The Picture Of Dorian Gray

By Oscar Wilde
Copyright 1968
Rating: Excellent
Number of Pages: 224

In The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, written in 1968, Dorian Gray, a middle-aged, extremely handsome man, regretted that he would grow old some day. So in front of a portrait done of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, Dorian wished that he would never grow old but the portrait would grow old.

Dorian Gray’s wish came true and he never grew old. Throughout this process, Dorian Gray became a very nasty person. For example, out of the blue Dorian killed Basil Hallward. After a while Dorian Gray put away his portrait because he hated to so the portrait grow old. Awhile after he put the portrait away, he went back and looked at it. He noticed that there was blood on the hands of the man in the portrait. He knew that this was the only evidence that could send him to jail for murdering Basil Hallward.

Read this book to find out what happens to Dorian Gray.

The Outsiders

Author: S. E. Hinton
©1967
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Number of Pages: 264
Rating: 8/10

Reviewer: Megabob

The Outsiders is a classic about a 14-year-old gang member named Ponyboy Curtis. The gang he's in is called the Greasers and they are rivals with the Socs (another gang). The Greasers are on the poorer side and the Socs are on the complete opposite one. The story really starts getting going when two girls are met at a movie theater by Ponyboy and some of his friends. They see that the girls are all alone and decide to walk them home. That's when the trouble begins. On the way home, the girl's boyfriends (who are Socs) happen to pass by. Without much of a choice, the girls are returned. A few nights later, the boyfriends come for revenge and things go a little too far. Ponyboy and his friend, Johnny, are forced to flee their home in fear of being arrested by the police. Later on, though, they finally figure out that they can't possibly live their entire life on the run so they return and turn themselves in. The rest is up to you to find out by simply reading The Outsiders.

I think that The Outsiders was a very good book. One reason is the plot. It is an exciting, fast-paced, nail-biting adventure that you can't stop once you're going. Another is that everyone, in their own way, will be able to find some way this story relates to their life. Anyone who enjoys realistic fiction or any avid reader who is looking for a fast-paced adventure story that they want to relate to is obligated to read this classic.

Hatchet

Author: Gary Paulson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 1987
Pages: 195
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Rating: 5/10
Blogger: Cookie Monster

Brian is 13 years old and he flies from the Hamptons in New York to somewhere in Canada to visit his father. While he is in the plane the captain has a heart attack. The plane crashes into a lake in Canada and Brian forces his way out. He is hurt, but nothing is broken. While he is trying to recover he falls asleep and has flashbacks of his mother and the secret of his parent’s divorce.

Brian has many adventures on his L shaped island. He stayed there for 54 days. During this time, he taught himself how to make a fire, how to catch fish, how to kill birds, how to protect himself, and how to cook on a fire. He does everything with his hatchet, which was a present from his motherTowards the end of his stay on the island, there is a tornado. Everything was destroyed, but the plane in the lake becomes visible. He spends days getting into the plane and getting to a survival bag. He again uses his hatchet. He pulls out the survival bag and finds dried food, soap, a rifle, and an emergency transmitter. He turns it on and off and then leaves it on and walks away.

Even though I didn't really like this book, I kept on reading just to find out what would happen next. The ending was weird and disappointing. The whole book was a bit disappointing. This is a good book for readers who like a living adventure.

The Higher Power of Lucky

Author: Susan Patron
Copyright: 2006
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: 9 to 11
Reviewer: Az Scorpio

Lucky, a 10 year old girl, can't wait another day. The meanness gland in her heart and the crevices full of questions in her brain make running away from Hard Pan, California (population 43), the rock-bottom only choice she has. It's all Brigitte's fault -- for wanting to go back to France. Guardians are supposed to stay put and look after girls in their care! However Lucky is sure that she'll be cast away to some orphanage in Los Angeles where her beloved dog, HMS Beagle, won't be allowed. Then she'll have to lose her friends Miles, a boy, who lives on cookies, and Lincoln, her classmate, future U.S. president (maybe) and member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers.

This story shows the growth of a young girl. Throughout the book Lucky tries to find herself by finding her “higher power”. At the end she does, by becoming more mature. I can see why this book has won a Newberry Award. Lucky is a character that anyone can relate to. She has just begun to understand the world around her, and has started her journey into teenager-hood by struggling and fighting with her low self-esteem.

Looking For Alaska

Author: John Green
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 160
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: California Roll

In Looking for Alaska by John Green, winner of the Printz Award and written in 2005, Miles Halter, an awkward 16-year-old boy, gets sucked into an unforgettable journey that begins after he transfers to Culver Creek Boarding School. Miles is obsessed with knowing peoples’ last words. He fixates on memorizing them and is constantly searching for new ones. One, in particular, that jumps out at Miles is, “I go to seek my great perhaps.” At the start of the book, Miles decides that he is going to move to Culver Creek in hopes of starting over and finding his own “Great perhaps.” Little does he know he is about to embark on the most memorable and intense adventure of his life, and he is taking the reader along for the ride. It all starts when Miles is introduced to the Colonel, his roommate whose real name is Chip, and Alaska, who give him the nickname Pudge. Ultimately, they teach him how to get by, avoid trouble, smoke, drink, and have fun while attending Culver Creek. After a wild game of truth or dare involving lots of drinking, an incident occurs that becomes the point that the book revolves around. The book, which is being told in the first person by Miles, is broken into two sections composed of the events leading up to the incident and the events that follow the incident. As the reader progresses through the book, the plot escalates to the point where they are begging for more.

While reading Looking for Alaska, I found myself becoming part of the plot and being engulfed in its story. This book is easily one of the greatest books I have ever read. I recommend it to everyone, especially those who enjoy intense, exciting, and funny books. This book is a must-read that will leave the reader knowing exactly why this book deserved to win the Printz Award.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

Author: Robert C. O'Brien
copyright: 1971
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Fantasy
Number of pages: 268
Reviewed by: Missy

In Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, we follow a widowed mouse named Mrs. Frisby and her attemps to move her home and family safely to a new summer home. What makes moving her family important is that the farmer is getting ready to do spring plowing and this will destroy her home and her family if not moved in time. Mrs. Frisby has four children and the youngest ones name is Timothy. Timothy was bitten by a spider when he was very young. Ever since that time he would catch any illness going around. Two weeks before they are to move Timothy comes down with pneumonia and cannot be moved.

In the story, Mrs. Frisby meets many new friends and some enemies. She is helped by the Rats of Nimh. These rats are part of a secret group of rats that escaped a place called Nimh. Nimh was where humans would do experiments on animals. These rats are incredibly intelligent and capable of many things.

The Outsiders

Author: S.E. Hinton
Copyright: 1967
Genre: Realistic fiction
# of pages: 264
Rating: 9/10
Reviewer: Cassie
SPOILER ALERT

The Outsiders was about Ponyboy, a 14-year- old gang member who runs away from home with his fellow gang member, Johnny, after a warring gang takes things too far one night. Their panicked trip takes them to an abandoned church where they stay for a while. After a few weeks, another gang member named Dally shows up to check on them, and after some discussion, Ponyboy and Johnny decide to turn themselves in as runaways. On their way back home, they see that the church has caught on fire and that there are children inside. Johnny, Dally, and Ponyboy go in and save all the kids, but a falling beam hits Johnny on the way out. He is injured and goes to the hospital, where policemen tell them that because they saved the children, they are free of all charges. Unfortunately, their happiness for their amnesty is short lived, but you're going to have to read the book to find out why.

A Wrinkle In Time

Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Copyright: 1962
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 7/10
# Pages: 211
Reviewer: Blogging Buddha

A Wrinkle in Time is the story of Meg Murry, a high-school-aged girl who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother Charles Wallace and her best friend Calvin O'Keefe to rescue her father, a scientist, from the evil forces that have captured him on another planet. At the beginning of the book, Meg is an insecure girl and her concern for her father, who has been missing for over a year, did not make Meg’s adolescent life any better. The real story begins with the arrival of Mrs. Whatsit at the Murry house on a dark and stormy evening. Mrs. Whatsit is actually a celestial creature with the ability to read Meg's thoughts, though she looks like an average human being. She startles Meg's mother by reassuring her of the existence of a tesseract, a sort of "wrinkle" in space and time. Through this wrinkle Meg and her companions set off to find her father. After encountering multiple odd creatures and puzzles, Meg is reunited with her father.

I really enjoyed this classic book! At first, the storyline was a little too scattered and random for me but I kept reading further and further and realized that that style of writing coordinated with the way the protagonist felt throughout the story. Overall, A Wrinkle in Time was highly entertaining and a creative story

The Outsiders

Author: S.E Hinton
Copyright: 1967
Genre: realistic Fiction
Rating: 10/10
Pages: 264
Reviewer: Hobo Jenkins

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is an amazing book written in 1967. It is about a 14 year old greaser named Ponyboy. He lives with two older brothers, Sodapop and Darry. The Greasers and the Socs have a strong hatred towards each other. The Greasers are poor and the Socs are rich. They fight all the time, but one day they take it too far. Johnny (a greaser) and Ponyboy are put in a difficult and scary situation with no easy way out.

The Outsiders was a fantastic classic. I couldn’t take my head out of this book. It is an excellent story that everyone can relate to in some way. It had action, drama, humor, and even some romance. It is enjoyable for everyone. When I first heard of this book I thought it would be a book more for boys, but I absolutely loved it and I’m a girl. The writing draws you in and the plot is amazing. I think that people will continue to read this classic for an extremely long time. In conclusion The Outsiders was an excellent book that everyone should read at one point in their life.

A Wrinkle In Time

Author: Madeline L'Engle
Copyright: 1962
Genre: fantasy
Rating: 6/10
Pages: 198
Reviewed by: Elmo

In A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle, Meg Murry, a confused high school girl, gets involved in a journey through space to help find her missing dad. Her journey began when she was introduced to her strange new neighbors Mrs.Whatsit, Mrs.Which, and Mrs.Who by her little brother Charles Wallace. On the way back home from meeting them, Charles Wallace and Meg ran into a boy named Calvin who became fast friends with them. After they finished dinner Meg and he went outside. The next thing they knew they were in a totally different place and Charles Wallace and Meg’s new neighbors were there too. The Mrs.W’s explained to them that they were magical witches and they were there to help save their missing dad. This was officially when their journey began. Throughout the book Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace go through space by themselves searching for and trying to help their missing dad. They end up at a place called Camazotz where everything is controlled by IT. On this planet they find their dad. They go through many obstacles and problems, but finally end up safe at their house again, this time with their dad. All together, A Wrinkle In Time is a book about a tremendous journey that you will never forget.

In my opinion, A Wrinkle in Time was an interesting book that will continue to be a tremendous classic and read by ongoing children. At times the book was a bit confusing because there was a lot of detail, but at the end everything comes into place. I wouldn’t necessarily read it again right now, but maybe when I get older. It really wasn’t the most enjoyable book I've read, but still it was worth reading.

Looking for Alaska

Author: John Green
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 160
Rating: 10 out of 5 stars!
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: Hey There Delilah
CONTENT WARNING: Some content in the book may be inappropriate for younger readers

You probably don't know Millard Filmore's last words. Miles does. In fact, memorizing last words is not only a hobby for him, but a way of life. (In case you're wondering about those last words they were: "the nourishment is palatable".) Miles is pretty much invisible at his public high school. He lives a boring, friendless life and decides to follow his father's footsteps and go to Culver Creek boarding school in Alabama. Miles claims that the reason for this is that he goes "to seek a Great Perhaps", which were another set of last words, not surprisingly. There, he meets his roommate Chip, better known as the Colonel. The Colonel immediately accepts Miles into his social circle and introduces him to Takumi. Together, the three share a hatred for the rich kids and and Miles even gets a knew nickname, Pudge (for irony). The Colonel and Takumi happened to be friends with Alaska. Drop-dead-gorgeous, smart, sassy, independent, fascinating, reckless, spontaneous Alaska. It didn't matter that she was everything Pudge wasn't, because he had completely fallen head-over-heels for her. Blindly, Alaska makes it her mission to get Pudge a girlfriend. He ends up finding a girlfriend, but he isn't over Alaska. Nevertheless, the five of them have great times together smoking, drinking and most importantly, pranking. But what happens when Alaska's drive to get out of the labyrinth goes too far and ruins everything?

I have tried writing this paragraph many times. But every single time I try to think of words worthy enough to describe how amazing I thought this book was, my mind goes blank. Mere words can't describe the tangled mix of stirred feelings inside of me when I was forced to finish the book. Other reviewers (who have found the perfect words) have called Looking for Alaska "a masterpiece, powerful, brilliant and unforgettable." And I have to say, I won't ever forget this book. Looking for Alaska was unlike any book I have read, and it stands apart from many other books in the YA Fiction category. Looking for Alaska deserved The Printz Award one hundred percent and is a book that every single young adult should read. So, I am not just recommending that you read Looking for Alaska (if you haven't already), I am urging you to stop whatever you are doing this second and go read this book right now! Yes, it is that good!

The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry
Copyright: 1993
Rating: Incredible
Pages: 180
Reviewed by: Twinkie

What if everything was the same, day after day? No colors or variety, the same. The Giver, written by Lois Laury, copyright 1995, describes the struggles of a sane person living in an insane world. Jonas is a young twelve year old boy who is the protagonist in the story. In his society emotions are frowned upon and people loose the ability to be unique. At the ceremony of the twelves Jonas is assigned a job unlike any other and from that day on his life will never be the same.

Before I read The Giver I never really thought about a society of sameness . I would think of the differences and the problems that they cause, but I now know that without variation we loose our ability to be people. This is a short book that becomes glued to your hands! It was impossible to stop reading. This is unlike any other book ever written and I highly recommend it.

Where The Red Fern Grows

Author: Wilson Rawls
Copyright: 1961
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure
Rating: Very Good
Number of Pages: 249
Reviewed By:Smackers
SPOILER ALERT - SPOILER ALERT - SPOILER ALERT

Billy, a ten-year-old boy who lives in Ozark Mountains on Cherokee Land in northeastern Oklahoma during the Great depression, dreams of having two coon- hounds. He saves his own money to buy them and trains them to be two of the best raccoon hunters in the country. The dogs – old Dan and little Ann - become champions of a national coon-hunting tournament. While doing so they also end up finding Billy’s grandfather injured and lost in the snow. One night while hunting raccoons near their home, the two dogs end up treeing a mountain lion. Old Dan bravely fights the mountain lion to save Billy, but sadly ends up dying from his wounds the next day. Little Anne becomes too depressed to live without Old Dan, and dies soon after. Before moving to town, Billy notices a large Red Fern growing on top of the dog’s graves, which according to Indian Legend means an angel has been there.

The Invisible Man (Unabridged)

By: H. G. Wells
Copyright: 1897
Pages: 192 Pgs.
My Rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Science Fiction
Reviewer: Spanky McFinnegan
SPOILER ALERT

The book The Invisible Man, by H. G. Wells, begins in a small town called Iping. A completely covered stranger arrives at the local inn, his face bandaged. As soon as he is settled in he starts to conduct strange experiments in his room. After being watched for many days, Griffin (the invisible man's real name) reveals his identity and flees the town. He then meets a man named Thomas Marvel. Thomas reluctantly agrees to help Griffin. Seeing that Griffin is a madman, he tries to give him “the slip”. The invisible man chases Thomas and is wounded by a policeman that Thomas has run to. Griffin retreats to his college friend, Dr. Kemp's, house. Kemp hears his story and also thinks he’s insane. Griffin is fed up and threatens to kill Dr. Kemp. Kemp runs to hide in the village, and is obviously followed by Griffin. At the village, however, a mob jumps Griffin and kills him.

Overall, this book was pretty bad. Despite the enticing title and cover, it had a very boring plot and only a tiny bit of short-lived action. There are about 170 pgs in this book but they are only get unexciting, wasted pages. Innocent trees have been cut down to give the readers of this book dissatisfaction. Most of the book is mindless talk. Two good responses to this book are “yawn” and “who cares?” I have not read any other of H. G. Wells books but if they are like this one, than I know one thing, reading his books are probably a waste of my time.

The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry
Copyright: 1993
Rating: Amazing
Number of Pages: 180
Reviewer: The Chosen One

The Giver, written by Lois Lowry, is a story about a young boy named Jonas who lives in a community where everything is in order The children are classified by their age, and when they reach the age of 12, a special ceremony is performed and they receive a job that they will do for the rest of their lives - until they are too old and put into the house of the Old. Jonas, who will be a 12 in December, is anxiously waiting to see what's waiting for him in the future. December arrives and he is ready to receive he special career. When the community director presents all the twelves with their jobs they go by who was born first. Jonas was born 19th. In his group there are twenty kids who will become twelves. Once the Director reaches his number, she skips him and goes on to the last person. Everyone in the crowd is shocked. After the director finishes , she the audience that Jonas has received a special job that no one has received in about sixteen years. The job is…

The Giver is an amazing story, once you get into the good parts you can’t put it down until you finish it. If you enjoy this book there are two other books that continue the story. The first is Gathering Blue and the second is The Messenger.

Call It Courage

By Armstrong Sperry
Copyright: 1940
Pages: 92
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: Lyra

I chose this book because it looked exciting and full of adventure. Also, the description on the back defiinitely made me want to read it. Short but descriptive, this book can quench a readers thirst for a great tale of excitement.

Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry is about an adolescent boy named Mafatu who is trying to prove his courage to his tribe. Mafatu lives on the Island of Hikueru with his pet dog and bird. When he was a toddler he was in a tragic accident and from then on was afraid of the sea. However, all the other folk on Hikueru depend on the sea for food and worship it. Since Mafatu is terrified of the water he is an outcast and called a coward. Mafatu decides to take on his fears and prove everyone wrong. Can he truly forget his melancholic past and become the hero he wishes he could be?

American Born Chinese

Author: Gene Luen Yang
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 235
Genre: Grapic Novel
Reviewer: The Dark Knight

Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese is a humorous, fun to read graphic novel about three totally different stories and how they relate. The first is the legendary Chinese tale of the Monkey King. Legend says that the Monkey King was sick of his puny primate form so he decied to be the most powerful monkey on the planet. He did so by mastering The Four Major Disiplines Of Invulnerability; invulnerability to fire, invulnerability to ice, invulnerability to drowning, and invulnerability to wounds. But since he wished to be the best, this was not good enough for him so he mastered The Four Major Discplines Or Bodily Form; giant form, minature form, hair-into-clones, and shapeshift. The second tale in the novel is of Jin Wang, a teenager who has adjusted to life in America and is struggling to get up the courage to ask out Amelia, the girl he is in love with. The third is the story of Danny, an American teen who is visited once a year by his foreign cousin Chin-Kee, who ruins his life. He has switched high schools three times because Chin-Kee has ruined his reputation and made him known not as Danny, but as Chin-Kee's cousin. All three of these enjoyable stories relate in a totally unpredictable way.

Although the end of American Born Chinese was extremely peculiar, all in all I really enjoyed it. I thought that it was a humorous read that included a good, meaningful story. The illustrations were exquisite as well. i thought that Luen Yang's novel was interesting from page one, in fact I read this book in less than an hour. The only flaw was how odd the ending was. It was almost awful, what I consider to be silly. Ok, so I've said enough - but if you are looking to read a short, enjoyable book, then check out Luen Yang's award winning book.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Author: Betty Smith
Copyright: 1943
Rating:excellent
Number of pages:475
Reviewed by: Francine

In A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, written in 1943, Francie Nolan, an 11- year- old girl in 1912, lives in a poor family in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Francie hasn’t had the easiest life. Her father, Johnny Nolan, is an alcoholic, but he is loving and caring towards her and her brother, Neeley. On a typical Saturday, Neeley and Francie collect junk to trade for extra pennies. Katie Nolan, Francie’s mom, has always loved Neeley more than Francie and has hated herself for it. Although she tries to hide it, both she and Francie know who she loves more. In conclusion, Francie has been living a difficult life in Brooklyn.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was an excellent classic book. It had all the great qualities of a memorable book; it was moving, joyful and interesting. In my opinion, the fictitious story of Francie kept my interest and made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The book included family adventures - some were positive and some were negative. As a result, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is recommended to anyone above the age of 11.

Julie of the Wolves

Author: Jean Craighead George
Copyright: 1972
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: Very Good 8/10
# of Pages: 176
Review By: Waimea

In Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George, written in 1972, Julie, an Eskimo teenager, decides to leave her family to visit her pen pal in San Francisco - a long way away. Julie escapes her marriage to go visit Amy, her pen pal, and on the way there she lives with a pack of wolves that she calls family. Using her natural Eskimo instincts, taught to her by her father, she struggles to survive in the arctic of Alaska. This riveting story explores the life of Julie and her transformation to a different life.

Overall I think Julie of the Wolves was a great story for kids and teenagers alike. It explores how Julie changes her family life, as well as keeping some of her Eskimo traditions. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good journey of trying to find one's self. Julie transforms herself, but she might not have changed as much as she thought.

Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick
Copyright: 2004
Pages: 273
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie is about Steven Alper, a 13 year old boy, whose life gets turned around when one day he finds out that Jeffery, his younger brother, is diagnosed with a serious illness. Steven lives in Pennsylvania. He is an average boy who goes to middle school and has to deal with his social life, his school life, and most importantly, girls and drumming, his favorite hobby.

In my opinion this book is great and tells the story of an average 13 year old boy in middle school as his life gets turned around by something he wishes never had happened. It’s a book that once you get into it you can’t put down until you have finished.

Spanking Shakespeare

Author: Jake Wizner
Copyright: 2007
Pages: 287
Rating: 9.5/10
Genre: Humorous Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: California Roll

In Spanking Shakespeare, by Jake Wizner, the reader follows the senior high school year of a boy unfortunate enough to be named Shakespeare Shapiro. This story is not just another teen high school story and it is not just because the boy has an unusual name. Jake Wizner takes the reader on a hysterical journey that can relate to the random, crude, rebellious, and perverted mind of the average teenager. This book is perfect for a reader that loves to laugh, whether boy or girl, but may be inappropriate for children younger than 14.

In the book, Shakespeare begins his senior year in high school. He has never been considered popular. He has never had a girlfriend and he only really has two friends, Neil and Katie. Neil is a perverted boy that has a freakish obsession with bowel movements and Katie is a tom-boyish tough girl. Also, Shakespeare’s younger brother is way cooler than him and he fits in more easily. Throughout the book, the reader will see the humorous mishaps that Shakespeare goes through, including a long-time girl crush and prom. I highly recommend this book for anyone around the age of 14. This book is a riot and will keep the reader laughing and interested the entire time.

Nation

By: Terry Pratchett
Pages: 384 pgs.
copyright: 2008
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewer: Spanky McFinnegan

Nation is a relatively new book. The story paints a picture of the man-to-be Mau. He starts off on the journey of becoming a man on a small island called Boys Island. There a boy must survive, and if he does so, his boy soul is exchanged for a man’s soul. After discovering the secret of Boys Island and surviving there, he returns to find that his whole nation has been wiped out completely by an enormous wave. He simply can’t believe it! His whole family and all of his close friends have been wiped off the face of the earth! Throughout this book he tries to fight with the gods and build up the nation with other survivors form local islands.

Terry Pratchett is a very renowned and critically acclaimed author of famous books such as Xanth, and Disc World. His writing in this book is extremely explanatory with impeccable details. Despite the outstanding descriptions, the plot is quite mundane; there are only pieces and bits of the story dedicated to action. Overall, Nation didn’t exactly live up to my expectations, however the book was extremely well written. You could say it was exciting in ways I never would have guessed. This book is great for teens and pre-teens who look for writing more than plot. I really enjoyed this book.

The Social Climbers Guide to High School

Author- Rebecca Schneider
copyright 2007
pages-255
Genre- Self-Help
Reviewer: Twinkie

What if you don’t have all the answers?

I was on vacation and desperate for a good book and by chance I pulled The Social Climbers Guide to High School. It is all about the do’s and don’ts of high school and becoming a social climbing fashionista. This is no ordinary cheesy self-help book, it’s a guide. Rebecca Schneider uses humor and personal experiences to explain her advice and that makes the book more personal. Honestly readers, if you are a bit skeptical about high school, read The Social Climbers Guide to High School!

Wake

Author: Lisa McMann
Copyright: 2008
pgs: 110
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewer: Missy

I was looking through books at Borders. I pulled this one out because I liked the title and what the saying is on the top of the book “YOUR DREAMS ARE NOT YOUR OWN.” When I flipped open the book it started with “NOT ALL DREAMS ARE SWEET” at the beginning, and as I read the description more and more, I got pulled in.
We follow the life of seventeen-year-old Jain. She has a great life all in all, but there is one little…. okay…..large….. problem: she gets caught in other people’s dreams….and it’s getting old. She especially hates the falling dreams, naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. She has seen enough naked bodies to last her a life time. The hard thing is that she can’t tell anyone because they’d never believe her or worse, think she is crazy.

Kidnapped

Robert Louis Stevenson
2002
288 Pages
Rating: 4/5

Genre: Adventure, Classic
Reviewer: Numero Uno

Imagine being a very rich boy, getting everything that you could want without lifting a finger, then having to join a group of murderous pirates and thieves to get your inheritance after your father dies. Sounds like fun. This is what happens in the classic adventure book Kidnapped. Kidnapped was written by Robert Louis Stevenson and is one of the greatest adventure books ever.

Cyrano de Bergerac

Author: Edmond Rostand
Copyright: 2003
Rating: 9/10
Pages: 240
Genre: Classic
Reviewer: The Dark Knight

Amongst the many books in the canon of literature, Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac sticks out in my mind. Cyrano de Bergerac is about a brave Frenchman who has a big heart and a big nose. He falls desperately in love with Roxane, but the only problem is, he is afraid to tell her because he fears she won’t get over his disfigurement. There is another who is in love with Roxane, the young Christian. Roxane falls head over heels for Christian and Cyrano agrees to help him win her heart by writing wonderful love letters for Christian and letting Roxane think that Christian is the author.

I think that Cyrano is a great book because it has a little bit of everything for everyone. There are adventurous scenes, romantic scenes, and humorous scenes. Rostand really knew how to combine emotions. If you are looking for a book that has adventure, humor, and romance, then check out Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac!

The Princetta

By Anne Laure Bondoux
Copyright: 2004
Pages: 430
Rating: 10/10
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewer: Waimea

Anne Laure Bondoux takes her readers on a wonderful and thrilling journey through mystical lands. The Princetta escapes her palace and her marriage to an older man while she’s only 15! She decides to go on a ship and travel to different lands that she’s never heard of. She ends up going to a strange world that she didn’t expect. After reading this book about an exhilarating and riveting journey, I highly recommend The Princetta to kids and adults of all ages.

This Lullaby

By Sarah Dessen
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 304
Rating:4/5
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: Lyra

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen is a captivating book filled with romance, emotion, and humor, and will keep you reading for hours. Remy Starr is a stubborn, hard-headed girl who thinks she knows all there is to know about love. When she runs into Dexter, a live-the-moment guy, he is determined to change her. With her confusion about Dexter and her new step-dad (her fifth!!), Remy might just change her mind about everything she thought she knew about love. This story might just change the readers feelings too! This is a superb book about a real life relationship. This Lullaby is an outstanding story about how love doesnt always appear how you expect it.

The Three Musketeers

Author: Alexander Dumas
Copyright: 1984
Pages: 635
Genre: Classic
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Az Scorpio

Not so long ago I was introduced by a friend to read an excellent book, The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas, and I instantly felt in love with it, for this is a tale for all of time. Putting the heroic d’Artagnan and his noble friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis against the master of intrigue, Cardinal Richelieu, and the quintessential wicked woman, Lady de Winter, Dumas has created an enchanted France of swordplay, schemes, and assignations. The characters are based on historical fact, but with the glittering romance, and fast-paced action one doesn’t feel the weight of history in this book. I felt that it is extremely interesting to read this book and to see the perspective of life in the 17th century through eyes of a great author. Dumas is truly a genius, who has an incomparable imagination. I think if you like to read stories about knights, King Arthur’s time, and Queen Elizabeth’s reign, then you will also enjoy adventures of great French musketeers.

When It Happens

Author: Susane Colasanti
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: Hey There Delilah

When it came to Sara, it was love at first sight for Tobey. It didn’t matter that they were polar opposites (he’s a rocker and she’s a braniac), or that he had never talked to her before. Tobey walked into his senior year of high school with only one thing on his mind: to make sure Sara fell in love with him. However, there was just one catch; Sara was dating Dave, a popular jock. Nevertheless, the chemistry between Tobey and Sara was undeniable and their love might just be “the real thing”. In any case, this love story makes perfect harmony. One quirk that makes this book extra-special is the alternating narration. Not only do we get inside Tobey’s head, but we know what Sara is thinking, too. When It Happens is the perfect combination of blissful young romance and witty dialogue, and will definitely make the readers fall in love - with this book!

Eagle Strike

Author: Anthony Horowitz
Copyright: 2003
Length: 322 pages
4th in series
Rating: 10/10
Reviewer: Apple Jacks

This book is filled with riveting, heart-pounding action. From trouble in the south of France, to a fight to the death in Air Force One, to a crazed celebrity trying to “save the world,” this is an incredible book for any reader that loves action and adventure. You've got to read this book.

Holes

Author: Louis Sachar
Copyright Date: 1998
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 10/10
Pages: 233
Reviewer: The Noodle

Holes is the story of a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley is under a family curse. His curse causes him to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and that’s the reason why he was sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center. Flashbacks constantly happen, explaining how the curse started. Holes is my favorite book I’ve read so far. I liked how there were three stories in the book. I also enjoyed how the stories connected to each other. It was especially exciting to find out that every day when Stanley dug a hole five feet wide and deep, the terrible punishment the kids had to do, he wasn’t just building character. He was searching for something the warden of the camp wanted.

Eragon

Author: Christopher Paolini
Published: 2003
Pages: 527
Rating: Excellent
#1 in a series of 4
Reviewer: Bob Three

Eragon is a great book about a young teenage boy named Eragon. He lives in the medieval age in the amazing world of Alagaesea. Eragon was just a mere farm boy when he found the one thing that would someday change his life forever. He found a dragon egg, and would soon enough go on perilous journeys around and out of Alagaesia to seek the one king who took everything that mattered to him. His name was Galbatorix, the insidious mastermind of evil. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fiction and dragons.

Cyrano De Begerac

Author: Edmond Rostand
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 240
Rating: 7/10
Genre: Play, Classic
Reviewer: Egbert

This book is a play that is a love story. It takes place in France and is about a man named Cyrano de Bergerac. He is in love with a woman named Roxanne, thinking that she loves him when she truly loves a cadet named Christian. Christian ends up with Roxanne but dies a tragic death. I would recommend this book to many different people because this book contains humor, (for kids) love, (for girls) and fighting (for boys). This book is appropriate for all ages but reading difficulty would be recommended to 5th graders and above.

Twilight

Author: Stephanie Myer
Copyright: 2005
Rating: 10/10
Number of pages: 544
Genre: Fantasy
Series: 1st in series (out of four)
Reviewer: Blogging Buddha

In 2005, Stephanie Meyer debuted a love story which, unbeknownst to her, was going to be a huge success. Twilight, a young adult book follows Bella, an average mortal 17 year old, through her first year in Forks, Washington at a new school. Within half of her first day at school she saw him; beautiful, immortal, perfect Edward Cullen. Through the book Bella and Edward’s suspicion of one another turned into deep love and admiration. The forbidden love between the mortal human and the immortal vampire captures readers and takes them on entertaining adventures encountering different characters, both good and bad, mortal and immortal. This fantasy is an absolute must read.

Here There be Dragons

Author: James A. Owen
Copyright: 2006
Number of Pages: 200
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 10/10
Series: 1st of two books
Reviewer: Spider

Here There be Dragons is a great book to read at any time for young and old. This book is about three strangers John, Jack, and Charles, who were brought together by the Imaginarium Geographica, an atlas that existed in myth and legend. When the caretaker of the Geographica is murdered, these men know that it is their job to protect the Geographica from the Winter King. The Winter King is an evil conqueror who is gaining strength in the world of imaginary. Read this book to see if John, Jack, and Charles can defeat the Winter King before he creates a dark army that no force on earth can stop.

Twilight

Author: Stephanie Meyer
Copright: 2006
Number of Pages: 544
Rating: 9/10
1st book in Series
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Reviewer: Smackers

Bella, a normal teenage girl, and Edward, a vampire, fall in love and face many dangers while trying to fit into each other’s worlds. Bella and Edward are both 17- year-old seniors in high school in Forks, a small town in Washington. Edward protects Bella from evil vampires that are out to get her and also from evil humans and a car accident. Although Bella is in danger while around vampires, she falls madly in love with Edward and wants to spend the rest of her life with him. The book is romantic, creative, and describes the vampire world in a totally different and unique way.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Author: J.K. Rowling
Copyright: 2008
Number of Pages: 150
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 8/10
Reviewer: Cassie

This book is a collection of wizard fairy tales with commentary by Dumbledore. The stories were great, but the commentary sort of confused me- on almost every page, there were one or two extra notes, and I couldn't keep straight whether it was J.K. Rowling or Dumbledore who was talking. Other than that, though, everything was organized and it was definitely a good read. I'm extremely glad that J.K. Rowling decided to publish this book.

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick
Copyright: 2004
Pages: 273
Rating: 9/10
Genre: realistic fiction
Reviewer: Elmo

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie is a heartwarming story that can teach you many lessons and is very enjoyable. It’s funny, sad, happy, brave, etc. Steven, the main character in this book, tells about how he is dealing with his normal life: family, school, drumming, and girls. On top of that Steven finds out his little brother Jeffery has cancer. Now his whole life revolves around Jeffery’s illness. I guarantee if you read this you’ll never want to put it down. Jordan Sonnenblick did a terrific job with this book.

White Night

Author: Jim Butcher
©2008
Pages: 480
Rating: Excellent
Reviewer: Megabob

The book White Night is an exciting novel of the Harry Dresden Files. In the beginning of the book, Harry Dresden, the detective, is hired for a case of women that have apparently been committing suicide. Later on, he finally figures out that the White Court is behind it all. They have been (indirectly) murdering them and making it look like suicide. After a few days, he figures out the reason behind the White Court’s actions. Some of the White Court’s members are trying to gain a higher status within their organization. In order to do that, they have to prove their resources and strength. Harry Dresden travels to the White Court’s HQ and challenges the murderers to a duel. They fight to the death and after much struggle and cheating, Harry Dresden wins the duel and puts an end to the murders.

I chose this book because it was on my bookshelf. I enjoyed it and would recommend it highly to anyone.

I am not Esther

Author: Fleur Beale
Copyright: 1998
Rating: 10/10
Pages: 250
Reviewer: Bubbles


I am not Esther is literally the best book I’ve ever read. It’s based on a 14 year old girl named Kirby Greenland. She lives happily with her mother until one Christmas day when her life changes forever. Kirby’s mom tells her that she is leaving. Kirby would have to stay with her uncle and his family. No matter how much Kirby begs, her mother’s mind is set. Her uncle and cousin were there to pick her up in the morning. When they arrive at her uncle’s house she is informed that the family is part of a strict religious cult. The girls are to wear long skirts, long sleeved shirts and cover their hair (it kind of reminds me of Orthodox women…). Soon, Kirby takes interest in one of her little cousins, a girl who is obviously not happy with her condition. Kirby takes it upon herself to look after the little girl and find her mother, who has seemingly disappeared.

TTYL

Author: Lauren Myracle
Copyright: 2004
Rating: 9 out of 10
Number of pages: 224
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series: 1st in series
Reviewer: Hobo Jenkins

TTYL, an excellent book by Lauren Myracle, is a book completely written in IM (instant messaging). This book is about three girls in their sophomore year of high school who go through boy troubles, popularity contests, rumors, and broken hearts together. My friend recommended it to me and the minute I picked up and read the first page, it was almost impossible to put down. I recommend it to any teenage girl because every teen or pre-teen girl can relate to it. It’s also a great example of how teenagers communicate today since the whole book is written in IM. TTYL is a book full of drama and a book that any teen girl will love.

The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry
Copyright: 1993
Number of Pages: 179
Rating: 5 (out of 1-5)
1st book in a series
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewer: Francine

Jonas lives in a perfect world, until the “ceremony." When kids in the community turn twelve they are assigned a job. Not any job, but a job they will be doing for more than half of their life. Sadly, the kids can’t pick their own job. A special committee watches them to see what job in the community they will get and enjoy. Jonas gets the job as the Receiver. The Giver, the previous Receiver, gives Jonas memories of beauty, love and color from the previous world. Unfortunately, in the previous world there weren’t only happy things; instead, he also receives harsh memories of war, blood and injuries. Lois Lowry writes an interesting book with an inspiring moral. Reading this book made me think about where we live today and how different our world is compared to Jonas’s. Different in good ways and different in bad ways. I loved this book because of the differences in their community. As a result, I recommend The Giver to anybody older that 11.

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