do.

I saw this movie in 3-D and it was a blast! It was a funny, feel good movie and the 3-D effects were great.

Click here to see the movie trailer on Youtube.

D. Sebastian

The Returners by Gemma Malley

2010-04-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

Will Hodges struggles with terrifying nightmares, his mother's suicide, his father's personality changes, his inner rage, and the insane feeling that he is being stalked by strange people. Will discovers that the stalkers are Returners who absorb the pain of others, die, and return when man's inhumanity to man returns. Will is told that he is also a Returner who must accept his fate and place in the eternal struggle between good and evil.

In this bookMalley again explores man's dark side. Is it inevitable that life is destined to repeat a seemingly endless cycle of good vs. evil? Publisher's Weekly said, "It's an intensely philosophical study of free will versus predestination and the relationship between past, present, and future, though it suffers somewhat from Will's halting, present-tense narration. The concept is fascinating, and there are enough harrowing moments to hold readers' attention."

I put my life on hold in order to read this book in one sitting. It was not a pleasant experience to watch Will become unraveled, but it was so gripping and intense that I had to stay with it until the end when things are, not resolved, but continued with hope. I am a fan of Malley's books and I feel that this her best by far.

D. Sebastian

Osama (movie)

2010-03-23T16:17:00.001-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

PG13, 83 mins. Iranian with English subtitles.

After the Taliban was defeated in Afghanistan, this was the first movie produced in the country. Through the story of one girl, Osama, many stories of the hard life under the Taliban are told. Some of the stories are funny and some are horrific.

In order to keep her family from starvation, a girl is disguised as a boy, with tragic consequences. The characters are portayed by non-actors who experienced the Taliban first-hand. They can't hide the experience in their eyes and actions.

This is a 2004 Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign Language Film and an ALA 2009 Fabulous Film for Young Adults.

Click here to see the movie trailer on Youtube.

D. Sebastian

The Declaration by Gemma Malley

2010-03-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is an ideal book discussion title for high schoolers and an all around amazing title. Similar to Among the Hidden in premise, but for an older, more thoughtful group. The year is 2140 and thanks to Longevity Drugs, people are living forever. Due to overpopulation, though, adults were asked to sign a Declaration saying that they would not have children. If they wanted children and didn't sign it, then they wouldn't be allowed to take the drug.

There were severe consequences, however, for those who signed the declaration and had children anyway. They were sent to prison and their children were sent to Surplus Halls where they would be trained for a life of servitude to Legals.

Anna is one such surplus & Mrs. Pincent's star prefect. Things get thrown into turmoil, though, when a new boy, Peter, is brought in who claims to know Anna's parents. She has been raised to hate her parents for their selfishness, but Peter tells her that they love her and want her back. Eventually they escape and the climax is both devastating and hopeful.

Life in the Hall is hard for the students and that hardship is shown throughout. I found Chapter 7 particularly difficult to read. (we can leave that part out)

There is tons to think about here. A powerful book. The sequel, The Resistance, is equally well done.

R. Bryce

The Resistance by Gemma Malley

2010-03-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a sequel to The Declaration, but it can stand alone. Peter and Anna are building a new life as Legals. Their goal for a peaceful home is disrupted when Peter is convinced to work for the Resistance. He takes a job with his granfather at Pincent Pharma, the makers of the drug Longevity. Peter discovers the horrifying research that is going into Longevity+, a new drug that reverses aging as well as bestowing immortality. Through many successes and near failures, Peter realizes that Anna may be the only person he can trust.

Malley challenges the reader to question present-day society as well as the world she's built in her series. Would you choose to live forever if you had the chance? What would be the consequences of your decision for yourself and others?

I could not put this book down and I can't wait for the next installment.

D. Sebastian

Can of Worms by Kathy Mackel

2010-03-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book is really exciting. Once you start reading it you don't want to put it down.
The book is about a boy named Mike who tells great stories about another galaxy. He says his stories about these creatures are real and that he once lived on their planet. But, what he doesn't know is that they really are true. One day after school, because he was so mad at his parents, sister, and classmates, he tried to contact the other world to take him away from Earth.
Will they contact Mike back? Read this awesome book and find out!

Anna, age 11

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

2010-03-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

Lina and Doon live in Ember, a place full of darkness and insecurity. All their lives they, along with all of Ember, believed that Ember was the only place that existed. Ember is running out of supplies, light bulbs, and food. Lina finds a document that is instructions to a way out of Ember. Unfortunately, her little sister Poppy found it first and ripped parts of it up so Lina has to figure out the missing letters. She and Doon try and decode it, but first find out the Mayor is keeping the supplies for himself in a secret room in Pipeworks, the place underground where Doon works. Lina and Doon tell the city's guards. Once they finally decode the instructions and plan to tell the city of their discovery, they learn that the guards are in with the Mayor, and therefore want Lina and Doon before they tell the town of the Mayor's stash.

I like this book because learning of a fantasy place was interesting. When I was done, I couldn't help wishing for more!

Cassie, age 12

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

2010-03-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This story is very inspiring!

Olivia, age 12

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

2010-03-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

It was a typical story but, it had a nice twist which made me not want to put it down! It's based in high school and it gives good advice.

Emily, age 12

The Hardy Boys, The Firebird Rocket by Franklin W. Dixon

2010-03-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I liked this book because there are unexpected criminals and lots of action.

Seamus, age 10

The Sisters Grimm: Book Two, The Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley

2010-03-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

Very interesting book. I couldn't put it down!

Julia, age 12

The Sisters Grimm: Book One, The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

2010-03-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book is a fun and quick read. It's a good book.

Julia, age 12

The School Story by Andrew Clements

2010-03-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a really good book and it's very easy for kids to understand.

Amanda, age 13

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

2010-03-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

It's fun to read and written very well. It catches one's attention.

Julia, age 12

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes

2010-03-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

It's a fun read and it's written very well. Once you start to read it, it is hard to put down!

Julia, age 12

First Light by Rebecca Stead

2010-03-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

It is an interesting and fun book. It is definitely an attention grabber!

Julia, age 12

You're a Bad Man, Mr. Gum! by Andy Stanton

2010-03-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

It was a very funny book that held my attention. It was also written very well.

Julia, age 12

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor

2010-03-16T15:50:00.001-07:00

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Ms. Taylor gives us a collection of two stories and a novella of supernatural romance. Each romance is deeply altered by a kiss.

The first story, GOBLIN FRUIT, is about a girl who is tempted to sell her soul for a sumptuous piece of evil fruit.

In the second, SPICY LITTLE CURSES, a girl is cursed from birth. If she utters a sound, all who hear her will die. When she falls in love, her suitor pressures her to test the curse.

In HATCHLING, Esme is a fourteen-year-old who has been protected from a hellish existence by her self-sacrificing mother. When her body begins to change, beginning with her eyes, Esme is kidnapped by a man who is determined to make her face her destiny.

Taylor's unique fantasy plots and rich, elegant language kept me enthralled to the last page. My favorite of her metaphors is, "the tattered lace of night." I can't pick a favorite story, however. Each one is enchanting and haunting.

D. Sebastian

The Vampire's Assistant (movie)

2010-03-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

The Cirque du Freak series of books by Darren Shan is a fun (and often scary) story of a teen boy who is turned into a vampire's assistant in order to save his best friend's life. The movie is advertised as covering the first three books in the series, but it really goes beyond that.

While many elements of the film were not in the books (no surprise there!), the basic feel of the series was duplicated. It was better than I thought it would be.

Click here to see the movie trailer on Youtube.

D. Sebastian

Dream Job Profiles: Young & Successful Share Their Secrets by Donna Hayden Green

2010-03-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

This small volume features 10 successful business people under 27 years of age of various interests, from music industry talent manager and internet comic strip creators and video game reviewers to marine scientists, outdoor educators, social activists and music industry talent managers. Each chapter is about 15-20 pages long and explains about the career and how the person got involved in it, their successes and struggles; advice from the person being profiled; and where to go for books and websites to learn more about the profiled job. I was very impressed to find that of the 10 recommended books I randomly searched for, 9 were available in the MAIN system and all 10 randomly checked websites were active and seemed appropriate for high schoolers and beyond. Those looking for a different job, or wanting to start their own business, would enjoy this book.

R. Bryce

24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley

2010-03-11T16:19:00.000-08:00

Jack is a senior in high school and has had very little luck with girls. The prom is just about a week away and the girl he stumbles through asking says yes and then changes her mind by the end of their all too brief conversation. As a joke, his friends Natalie & Percy post a personal ad in the school's online paper posing as Jack in an effort to get him a date. He is furious but eventually agrees to go ahead with their plan when they tell him that they have already received over 100 responses. Natalie & Percy will go through the e-mails and select 24 girls for him to go out with in the 7 days before the prom 24/7- get it?

Soon Jack is Mr. Popularity. As he makes his way through the week he also receives e-mails from Fancy Pants, offering advice and warnings about some of the girls he'll be seeing. By the week's end Jack has grown much more self confident and more comfortable around the ladies. The truth behind the ad, Jack's choice of a date, and the revelation of Fancy Pants are all surprises. Jack is a nice guy and readers will be pulling for him all the way.

R. Bryce

Would You by Marthe Jocelyn

2010-03-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

This is a powerful little book. It starts out innocently enough, with big sister Claire looking forward to her last few weeks before going off to college and 11th grader Natalie, lifeguarding and hanging out with friends. All that changes in an instant, though, when Claire is struck by a car. The book mainly takes place over the following days and is told in the first person from Natalie's point of view. Her parents are in shock and angry and her friends don't always know what to say, but it's obvious how deeply they care.

The most touching parts of the story are when Natalie talks to her comatose sister and through that, we learn about Claire. By book's end you care about Natalie's family and grieve with them after Claire's death.

R. Bryce

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick

2010-03-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

It was a good book and it had lots of details. I don't like the topic.

Erica, grade 6

The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones

2010-03-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

The title and "aura" of this book tell you to expect a horror story, but when you actually read it, it's not even close. It is also confusing with the italicized parts.

Megan, grade 7

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

2010-03-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

Rating: 5 out of 5

It wasn't like anything else I ever read; it was amazing.

Anonymous, grade 6

The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow

2010-03-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

Funny, good ending, but missing something.

Anonymous, grade 6

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2010-03-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

It was thrilling all throughout. I couldn't put it down, and when I did, I couldn't stop thinking of certain scenes. But it had random flashbacks, and other parts were confusing.

Megan, grade 7

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

2010-03-08T06:27:00.001-08:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

I am fan of Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy - a romantic and exciting fantasy epic about a Victorian girl who finds empowerment in an alternate reality - so I was expecting something similar in this volume. Bray's style is so different in this volume that I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it, but I thoroughly did!

GOING BOVINE is about a 17 year-old boy, Cameron, who doesn't care about anything in his life. He is so bored and apathetic that he wishes he had died when he fell into the water and almost drowned at the Small World ride at Disney World when he was little. When he is diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease, he wants to live. While sedated, he goes through a Don Quixote-like, out-of-body quest for a cure and the meaning of life. He is joined by a punk angel name Dulcie, a side-kick named Gonzo, and an enchanting lawn gnome named Balder. Cameron's wild ride takes him on encounters with a mythic musician, wacky physicists, a "happiness is everything" cult, evil aliens, a disappearing rock band, and more.

This book is a hilarious ride for the reader, but it is also enlightening and touching.

D. Sebastian

Rock 'n' Roll Soldier by Dean Kohler

2010-03-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

Rating: 4 out of 5

Dean Kohler's band has been offered a record deal. His life is really on track, until he is drafted into the Vietnam War at the age of 17. As an MP, he's not in the front lines, but he sees plenty of horror anyway. His salvation is an order to put together a touring band to help the morale of his fellow troops. As he says, "During a time when none of us knew for sure if we would live or die, I came to know the true power of music."

This is a fascinating true story of a determined young man who makes his dream come true in spite of horrific circumstances. Kohler doesn't sugar coat any of his highs or lows. Instead you see a true, raw picture of a boy turning into a man.

After reading this book, I was inspired to find a charity that provides instuments to soldiers. I found Operation Happy Note on the Internet. It's a great program!

D. Sebastian

What If Everyone Was Doing It by Liz Ruckdeschel

2010-03-04T15:59:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Tris, 13

Review:
I loved how you could choose how the book went, the only problem was that some things confused me about some people and events because it has been mentioned in something I didn't read. The ending was a good cliffhanger.

Warriors: the Sight by Erin Hunter

2010-03-04T15:58:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Seamus, 11

Review:
I liked it because the cats can foresee things and there's fighting.

Twitches the Power of Two by H.B. Gilmour

2010-03-04T15:57:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Shayna, 11

Review:
I felt that this book deserved a 4 because after you got past the first 50 pages or so it was amazing! It was cool how they solved a mystery with their powers!

Twilight Zone: Monsters are Due on Main Street by Rod Serling

2010-03-04T15:56:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 3
Name & Age: Zach, 12

Review:
It had action and mystery, which I enjoy. Yet, it had too many slow parts.

TTYL by Lauren Myracle

2010-03-04T15:56:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 3
Name & Age: Michelle, 12

Review:
The book was confusing and hard to follow. The length of the book was 209 pages, so it took me awhile to read. I may read the other books in the series.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

2010-03-04T15:55:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Alex, 12

Review:
This book is humorous with serious parts in it. It is well-rounded with surprises around every corner.

The Thief and the Beanstalk by P. W. Catonese

2010-03-02T17:43:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Shayna, 11

Review:
The book is kind of slow at the beginning. Of course it was awesome after the first 50-60 pages. It was great how they included Jake in this book.

The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy

2010-03-02T17:42:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 3
Name & Age: Seamus, 11

Review:
I like it because it had a lot of ranch-style stuff in it. It also had many animals.

The Red Keep by Allen French

2010-03-02T17:41:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Seamus, 11

Review:
There are no boring parts. It is always full of action and excitement. I never read a book more exciting!

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

2010-03-02T17:41:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Ashley, 11

Review:
I love mysteries. It had me on my toes the whole book.

The Million Dollar Strike by Dan Gutman

2010-03-02T17:40:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Alex, 12

Review:
This is masterfully written with a dash of excitement and a pinch of humor.

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

2010-03-02T17:39:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Kyle, 11

Review:
I feel that this book is a 5 mainly because it was very funny. Especially the time when Tyson was going out to battle but when he yelled a war cry it was supposed to be for Poseidon but it sounded like peanut butter. Then all of his cyclopes brothers grabbed the clubs and shouted, “peanut butter!”

The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements

2010-03-02T17:39:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Ryan, 13

Review:
I like the theater and this is much about preparing a holiday concert.

The Kind of Friends We Used to Be by Frances O'Roark Dowell

2010-03-02T17:38:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Julia, 12

Review:
I could place myself in both of the main character's lives. The plot was fresh and believable.

The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

2010-03-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Marissa, 11

Review:
This book is very suspenseful and has great cliffhangers. The characters are adventurous and daring. Lemony Snicket is a great author and uses a lot of detail to tell exactly what happened to the Baudelaires.

The Clique: Revenge of the Wannabes by Lisi Harrison

2010-03-02T17:35:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Tris, 13

Review:
The book is descriptive about events that are modern. The way the girls interact between each other is creative and how they solve their problems is really thought out.

Tell Me Who by Jessica Wollman

2010-03-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Rating of book from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Caroline, 11

Review:
I really liked this book because it was about two girls that are in the sixth grade. It is also about how friendships change, which I can relate to, because I am going into sixth grade as well.

Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer

2010-03-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Tris, 14

Review:
From the way it was written, caring about Annie's struggles to helping her grandma out, to the interesting tea tips/facts, and beauty tidbits, it was so interesting! It was so much fun to read, mostly due to the extras!

Swiss Mist by Randy Powell

2010-03-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Julia, 12

Review:
The book had an interesting plot line. I liked how it covered five years in the main character's life.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

2010-03-02T17:26:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Serena, 11

Review:
I really enjoyed the book. I thought it was really cute.

Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz

2010-03-02T17:26:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Hunter, 11

Review:
I felt it was a 5 because I read other books in this series and so far this is the best one. Also, the author describes everything with great detail.

Sands of Time by Michael Hoeye

2010-03-02T17:25:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Tiffany, 11

Review:
The story is moving and you feel like your one of the characters in the story.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

2010-03-02T17:24:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Marissa, 12

Review:
Cynthia Lord does a very good job of describing life for 12-year-old Catherine as she deals with her younger brothers autism. It seems like you could be Catherine, because Cynthia Lord does such a good job describing Catherine's everyday life.

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

2010-03-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Julia, 12

Review:
I love historical fiction. This was a very good historical fiction book. I liked the characters and the story plot.

May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson

2010-03-02T17:22:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Kelly, 11

Review:
It was full of adventure and when reading it you know what might happen next.

May Bird Among the Stars by Jodi Lynn Anderson

2010-03-02T17:22:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Kelly, 11

Review:
It was a great book that was full of action and drama.

Maximum Ride: book two by James Patterson

2010-03-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 3
Name & Age: Kelly, 11

Review:
It was okay at first, but then it was too easy to predict what will happen next.

Mallory vs. Max by Laurie Friedman

2010-03-02T17:20:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Michelle, 12

Review:
The book is an easy read. It was a really good book. I would read her other books too.

Magyk by Angie Sage

2010-03-02T17:20:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Zach, 12

Review:
There was a lot of quick movement, and fighting one battle after another. They fight enemies from an evil wizard to hungry brownies. If I could describe it in three words they would be action-packed, humorous, and magical.

Magician by Michael Scott

2010-03-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Zach, 12

Review:
Magical characters fighting magical creatures. It just kept getting better and better. In the end, they fought the Greek God Ares. It was one of my favorite books ever.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

2010-03-02T17:18:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Marissa, 12

Review:
The characters seem to actually come out of the book. Cornelia Funke makes you feel like you could be Maggie, one of the main characters, as she battles against Capricorn. The plot is so intriguing, and I can't wait to read Inkspell and Inkdeath now!

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

2010-03-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Kyle, 11

Review:
The book itself is good, but some parts like the end were confusing.

How I Changed My Life by Todd Strasser

2010-03-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Devyn, 11

Review:
I chose a rating of 4 because this book has two or three bad words, not “shut up,” but like sex. But only mentions it two or three times in the whole book.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

2010-03-02T17:15:00.002-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Emily, 11

Review:
I like this book because of the concept of boys and girls my age becoming wizards. I also like the surprise ending where Professor Quirrel is hiding Voldemort rather than Professor Snape.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

2010-03-02T17:15:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Marissa, 11

Review:
The book is suspenseful and Harry does many daring things. I especially liked when Harry was at the graveyard with Lord Voldemort, but Harry survives and transports himself back.

Grimm's Fairy Tales by Ron Nemerson

2010-03-02T17:14:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 3
Name & Age: Serena, 11

Review:
All of the stories have the same plot. It was kind of boring.

Flyte by Angie Sage

2010-03-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Lauren, 11

Review:
This book is great for anyone who loves magic and adventure. I loved it so much that I would read it again and again.

Flash Cards of My Life by Charise Merigle Harper

2010-03-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name: Caroline

Review:
Cause it was realistic fiction and that it is about a girl.

Fame School: Reach for the Stars by Cindy Jefferies

2010-03-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Michelle, 12

Review:
This book made me feel like I was the main character (Chloe Tompkins) in many different ways. If anyone likes to sing, I would highly recommend you to read this book.

The Faerie Door by B. E. Maxwell

2010-03-02T17:08:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Julia, 12

Review:
The book is interesting in many ways. The characters are realistic and likable. The plot is fresh as well as the setting. I couldn't stop reading it.

Evil Star by Anthony Horowitz

2010-03-02T17:04:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Angela, 11

Review:
I think that this book deserved a rating of 10 because during the whole book you always knew what the character felt.

Eleven by Lauren Myracle

2010-03-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Caroline, 11

Review:
I think it only rates a 4 because the author didn't focus on the good parts of being eleven.

Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy

2010-03-02T16:38:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 4
Name & Age: Caroline Sceurman, 11

Review:
When I read the summary on the back, I didn't expect the book to be about that. It wasn't my style. It was more of an adventurous book.

Alchemyst by Michael Scott

2010-03-02T16:31:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Zachary, 12

Review:
It was an action-packed story, full of strange creatures, magic, and more. The story even found room for humor!

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

2010-03-02T16:30:00.001-08:00

Rating from 1-5: 5
Name & Age: Hunter, 11

Review:
I felt this book was a 5 because it's an adventure book and I like these kinds of books and I also read other books in the series and its my favorite series.