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Book Reviews:
Beautiful
Creatures
By: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Recommended
by: Mr. Wolk
Plot:
Ethan is a 16-year-old student/athlete at Stonewall
Jackson H.S. in Gatlin, South Carolina. New girl Lena drives a hearse, lives
in a "Haunted Mansion" with her "only-comes-out-at-night" uncle, and is
followed around by a wolf/dog named Boo Radley. When fate brings Ethan/Lena
together, peaceful Gatlin becomes a battlefield in an epic struggle between
the forces of Good and Evil.
Why read?
Beautiful Creatures is much more than
your typical b-ball player meets pretty girl with supernatural powers and
creepy relatives story. Authors Garcia and Stohl combine traditional
Southern gothic elements with allusions to To Kill A Mockingbird, classic
American poetry and Civil War history to create an intoxicating debut novel.
The
Magicians By:
Lev Grossman
Recommended by: Mr.
Wolk
Plot: High school
senior Quentin Coldwater would love to escape from his dreary Brooklyn
existence. After finding only a dead professor at his Princeton interview,
Quentin stumbles upon a secret entrance to Brakebills College(a training
ground for young magicians/sorcerers) and discovers that worlds he once
thought fictional are indeed real. Unfortunately for him, there's no
guarantee that learning the art of magic and visiting the lands of his
dreams will lead to the happiness that ordinary society seems unable to
provide.
Why read?
Fans of C.S.,J.K. and J.R.R. should enjoy this thrilling fantasy tale
spiked with humor and attitude. Quentin's coming-of-age adventure is filled
with surprises, captivating characters(the flamboyant Eliot, the
amazingly-gifted Alice...), and clever cultural references. Grossman's
conclusion seems to indicate that he has more tricks up his sleeve and at
least another volume in store. Kate Christensen calls The Magicians a
"spellbinding, fast-moving" book "that feels like an instant classic."
The
Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot:
Nobody "Bod" Owens grows up in an old graveyard, where he is raised
and educated by ghosts. His friends and protectors include a witch, a
she-wolf and one of the "living dead." Although the graveyard brings many
adventures, Bod longs for the outside world, where he can interact with
other living creatures. However, leaving means abandoning safety to enter a
world inhabited by Jack, the man who has already murdered the other three
members of Bod's family.
Why read?
In
the title and individual chapters, Gaiman pays tribute to Kipling's Jungle
Book. Gaiman's tale is a quick/easy 300 page read, and the plot is
entertaining and suspenseful for readers of all ages. The Washington Post
says that "like a bite of dark Halloween chocolate, this novel proves rich,
bittersweet and very satisfying."
Eldest
By:
Christopher Paolini
Recommended
by:
Daniel S.
Plot:
The sequel to Christopher Paolini's Eragon, Eldest, picks up right where
Eragon left off. As readers follow the training of Eragon, the last dragon
rider, they are submerged further into the lands of Algaesia and experience
new creatures and races. Eragon travels to the land of the elves where he
begins his training with the elves to become a stronger rider.
Unfortunately, the army of the tyrannical King Galbatorix is amassing and it
is up to Eragon to prevent the fall of the rebellious force, the Varden.
Why Read? Anyone who has read the first of
the Inheritance series, Eragon, definitely has to pick up and read this
book. Paolini's style has not changed at all and he develops an even more
suspenseful and action packed story. Fantasy readers in general would enjoy
this book not only for its fascinating plot, but even minor details. Paolini
develops multiple languages throughout the book in Elvish and Dwarvish, and
he also makes small connections that foreshadow upcoming twists and turns.
Much like Eragon, the ending of the story does not disappoint, and it
flawlessly sets up Paolini's next and final book of the Inheritance trilogy,
Brisingr.
The
City of Ember By: Jeanne
Duprau
Recommended by: Himal P.
Plot:
Ember, in a city where electricity is revered and nobody knows how anything
works. The story begins in a school where the year old students are getting
their jobs. The main character, Lina Mayfleet wants to be a messenger and
travel around the town to deliver news. After initially getting another job,
she becomes messenger after trading her job with Doon. Doon Harrow and Lina
used to be friends and throughout the course of the novel their relationship
flourishes. They come together to find a way out of the city because the
supply of light bulbs, food, and other necessary items are running out. The
journey allows them to see that corruption is everywhere and that not all
can be trusted.
Why Read? This book is worth reading
because it involves a topic that is not often seen. Also, it allows one to
see that children can indeed make a difference in their world.
Reviewer’s note:
I would recommend this novel for 6-8 graders. It was a easy read and
was a light social commentary.
Read more reviews
The
Lightning Theif By:
Rick Riordan
Recommended by: A.S.
Plot: This book is about a
12-year-old boy named Percy Jackson. He always gets into trouble and got
kicked out of boarding school many times. After a school year, Percy and his
mother go to the beach to spend their vacation. One morning, Percy's best
friend, Grover, knocks on the door to their rented-house. When Percy's
mother wakes up and find out what the problem is, she rushes him to a camp,
where Percy finds out who he is. He also finds out about his father (whom he
never met in his life).
Why Read? This book is funny. There are
five books in this series. Only 4 of them have been published. I swear this
book is really good. Even if you don't like mythology or legendary, you will
love this book. The author has written this book in such a way, so that it
wouldn't be boring. It is written in a way so that it would be interesting
and funny and so on.
Reviewer’s
note: This book is
one of the best book I ever read.
Uglies
By: Scott Westerfeld
Recommended by: A.S.
Plot: This book is about a
15-year old girl named Tally Youngblood. In this futuristic world, where you
get an operation at the age of 16 to become a "Pretty". Tally can't wait to
become a "Pretty". Just before the operation, Tally meets a girl named Shay,
who is the same age as Tally. They become friends and hang out. The night
before the operation, Shay runs away, leaving Tally with a clue. So, even if
Tally wants to follow her, she can. The next day the authorities call her,
cancelling her operation. They give here an impossible decision. She must
find Shay and return her to the authorities. So that they can turn Shay into
a "Pretty". Or, Tally will never become a "Pretty" again. The decision Tally
makes, changes her life forever.
Why Read? This book was one of the best
books I ever read. To write this kind of book, it requires a lot of
creativity. You will love this book!
Reviewer’s
note: You will love this book! The book may look like a big book,
with many pages in it. But, I swear it is worth reading all those pages.
read more reviews
Runemarks
By:
Joanne Harris
Recommended by: Mr. Wolk
Plot: 500 years after the End of
the World, power players of Norse legends such as Odin and Thor have a
chance to return to their former glory. However, the key figure in the
future of the universe is a fourteen-year-old witch named Maddy Smith.
Unfortunately for Maddy, she has a conspicuous runemark on her hand and
lives in the village of Malbry, where "to be imaginative" is considered
evil.
Why Read? If you enjoy tales featuring
gods/goddesses or Lord of the Rings, you're likely to be intrigued by
Runemarks. British writer Harris's first attempt at this genre comes
complete with a map of Nine Worlds, a cast list of forty gods/villagers and
explanations of all the runes/spells that play a role in the plot.
A
Night in the Lonesome October By:
Roger Zelazny
Recommended by: M. Takla
Plot: In the murky London gloom,
a knife-wielding gentleman named Jack prowls the midnight streets with his
faithful watchdog Snuff- gathering together the grisly ingredients they will
need for an upcoming ancient unearthly rite. For soon after the death of the
moon, black magic will summon the Elder Gods back into the world. And all
manner of Players, both human and undead, are preparing to participate. Some
have come to open the gates. SOme have come to slam them shut. ANd now the
dread game approaches- so let the Game begin.
Why Read? It's a Hugo and Nebula award
winner (highest science fiction prizes there are) and it's absolutely high
octane. Zelazny is macabre and witty and will never leave his reader
wanting.
Raven's
Gate
By:
Anthony Horowitz
Recommended by: Daniel S.
Plot: This book was about a 14 year old orphan boy, Matt, who turns out to be more than just a normal person. He attempts to rob a presumed-to-be abandoned storage building. He is caught and sent to live with an old lady, who doesn't particularly care for him, as punishmet for his juvenile crime. This old lady just so happens to change his life forever despite here old age.
Why Read?
This book is worth reading because it gets more interesting as it goes on.
This is the first book in the Gatekeeper series with Evil Star and Nightrise
as additional books in the series. They are all worth reading and they get
more interesting as the story goes on.
Reviewer’s
note: The Alex Rider series by this author are very good too.
World War Z
By: Max Brooks
Recommended by: David S.
Plot: At some undetermined time in the future the world is recovering from a world war known as the Zombie War. There was an epidemic where a virus known as the Solanum virus swept the world and turned the dead into the Living Dead, or Zombies. Now that the war is over, author Max Brooks is traveling around the world to interview people who were in the war and who had major effects on how it started or ended.
Why Read? I think the book is good because it doesn’t look at the war from the point of view of a lone warrior who manages to save the entire world, but instead takes the point of view of numerous fictional characters ranging from doctors to smugglers. Max Brooks describes how a real virus could spread and how a real war could begin perfectly and leaves no detail out. You should not read this book if you are looking for a monster movie like story or if you want to hear about a guy who shoots hundreds of zombies in the face, but instead if you are looking for an interesting way to tell the story of how the human race prevailed in one of the biggest world conflicts ever to occur in zombie fiction.
Ender’s Game
By: Orson
Scott Card
Recommended by: Hanqing Z.
Plot: A brilliant child is offered admission to
the prestigious Battle School, an institution that prepares talented
students for a war against aliens. The school puts Ender through rigorous
training, straining him both physically and mentally. The training forever
changes Ender, who is unaware that he is the key to mankind’s survival.
Why read? The novel
is all about characterization. You’ll be happy to know that there are no
fantastic space battles. Don’t read this book purely for action. Read it to
witness the growth of a human being who faces tremendous expectations and
endless adversities.
Jonathan Strange & Mr.
Norrell
Recommended by: Mr. Moran
Plot: In early nineteenth-century England, the Learned Society of Magicians meets on a regular basis to discuss their arts—which, sadly, do not include actually performing any magic. (They just can’t get it right.) Once Jonathan Strange enters their social circle, however, tides of magic are let loose upon England that affect both local and international figures.
Why Read? I’m a reader who usually turns away from this kind of book, but this one is entertaining, well written, funny and often surprising. (I began by listening to it on CD in the car but had to buy a copy because experiencing the book just on my commute was not enough.) The novel has been described as “Harry Potter meets Jane Austen,” but that isn’t wholly accurate, since the experience of reading the novel really defies accurate description. Don't let its length scare you—the pages whizz by and, like anything else worth reading, once it's over you’ll wish that it weren’t.
The Best of
H.P. Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre
Recommended by: Mr. McKibbin
Plot: A disciple of Edgar Allan Poe and an inspiration to Stephen King, Lovecraft weaves tales of murder, mystery, and suspense that will run chills down any reader's spine. This first volume collects 16 classic tales, including “The Rats in the Walls,” “The Call of Cthulhu,” “The Dunwich Horror,” “The Outsider,” and “The Colour Out of Space.”
Why read? If you love the works of Poe or if you simply love to be scared, then Lovecraft is a must read. His themes range from the insignificance of mankind in the universe to the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest. My personal favorites are “The Outsider” and “In the Vault.”
A Game of
Thrones
Recommended by: Mr. Szalecki
Plot: The kingdom of Westros is thrown into disarray when its monarch, King Robert, is killed by a rampaging boar during a hunting expedition. As the leading families of the kingdom vie bloodily for power in the wake of the king’s death, the unknowing kingdom is threatened by a beautiful but formidable princess from the east (she keeps three dragons as pets) and an ancient menace from the north, the mysterious Others. The only certainty in this realm on the brink of chaos is “winter is coming.”
Why read? Martin is more than just another Tolkien clone. Yes, his work can be found in the fantasy isle at Borders and Barnes and Noble, but his work transcends the genre. More than most fantasy authors, whose characters seem like mannequins or robots, Martin uses his considerable resources as a writer to give his readers characters of near Shakespearean complexity. He lavishes just as much attention on the “bad” guys as he does on the “good” guys, but sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who. His cast of characters is huge, and each one has a fully wrought personality, complete with individual flaws, quirks, and worldview.
The House of the Scorpion
By: Nancy Farmer
Recommended by: Ms. Maffa
Plot: A young boy named Matt grows up knowing that he is the clone of his country’s tyrannical ruler, El Patron. As Matt discovers the truth behind the workings of El Patron’s empire as well as the disturbing future that’s planned for him, he must decide whether he will accept the identity his society has assigned to him or defy it.
Why read? I’m not usually a science-fiction fan, but the depth and intricacy of Farmer’s plot and characters make the story a compelling read. It also raises questions about power, technology and humanity that are worth considering.
Small Gods
By: Terry Pratchett
Recommended by: Mr. Davis
Plot: A god returns to the world, but since no one worships him anymore he can only manifest himself as a small turtle. He begins a quest to re-establish worship of himself, though it's hard to be taken seriously when you are a turtle who can no longer summon up enough power to smite anyone...
Why read? Terry Pratchett has a worldwide following because his books not only are brilliantly written, but each satirizes a different aspect of our own society. This book it is organized religion, others send up everything from the press to the post office. His insights are brilliant, and the books make you laugh and think at the same time.
Neverwhere
By: Neil Gaiman
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot:
Richard Mayhew seems to be living the good life, with a corporate job
and a beautiful fiance. Then he helps an injured girl on the sidewalk and
finds himself in London Below, a world of eerie subway tunnels, strange
creatures, talking rats, floating markets and hired assassins. Like Dickens’
Scrooge, Richard undertakes a dark journey and must reassess his system of
values.
Why read? The heroes(Richard/Door/the Marquis), the villains (Croup/Vandemar) and the “alternate reality” of London Below are products of a brilliant imagination. Gaiman is hotter than ever with a Stardust movie and a Beowulf adaptation.
Maximum
Ride: The Angel Experiment
By: James Patterson
Recommended by: Jess
F.
Plot:
6 kids. 12 wings. enjoy the flight. it will blow you away. (if you
didn't get that—these children are 98% human, 2%
avian. their adventures. your thrill.)
Why read? if you are interested in sci fi, genetic engineering, stem cell research, etc. READ THIS BOOK. it will grab on to your brain with the 1st four words and won't let go until you end. I LOVED IT. If this book interested you, you can follow up with When the Wind Blows and The Lake House (also by James Patterson)
The Great Book of Amber
By: Roger Zelazny
Recommended by:
Mr. Moran
Plot:
The “Amber”
novels (beginning with Nine Princes in Amber) concern a man who awakens from
a coma to learn that he is really one of a special family whose members can
alter reality at will in order to surf between parallel worlds. As Neo says
in The Matrix, “Woah.”
Why read? I read them for the first time when I was in middle school and they convinced me, more than any of my teachers at that time, that reading was vital, thrilling and mysterious.
Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince
By: J.K. Rowling
Recommended by:
Brandon M.
Plot: Voldemort becomes stronger and stronger as the war goes on. Draco is acting suspicious and Harry finds out about a mysterious Half-Blooded Prince! Dumbldore teaches Harry about Horcruxe’s and Voldemort’s past!
Why read? This book explains so much in the series that you wouldn't understand the last book with this one. Harry learns so much about Voldemort and maybe how to destroy him. It might be the only way to destroy him!
Reviewer’s note: It is completely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows
By: J. K. Rowling
Recommended by:
Mr. Snape
Plot: Apparently, this is the last book in a minor, hard-to-find series of books about a young wizard.
Why read? Rumor has it that this book may outsell Rachel Ray’s latest. There are also websites suggesting that a series of films is planned, detailing the adventures of this little-known hero. Be warned: you may be the only person in town who knows about what may become the sleeper hit of 2007. read more reviews
Keturah
and Lord Death By: Martine
Leavitt
Recommended by:
Ms. Maffa
Plot:
Keturah gets lost in the woods one night and there meets Lord Death
ready to take her away from the world she has always known. She is able to
persuade him to give her one more day to live by telling him a story and
withholding the ending. While talking to him she also discovers that her
town is in danger of catching the plague. Once she returns to her home, she
must figure out how to save herself and her town before it’s
too late.
Why read? A wonderful and surprising story of suspense and romance, beautifully written.
The Golden
Compass By: Phillip Pullman
Recommended by:
Ms. Maffa
Plot: Lyra lives an ordinary life as an orphan at Oxford college until her mysterious uncle shows up with news about a puzzling substance called Dust and a possible alternate universe in the North. When her best friend Roger is kidnapped to be used as part of an evil experiment, Lyra must set out in that direction and face armored bears, “gobblers,” and the realization that nothing is what it seems to be.
Why read? A complex adventure/fantasy/mystery novel that you won’t want to put down. Once you finish this, you’ll have to pick up the next book in the series of His Dark Materials, The Subtle Knife.
Tithe
By: Holly Black
Recommended by:
Joshua C.
Plot: Kaye is the punk daughter of a rock ‘n’ roll mother that has dropped out of school in order to support their small family. After her mother has a fight with her bandmate-boyfriend, Kaye finds herself living in her childhood home with her grandmother...a place where she had many “imaginary” friends. A late-night run-in with a dark, mysterious, wounded, and extremely handsome young man leads Kaye into a richly wrought fantasy world that clashes with our own.
Why
read? Tithe
is a dark fantasy that melds romance, horror, magic, as well as a strong
dose of real human issues. It is a book that you will compulsively read
until you are done. Kaye is a great character that you allows you to feel
her complex emotions, and startling changes. Plus, the story continues in
Black’s new novel Ironside!
read more reviews
1984
By: George Orwell
Recommended by:
George Z.
Plot: An ordinary man named Winston Smith struggles against the oppression of a totalitarian society. Set in a dystopian London in the year 1984, the novel encompasses themes such as social class, love, propaganda, and torture.
Why read? Orwell’s writing style is immersive and easy to follow. The novel makes many insightful conclusions about the human psyche and speculates on a path that society could end up taking in the future.
Good Omens: The Nice and
Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
By: Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Recommended by: Ben
Y.
Plot: It is the end of the world as we know it. The Antichrist is born, and is switched at birth. The four ride out, on motorcycles. The End Times are coming, and Heaven and Hell have decided that maybe they actually like humans. The novel traces the story of an angel and demon who attempt to stop the end of the world, as they are quite comfortable on Earth, the misadventures of a young boy and his hellhound, and the plight of descendant of a prophetess who foresaw all of this. Have a nice doomsday...
Why read? It’s a humorous forecast of the end of the world, full of allusions and references to various items of (British) pop culture. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you think. The two authors are recommendable alone, but together they are just godly.
Stardust
By: Neil Gaiman
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot:
Tristran Thorn can marry the beautiful Victoria Forester but only if
he retrieves a fallen star from the land of Faerie, which can only be
reached every nine years. Unfortunately for Tristran, other parties are also
searching for the star, which will bring youth, beauty, power or magic to
the one who holds it.
Why read? Stardust is a fairy tale/quest story that anyone of any age can enjoy. Here’s a chance to read the book before a major movie release.
Witch
By: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Recommended by:
Brittany A.
Plot:
Holly Cather’s is sent to live with her
aunt and twin cousins after a fatal accident. A family feud forgotten by her
family but not to the other resurfaces. The story of her family's history
and her own life collide into a fight for survival. Ancient magic is thrown
at Holly and her cousins. Will they be able to withstand the heat that the
Falcons bring them or will the hawk fall out of the sky?
Why read? This story makes you forget about anything else you are committed to do. It hooks you in the world of Holly Cathers. I’ve found that the first one or two chapters of this book aren't that good, but once everything starts to wind up, you won't be able to put the book down.
Reviewer’s note:This is the first book out of four in the series: Wicked. (NOT the Wizard of Oz one.)
Childhood’s
End By: Arthur C. Clarke
Recommended by:
Dmitriy Y.
Plot:
Aliens invade the earth and create a world-wide utopia for humans. No
wars, no poverty, etc. The question is why. And are we willing to accept
absolute utopia at the expense of freedom.
Why read? Clarke takes an interesting look at religion, politics, and power.
Star Wars
Episode III Revenge of the Sith
By: Patricia C. Wrede
Recommended by:
Joshua F.
Plot: The Jedi are involved in a Galactic War with the Sith. The Jedi are after General Grievous. Darth Sidious executes Order 66, killing Jedi everywhere. Anakin Skywalker, a young powerful padawan doesn’t know if he’ll be a Jedi of a Sith Lord. He fights Obi Wan Kenobi, a wise Jedi master, on Mustafar. If you want to know more read this book.
Why read? I would read this book because it tells how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. It tells why there’s only Obi Wan and Yoda are the only remaining Jedi. It tells how there’s no more remaining Jedi in the galaxy.
Reviewer’s note: I would give it a nine out of ten stars.
The Tail of Emily Windsnap
By: Liz Kessler
Recommended by:
Rachael W.
Plot: The story is about a young girl named Emily Windsnap. When she was very young her father disappeared. Little did she know, he was a merman. Later she goes into the water for the first time, and when she does her legs stick together and become a tail. Emily meets another mermaid named Shona who helps her find her way to her father. They work together to get across the great mermer reef and through all the obstacles. She decides to go on a long swim looking for her father who is in a mermaid and merman jail. She encounters many obstacles along the way. Does she get to her father and save him?
Why read? If you like fantasy books or books with impossible events you should read this. It is a little longer then two hundred pages. The book is easy to read. I highly recommend this book.
Reviewer’s note: I rate this book a 9/10
Foundation
By: Issac Asimov
Recommended by: Mr. Moran
Plot: The Galactic Empire is dying—and, according to Hari Seldon, the founder of “psychohistory” (a branch of mathematics that predicts historical patterns) there will be chaos, ignorance and war for 30,000 years. Therefore, he urges the Empire to set up “the Foundation”: a secret storehouse of all the knowledge that humans have accumulated over the course of millenea. (This way, when the 30,000 years pass, the human race won’t be in even more terrible shape.) Of course, something goes wrong...
Why read? The “sci” isn’t all that scientific (if that frightens you) and the “fi” is very readable and quick.
Reviewer’s note: Make sure you begin with the first Foundation book (simply called Foundation)—Asimov wrote a number of sequels.
Split Infinity
By: Piers Anthony
Recommended by: Mr.
Cibrian
Plot: This first book
of the Apprentice Adept series describes dual worlds, Proton (based on
science) and Phaze (based on magic). Stile is a master gamesman from Proton
who learns his double on Phaze has been murdered. He must travel between the
two worlds to solve the mystery, all the while watching out for those trying
to kill him.
Why read? Although Anthony is better known for his Xanth series (read them if you haven’t), this combination of science and magic has always intrigued me. Also, there are a number of games competitions throughout the novels, and as a games aficionado, I've always loved those parts of the series.
Wicked
By: Gregory Maguire
Recommended by: KJ
Plot: It takes place in Oz, before Dorothy came in the picture. The story centers around Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned girl who grows up to become the Wicked Witch of the West.
Why read? It was worth reading because it’s a great book, and I loved every single page of it. It kept me wanting more. It gets exciting, and it helps you understand some parts of The Wizard of Oz. It answers many questions about that movie. Like why does the witch melt when water gets thrown on her, why the lion is a coward, and it tells you a lot about Glinda.
Soon
I Will Be Invincible
By: Austin Grossman
Recommended by:
Mr. Wolk
Plot:
There are 1,686 superbeings in the world
(mainly humans but also including eighty-seven alien visitors, three dogs,
four cats and a bird). One supervillain, Dr. Impossible, has already tried
to conquer the world on twelve different occasions, and now he's back for
attempt number thirteen. Standing in his way are the Champions, a
dysfunctional team of superheroes with more “baggage”
than the ’77 Yankees.
Why read? Author Grossman is both a video game design consultant and a Romantic/Victorian scholar. His novel revisits the eternal conflict between Good and Evil, explores the human side of the superhero/supervillain experience (with a refreshing sense of humor), and draws connections to the likes of Grendel, Fu Manchu and Dr. Moriarty.
Eragon
By: Christopher Paolini
Recommended by:
Christopher M.
Plot:
A boy named Eragon finds a blue stone and it hatches into a dragon.
He becomes the next rider and has to find a way to train and restore peace
to the land of Alagaisia.
Why read? It had a lot of action and was never boring.
Artemis
Fowl By:
Eoin Colfler
Recommended by:
Jeremy L
Plot:
It is a fun adventure about an 11 year old genius who is a
criminal mastermind. He has discovered the secret of the fairies existence
and plots to steal their gold.
Why
read?
it is a fun action packed thriller that makes you want to read till
you fall asleep.
Endwar
By: Tom Clancy
and David Michaels
Recommended by:
Greg M
Plot:
The year is 2020 and Russia has once again become a dominant
superpower in the world. Russia builds up its arsenal of weapons and tries
to conquer Canada against everyone’s wishes and demands. The United States
is given the challenge to stop the invading Russian troops. Throughout the
novel, the United States of America seeks help from the Canadians and
especially the Europeans to stop the invasion. Yet the Canadians remain
neutral even when their country and citizens are threatened and it is left
up to the American to defeat the Russians.
Why read?
All the dialogue and action in Tom Clancy’s Endwar is very simple and
one-sided. After all, the novel was based after a video game! The battle
scenes consume a majority of the book, leaving little space for actually
character development. Tom Clancy relies too heavily on Russian stereotypes
to characterize an entire nation of people as cold warriors. If you like
novels with very little characterization, drawn out battle scenes, and an
unrealistic plot, then you will like this book. Personally, I would have had
more fun playing the video game. Anyone willing to read this book cover to
cover is truly a brave soul.
The
Hobbit By:
JRR Tolkien
Recommended by: Luke S
Plot: Bilbo Bagins
lived a quite life, that is until he met the Wizard Gandalf. With fortune
and fame in his eyes, and within his hobbit reach he could not decline an
adventure with the old wizard. Throught the book, Bilbo encounters horrors
and troubles. Such as trolls, orcs, and a strange creature called Gollum.
Why read?
It is an interesting fun book to read. The cast of characters only
becomes more interesting within time, Bilbo has a delightful sense of humor
that can surprise almost anyone. The plot also adds quite a bit to the
story.
Reviewers note:A great book
Read more reviews
The
Metamorphosis By:
Franz Kafka
Recommended by:
Paul L
Plot:
This story of a man named Gregor who is transformed into a bug. As
you read the story you will see Gregor's life as a bug and see the
relationships with his own family.
Why read?
This book is very interesting.
Reviewers note:Very good book
Dragon Rider
By: Cornelia Funke
Recommended by:
Dimitri G
Plot:
The story is about a dragon named Firedrake who receives news that
the humans are going to flood the valley where his dragon clan lives. With a
brown cat-like animal named Sorrel, he sets off to find a place called the
Rim of Heaven, which is a place where dragons can live in peace. When he
leaves, he meets an orphan boy named Ben along the way. When they stop to
rest during the journey, they land in the lair of Nettlebrand, also known as
"The Golden One." He's a dragon that hunts other dragons for fun, sort of
like how humans hunts animals, and when he sees Firedrake, he sends his
servant Twigleg to follow them. Nettlebrand hopes that he will be able to
follow Firedrake to the Rim of Heaven, and be able to hunt and kill the
dragons once again.
Why read? This book is
very easy to read and understand, so different readers of all ages won't
have a problem reading it. It is also very interesting and keeps the reader
wanting more. If you like reading fantasy stories, you will love this book.
Reviewers note: Because it's easy to
read and very interesting, I enjoyed reading this book.
read more reviews
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