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
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: 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.