Book+Reviews

**//Evil Genius//** by Catherine Jinks 4/5 Stars

Cadel Piggot is a seven-year-old orphan boy who also happens to be a genius. But the people around him cannot handle his “eccentric” behavior - one minute Cadel is planting a bob in school, the next day he’s hacking in to people’s online accounts. Soon Cadel is taken to psychologist Thaddeus Roth to help him control his “evil genius.” Oddly enough, rather than discouraging him, Dr. Roth seems to encourage Cadel to commit evil acts. There's only one rule, says Dr. Roth: “Don't get caught.” And so, Dr. Roth mentors Cadel in his evil ways for the next 10 or so years. When Cadel graduates high school, Dr. Roth sends him to The Axis Institute, which secretly teaches advanced criminal skills: forgery, poisoning, embezzlement, disguise, infiltration, and lots more. But nothing is as it seems. As Cadel becomes friendly with a young math genius, students and teachers begin to die, and Cadel becomes suspicious of everyone’s real motives….

This book has a series of twists and turns, each of which leads deeper into the web of lies that has been Cadel's entire life. If you want to know the truth behind Cadel’s life, read //Evil Genius.//

If you enjoyed the //Artemis Fowl// series, you are sure to like this book too. Review written by Daisy and Brandon

//**Thirteen Reasons Why**// by Jay Asher 5/5

Hannah left seven audio tapes with thirteen reasons why she committed suicide. Thirteen suicide notes to thirteen different people who influenced Hannah in some way to decide to end her life. Each one on the list is to listen to the tapes and pass them on to the next person. Clay Jensen is one of the ones to get the tapes. What did he do to Hannah? He doesn't remember. He always liked Hannah and wanted to get to know her better when she was alive, while going to school with him and working with him at the local movie theater. He starts listening to the tapes in the afternoon, and by midnight, he will know. He will know the thirteen people on the list. He will know why he is on the list. He will know why Hannah is no longer in pain, why she took her own life. And you will know too, the pain and anguish one teen felt so strongly that she could no longer tolerate it and decided to end it once and for all.

Watch the book trailer here

**//The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls//** by Elise Primavera 5/5 Stars

Cat, Franny, and Pru. Three girls as different as girls can be. They live in the strange, quirky town of Sherbet, on Gumm street. One day, Ivy moves into the old, ramshackle house across the street. With a life-threatening jinx on her hands, she hopes to make a fresh new start in Sherbet. Little did the other three girls know, Ivy's jinx would suck them into the land of Spoz, to make Ivy's jinx stop following her for good. But following ugly witch Cha-Cha will not be easy, and neither will waiting on her two green daughters hand-and-foot. Will they be stuck in Spoz forever? Or will they get the jinx to leave Ivy forever? Find out in this tale of friendship, jinxes, witches and the mysterious ruby-red slippers!

Review written by Zoe

Read more about this book here.

//**The Lord of the Rings**// by J. R. R. Tolkien 5/5 Stars

The Lord of the Rings is pure fantasy storytelling. J.R.R. Tolkien is not the master of metaphor. He has not brought to the table a revolutionary style of writing. What he has done is created a world so taut, well-developed, and wondrous it is hard to imagine why he ever bothered leaving it to tell us about it. The story is that of a Hobbit, a small human-like creature with big hairy feet that lives an easy and happy life in media type="youtube" key="AsF1x-pC_iQ?fs=1" height="276" width="345" align="right" an idyllic country village called the Shire. This Hobbit, Frodo Baggins, learns that because of a certain ring he owns, he must save his people and the other creatures of the world from the evil Sauron by throwing the ring into the volcano that created the metal from which it was forged. The reasons for this are revealed as the story develops and it all makes so much sense once you are taken away to Middle Earth, the world Tolkien created. Along with inventing this world (complete with a map, no less), Tolkien also presents the prototype for good versus evil and fantasy adventure that all fantasy writers wish they created. He is the master. If you can only bring yourself to read truly dense, elaborate, academic literary works then you might not think much of //The Lord of the Rings// (and you might be a bore). It is a blast and as re-readable as anything put to print.

Review written by Mr. Laguzza
 * //Lord of the Rings//** book trailer

//**The Mysterious Benedict Society**// by Trenton Lee Stewart 3/5 Stars

What do you do when a secret society is sending brainwashing messages across the whole world? Certainly not what one man did: hire a bunch of ingenious children to help solve the case. One day, a test is held. Hundreds of children attend, but only four of them are chosen for the life-threatening experience that could change their lives forever. Join the club in this novel about four great minds and the challenges they face. Join The Mysterious Benedict Society.

"This book was good, and while I was reading it I could not put it down."

Review written by Zoe

Watch the book trailer below! media type="youtube" key="8D4cIAQwL-k?fs=1" height="276" width="345"

//**Harriet The Spy**// by Louise Fitzhugh

5/5

Harriet The Spy. A girl who can do anything. She can squeeze through small spaces. She can go into dumbwaiters and listen in on everyone in the building. Who, may I ask, is this? An 11-year-old girl who considers herself a spy. She listens in on everyone in the building and records it down in her composition notebook. Get ready to meet Harriet. Get ready to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

Review written by Zoe.

After you read the book, go watch **//Harriet The Spy//**, the movie!

**//The Westing Game//** by Ellen Raskin 5/5 media type="youtube" key="BHixZCRp8xI?fs=1" height="276" width="345" align="right"

This book is about a millionaire guy who dies. This man had a big family and had accused somebody in his family of murdering him. When his family read his will, it turned out to be a game, This game was a way to find out who the murderer was. Who ever would figure out who the murderer was would win all of his money. I loved this book!!! It was very unpredictable and you will never guess the ending. The book will make you wonder and will change the way you view the world. It will make you rethink every thought and think twice about whether someone is telling the truth or not. This book will train your mind to become invincible!!!

Review written by gpipko Watch **//The Westing Game//** book trailer:

//**Elsewhere**// by Gabrielle Zevin 5/5

Elsewhere is a story about a girl named Liz who died in a bicycle accident when she was in her early teens. After she died, she went to an amazing place called Elsewhere. Elsewhere is the place people go after they die. In Elsewhere you age backwards untill you are reborn on Earth. At first Liz is unsure about Elsewhere, but after many great things happen to her there, she loves it.

I would definitely recommend this book. Even though it may seem depressing because it has to do with death, it's not. It's heartwarming, and a page turner. If you want to know about all the things that happen to Liz in Elsewhere, start reading!

Review written by Lily

**//Spells & Sleeping Bags//** by Sarah Mylnowski 3/5

What would it be like if you were a witch? Not just ANY witch, but one that had to live in a normal world and hide your powers from everyone around you? Well, maybe you aren't in a situation like that, but what about Rachel? Rachel is a normal girl, going through normal things, with powers. And at this point in her life she's not having an easy time. Her 12 year old sister is way better at witchcraft than she is (and really, she can't even levitate a pencil), and, she is being shipped off to a camp in upstate New York with people she doesn't even know FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER. She is not nearly as popular as her younger sister, and worse, there's a girl at camp with a dark secret. I obviously can't tell you what it is, but it is most definitely connected to Rachel's powers. When things start to go all wrong with this mysterious girl, Rachel's whole life becomes a mess. Will Rachel get her life back? (hint hint) Will she finally get the guy she likes to like her too, without her powers messing everything up? And, lastly, will she learn to master her powers? Find out in this book of magical catastrophe.

I would recommend this book to you if you liked the style of the **//Princess Diaries//**, and if you like teenage kind of things. It was an okay book but it was not FABULOUS. Review written by Zoe

//**The Outsiders**// by S. E. Hinton 5/5

You are walking down a dark street in your home town, and a car pulls up beside you. Five people get out. One of them has a knife. What do you do? Run? Or stay and fight? Set in the 50s, the outsiders by S. E. Hinton is a gripping tale about a group of extremely poor boys trying to survive and find a little happiness in the gang ridden streets of Tulsa Oklahoma. When one of them commits a terrible crime, they are forced to run away to find a place to hide, and along the way, they found a little more.

I sincerely hope that you will consider //**The Outsiders**//, by S. E. Hinton. I have read it on numerous occasions and no matter how many times I read it, I always come back for more. The book is never dull and it is very touching to the very end.

Review written by "Yabo"

**//Tarzan of the Apes//** by Edgar Rice Burroughs 5/5

When I started **//Tarzan of the Apes//**, I was not so interested. After the first chapter it was getting better. By the third chapter I was hooked. The adventure of this man/ape's life would have anyone constantly read. Whether he was swinging through trees, or fighting a lion, this book is always interesting. I definitely recommend this book, but be warned it might make you read the sequel.

I would definitely recommend this book. It was always exciting and always kept my attention. I think that it also ties a lot of genres together such as mystery, fantasy, suspense, and adventure, which is why I think a lot of people could be interested in this book.

Review written by "The Real Slim Shady"

**//Larklight//** by Philip Reeve 5/5

Arthur and Myrtle Mumby live in orbit of the Earth with their widowed father, an outer-space ichthyologist and member of the Royal Xenological Institute of london, Britain, in an incredible year-old vessel called Larklight. All was going swimmingly until a superior race of super intelligent (and eternal) enormous, eight-legged arachnids, called the Fist Ones come and take Arthur's father, kidnap Larklight as their own, and plan to rule the rest of the universe with an iron fist. Luckily, Arthur and Myrtle are launched to the moon via Larklight's escape pods, where they find nefarious space pirate, Jack Havoc and his crew, who solemnly vow to assist the destruction of the First Ones. Can Arthur, Myrtle, Jack and his crew amongst the Sophronia defeat the First Ones? Or will they fail under the mighty boot under the First Ones? Review written by Conor

//**The Hunger Games**// by Suzanne Collins 5/5

In the ruins of North America, sixteen-year old Katniss Everdeen lives in the poverty-stricken District Twelve, with her sister Prim and her mother. Each year, the Capitol, which is a big city that rules over the twelve districts, selects one boy and one girl from each district to fight in the Hunger Games. These Games are a live televised event where the Tributes fight to the death and the last one standing wins. When Katniss’ sister Prim is chosen for the games, Katniss volunteers to take her place, which she considers a death sentence. But, Katniss is tough and knows what it takes to survive. Yet, nothing prepares her for the games that lie ahead.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone! Even though it is Sci-fi, people who don't like sci-fi will like it too. There's romance, action, and REALLY SAD moments. //**The Hunger Games**// has to be my most favorite book ever! Even when Katniss is all by herself and has nobody to talk to it still is interesting because she has so much on her mind. I also liked the romance element too!

Review written by Daisy

**//Lynn Visible//** by Julia DeVillers 4/5

Lynn. What a boring name! But that won't stop Lynn Vincent from becoming the greatest fashion designer there ever was! And she is making big sacrifices to live her dream. #1: Nobody likes her, everyone thinks she's a weirdo, and it's just because she makes her own clothes out of store-bought cloths and it looks a bit wacky. But to Lynn, her clothes are fashion. When Lynn and her best friend Taylor stumble upon the opportunity to get Lynn on the IT panel for only the trendiest magazine, GlITter Girl, her dreams are utterly crushed. Soon, out of sheer annoyance of not making it on the panel, one of her most brilliant creations ends up in the hands of an amazing designer. And that's where the story really begins. THE SHOE. Maybe her dreams weren't crushed after all (?)!!!! Oh, and if you're wondering what the whole deal with the shoe is, then you had better read the book. You'll be super LYNN-spired after reading this!

I think that this is a fun book if you are in the mood for just something upbeat and happy. It was a pretty good book! I liked it! Review written by Zoe

//**Main Street**// By Ann M. Martin 3/5

Main Street is a series by Ann M. Martin. The story revolves around two sisters, Ruby and Flora Northrop who shift to a small town Camden Falls to live with their Grandmother after the sudden death of their parents. The girls find a new journey and adaptation in the new town and new people with old still memories of their parents. I would recommend this book to other because it teaches you a lesson on how moving and friendship is not a bad thing.

Review written by C. Pedreira

//**The Mother Daughter Bookclub**// by Heather Vogel Frederick 4/5

When the mother's of Megan, Cassidy, Emma, and Jess get talking after yoga class, they decide that a Mother-Daughter Book Club would be a fantastic way to start off the girls' year in 6th grade. Megan Wong, the aspiring fashion designer, Emma Hawthorne, the writer, Jess Delaney, the farm girl, and Cassidy Sloane, the sports obsessed girl, are basically forced to be in this book club with their mothers. But, surprisingly, they like it a lot more than they thought they would, and they are in for some fun. Will they all become friends? Will they like the book they are reading, //Little Women//? Find out in this fun-filled book that can be read in any time of year.

Review written by Zoe.

**//To Kill a Mockingbird//** by Harper Lee 5/5

I teach this one to my eighth graders. There is a good chance you read it in school yourself. So there is a good chance the joy of reading it yourself has been squandered by lame class discussions and an even lamer test (I hope to avoid having just such an effect myself). If so, read it again. This is one of the books that many of my students burn through on the first weekend they have it in their possession. Then they come in on Monday and tell me it is officially their favorite book. Why is it so timeless and universal? Because it is oozing with righteousness and realism. The story revolves around a court case in the 1930s in Alabama in which a black man is accused of attacking a white woman. The protagonist is a ten-year-old tomboy, named Scout Finch. Her father is Atticus Finch, the lawyer defending the accused man, Tom Robinson. Atticus is as close to a believable perfect parent as there can ever be. But Harper Lee has a message. And in delivering it she lets none of her characters off the hook. This is a story about both the evils of prejudice and prejudice's widespread existence. All are prejudiced in //To Kill a Mockingbird// in some way for some reason (and it is not always their fault). Even Atticus laughs when Scout asks why women are not allowed on juries and explains that Southern ladies could not handle the grisliness of some cases. He goes on to joke that women talk too much too, so they can not be relied on to come to a decision. The realism of the characters will make you wonder about yourself and your own possible prejudices. And then there is Boo Radley: a hermit of a man who lives next to the Finches. The neighborhood children have developed such a thorough and frightening legend about Arthur "Boo" Radley that it seems as though he may be some sort of zombie. We all grew up near him and plenty of us are ashamed of how we talked about that stranger in our neighborhood or even of how we treated him/her. From the side story of Boo Radley, Harper Lee teaches her readers the importance of the timeless Golden Rule.

Harper Lee has given us a story that will make you care for dozens of her characters and worry about the United States as it continues to fight its way through the angry, difficult adolescence of its existence. You might become a better person if you read it.

Review written by Mr. Laguzza

**//It's Kind of a Funny Story//** by Ned Vizinni 5/5 When is the last time you read a true, honest, and intriguing book about a suicidal, sweet, teenager, with love, hate, and...cuts on a girls face? NEVER! This book shows the anxiety, opinions and conversations of a depressed, angst, young adult named Craig, and his journeys through his echoey adolescent mind. The book starts with an attention grabbing first quote, "Its so hard to (italicize) talk when you want to kill your self" He goes to a "pre professional high school" with his best(and only) friend Aaron, the curly haired, thick rimed glasses, funny sidekick and his girlfriend Nia who Craig is secretly in love with. Through thoughts of suicide and trouble with eating, and not up-chucking, Craig checks himself into a mental ward. There he discovers another patient and starts a relationship -- two dysfunctional people trying to create something special, which surprisingly can work even better, when they are both messed up.

This book, carries you along, with ironic, sweet, fun, dark themes which make you have a special happy-sad feeling that can change the way you think. READ IT! Review written by "Scott Pilgrim"

by John Newhouse 4/5
 * //Boeing Vs. Airbus: The Inside Story of Greatest International Competition in Business//**

This book tells about the "Dogfight overseas" famed by the airline industry. Americas main aircraft manufacturer, Boeing Industries is coming out of bankruptcy and finds itself in the heat of a battle between Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. Airbus with it's recent aircraft, the A380. The largest commercial passenger aircraft ever to fly. Boeing has their hands full withe the 787-8/9 series being pushed forward and the larger than ever, 747-8 freighter. The 787 was expected to be delivered to All Nippon Airways in the third quarter of 2010, now being delayed to the second quarter of 2011. The 747-8 has now had no delays and is soon to have them. Where the battle started with McDonald Douglas' merge with Boeing in the early nineteen hundreds and the A380 from 2005. This book is harder to read than most and is one of those books to be read only by avid aircraft enthusiasts. John Newhouse describes this book in his own special way that gets straight to the point. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to read about the trans-ocianic battle.

Review written by balletboy101

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by Michael D. Beil 4/5
 * //The Red Blazer Girls//**

Ah. Where do I begin? Four girls? A mysterious old lady? A long-lost ring? A Dickens-obsessed English teacher? Well, I think it best be described with a school. A catholic, all-girls school, with girls who (obviously) wear red blazers absolutely all of the time (well, except for Rebecca, sometimes, but that’s besides the point, I am already getting off track). There’s Sophie St. Pierre, the girl with some serious knack for math and a very good sense of taste. Then there’s Margaret Wrobel, who, not only used to live in Poland (and speaks fluent Polish), but is working her way through the Harvard Classics Collection and knows more than just about anyone on the planet. Rebecca Chen, the very talented young artist (despite her never being able to go anywhere because of her pesky little brother and sister) is always up for some detective work. Lastly, the new girl, stunningly gorgeous Leigh Ann Jaimes, with a truly gifted talent for acting, joins the red blazer girls in their first adventure that will (hopefully) lead to many more! Though it begins with an odd scream from Sophie in the middle of class, it all unfolds when the girls find the secret passage in the church, and the mysterious note in the book of poetry is found by the old lady). Never underestimate a group of girls in red blazers, that’s all I can say! (Oh, and I think I forgot to mention Raf, the boy in the story. Well, there’s got to be a boy somewhere in the book!) When reading this book, you very well may find yourself solving the puzzling puzzles yourself, and feeling very pleased, at that. Get ready to meet the red blazer girls (and the boy, of course)!☺

This book was really hard to put down! I read it in one day! It was interesting and exciting, but it wasn't the best book I ever read, so I give it a 4. Pretty cool book! I liked it! I liked the characters and how they were described. Review written by Zoe.

//**A Crooked Kind of Perfect**// by Linda Urban 4/5

Ever since she could remember, Zoe Elias has wanted to get a beautiful black baby grand piano. She has wanted to practice and practice until she was good enough to play at Carnegie Hall, and one day she hoped to play there. She hoped to come out in an elegant gown and sit down at that glossy piano and play her heart out. And then, when it was over, everyone would clap and ask for an encore. Well, soon enough Zoe has to snap back into reality and remember that her dad didn't get her a piano. He got her a wheeze-bag organ. So much for Carnegie Hall. But Zoe realizes it is somewhat perfect, but in a crooked kind of way. She takes lessons and soon enough she is ready to compete in the annual Perform-O-Rama competition for organ-players. Zoe realizes that Carnegie Hall might not happen, but a few other surprises might be there along the way....!

I thought this was a good book, and it had an important lesson in it: make the best out of what you have. Because even though Zoe didn't get exactly what she wanted, she found a way to be happy, and she made the best of the situation.

//**Gilda Joyce and the Ghost Sonata**// by Jennifer Allison 4/5

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator. When Gilda's best friend, Wendy, is invited to England for a piano competition, Gilda begs to come with her until she finally gives in. Gilda is determined to travel around, just searching for mystery. When in London, things happen, and they are not normal. Strange tarot cards, nightmares, strange melodies, and ominous behavior from certain people. Gilda has got to get to the bottom of it all, and fast. She can't be getting distracted by Julian (despite his British accent). She has to solve the case.

I like this book a lot. It was really good, and really suspenseful. I would recommend it to lots of people indeed.

Review written by Zoe

//**The Dragon's Eye**// by Dugald A. Steer 5/5

What happens when an evil dragonologist is trying to steal the Dragon's Eye jewel that has the power to do almost anything? Well, you will never know until you read this book. At least there's Dr. Drake Earnest, the man who can, hopefully, save the jewel before it is stolen. Maybe it won't be as hard now that Drake has his two trusty new students to help, Beatrice and Daniel. Taking place in the late 1800's, this is a gripping story of the race to the jewel and the way it all started. I would recommend this book to almost anyone. I loved it and I think boys and girls will like it. It was a page-turner and I really enjoyed it.

Review written by Zoe.

//**Mockingjay**// by Suzanne Collins 5/5

After a war involving the whole world called the dark days, our world has split into 12 districts. The district that is in charge is called The Capitol. They are the richest district and control all of the other districts. Of course, to make sure the districts understand that they are in charge, they hold a thing called The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a violent fight to the death. 2 kids, one boy and one girl from each district (24 people in total) go into a huge arena. This arena could be any kind of landform, and there could be extreme weather. They fight until there is only one kid left, who wins. The prize is fame and fortune forever, but the haunting thought of the people they killed. In the first book of The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark (both 16 yrs old) get chosen from district 12. We follow through their fight to survive. Do they come out alive? I can't tell you but i can tell you this. In Catching Fire, another dangerous task comes at hand for Peeta and Katniss and the start of a dark future begins. They must fight to survive not only inside the arena, but also outside. The rush of emotions I got from this trilogy was amazing. I've never cried so much in my life! if you like crying over books and if you want a book that you CAN'T put down, this is your book. Suzanne Collins is an amazing author. Her writing makes you feel like you are participating in the hunger games.

Review written by "mrs.mellark! <3"

//**Fever 1793**// by Laurie Halse Anderson 5/5

Fever 1793 is about a young girl named Mattie Cook who lives in Philadelphia and is peacefully running a nice, popular, coffee house with her reformed mother. Every thing is going quite smoothly, except for the back breaking work that is involved. Then, the Fever breaks out. It swept Philadelphia quicker than a day. Suddenly her whole world is destroyed by this terrible fever. Just when things couldn't get any worse, her mother catches it. She is forced to flee the city and leave her mother. But just on the border, her Grandfather gets the fever and they are not permitted to enter the country. She has no idea how to take care of him, especially now that they are stuck in the forest with no food or water. Luckily, they get back to Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Mattie becomes ill herself. After she is cared for and recovered, the coffee house has been broken into and Grandfather is dead. But where is mother?! Will she come back? What about the servant girl, Eliza?

I recommend this book because I just couldn't put it down! If you like a real nail-biting suspense book, this is the one for you! Review written by "Gibeautygirl"

//**The Invention of Hugo Cabret**// by Brian Selznick 5/5

This book is about a 12 year old boy with a dead father, living by himself behind a huge clock in a train station. As the book goes along he finds cues about his dead father and his inventions. As he finds clues he realizes how much of his life was just full of clues and lies.I would recommend this book because it just has so many twists and you will not take your eyes off it. Don't feel like your going to take a month to read this book.You will see when you take a look inside.

Review written by JZ

**//My Side of the Mountain//** by Jean Craighead George 4/5

Suppose you were a boy living in NYC and your life is really stressful. And your Parents decide to let you leave. What would you do? Run away? That's what Sam Gribley did. Set in the early 90s, //My Side of the Mountain// is a fun and exciting story about a boy who tries his hand at independent living, and miraculously succeeds. With his pet falcon, frightful, Sam Faces the wilderness with gritted teeth, and finds that he likes it more than he could ever have imagined. I loved My side of the mountain. Full of adventure, and exciting from start to finish. I hope that you will read //My side Of the Mountain// too. Review written by "Yabo"

//**Fever 1793**// by Laurie Halse Anderson 5/5

Have you ever looked in the past? have you ever felt so sick you thought you would die ? well most of the people in Philadelphia did die from yellow fever. People died almost every day. Did you ever think about yellow fever? Well this story is a mix of drama, creativity, honor, heart and many more true feelings. //Fever, 1793// is also about a little girl named Maddy. Her dad died which made her mom get stressed and sick. Her mom turns out to get the yellow fever so her grandfather and her have to flea Philadelphia. A the end of this book Maddy realizes that her mom really does love her. Will Maddy's mom die? Will Maddy be okay? Will Maddy get yellow fever?. I enjoyed reading this book because it has a lot of heart and you should read it too. It will inspire you.

**//Lord of the Rings//** by J. R. R. Tolkien 5/5

The Fellowship of the Rings takes place in middle earth. It is about the one ring of power that the dark Lord Saroun forged in Mount Doom in the land of Mordor. He tried to take over middle earth. But Iseldor ended chopping off Saroun's finger. The creature Gollom found the but lost it and Bilbo Baggans a hobbit (a hobbit is a small creature that goes bare foot, is less than three feet tall, and lives in a country called the Shire) found it in THE HOBBIT and Frodo Baggans inherited the ring. But Sroun captured Gollom and tortured him. They made out two words, Shire and Baggans. So Gandalf a great wizard and friend to the Bagganses sent them to the elves and the elves put together a fellowship and sent them off to destroy the ring. Reviewed by C

**//A Child Called It//** by Dave Pelzer 5/5

A young boy goes through a hard life of verbal and physical abuse while living with his two other brothers that are treated like every child should be. The story has a very intense beginning and a VERY depressing ending. I would recommend this book to people who don't mind to cry. But I wouldn't recommend this book to people who do mind the tears.

Reviewed by Kyra

**//Frog Princess//** by e. d. Baker 4/5

Emeralda is a princess. She lives in a big, magical castle in a land of witches, magic, spells, dragons, princes, and, sadly, CURSES! Emeralda is nothing like her mother wants her to be. Her mother wants her to be a girly princess who will take over the throne one day, who will marry a handsome prince, who will wear flowing gowns and who will never, EVER go to the side of non-royal WITCHES. Boy, was Emeralda's mother wrong about her daughter. Number one: Emeralda hates her long annoying name and would much rather be called Emma. Number two: Emma would never in a million years want to become a Queen. No, she wants to become a witch more than anything. Her aunt, who lives on the palace grounds, is a witch. Not a bad witch, don't get me wrong, but just a witch who can do magic, and spells, and all KINDS of cool things. Emma wants to do that. In fact, her aunt gives her witch lessons all the time. She gives her magical boxes and rings, and teaches her all kinds of spells. One early morning Emma goes out into the royal gardens to visit her aunt. Then, suddenly, she spots a frog. Eh. But then, the frog talks. She screams. She may live in a magical world, but she is SO not used to this. Turns out, he needs her to kiss him to bring him back to his true form. A handsome prince! Apparently if Emma doesn't kiss this slimy frog, he will never stop bothering her. So she just does it. She kisses him! End of story, right? Well, not exactly. Instead of him turning into a prince, SHE TURNS INTO A FROG! WHAT NOW?!?!?!? Well, little had she known a princess by blood cannot break this spell. What does she have to do? She has to go on a quest for the witch who turned him from a prince into a frog in the first place. Time to go on a magical adventure, and maybe fall into some froggy love on the way....

This book was really totally pretty awesome! I liked it a lot because it was not just a retelling of the original fairy tale, it was a twist! But it wasn't just any twist, it was a really fun, wacky twists that led to many more! It was fabulous! Review written by Zoe

//**Shattering Glass**// by Gail Giles 3/5

Fat, clumsy Simon Glass is a nerd, a loser who occupies the lowest rung on the high school social ladder. Everyone picks on him until Rob Haynes shows up. Rob, a transfer student with charisma to spare, immediately becomes the undisputed leader of the senior class. And he has plans for Simon. This is from the book jacket of Shattering Glass and at once one is wondering what is Rob up to? What are his motives? Why is it so important to him that Glass lose his nerd label? Rob recruits several of his new classmates/friends who are afraid to say no to his popularity and charm. I thought it was a believable story of young adolescents struggling to find their own identities and dealing with the pressure of their peers to do what they want them to do. The author tells the story by moving back and forth between the past and present and having the reader predict the outcome. I enjoyed this to an extent but, in the end there were too many gaps for me. It was the type of ending that leaves you with many possibilities and you can plug in the one that suits you best. In all, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it with a three quarters thumbs up.

Review written by Mr. Casey

//**1984**// by George Orwell 5/5

It really is too bad that this book is so appropriate right now. The Information Age is even scarier in some ways than Orwell imagined. In 1984, Orwell presents a modern dystopia that all others somehow must give a nod to. His is focused primarily on a government's control taken to an extreme that is sadly rather believable. People in the society don't know any better. They gladly serve an unknown higher entity and are happily brainwashed. The human creation of government is probably a necessary entity to maintain existence in an organized and safe manner, but it also can be such a menacing necessary evil because power corrupts. Orwell saw this better than others and soon should be considered a prophet. Read this story in which Big Brother is always watching you in a nightmare future England and you will see certain aspects of our society in a different light. Like those cameras on ATM machines. And those cameras snapping pictures of cars at red lights. And that camera at the front of the school's entrance. And the cameras in everyone's pocket. Orwell essentially predicted the surveillance we now have in our society. Little did he know we would all watch each other and post our wrongdoings on YouTube for all to see. But, one thing's for sure. Big Brother would love FaceBook and YouTube.

Review written by Mr. Laguzza

Watch the movie trailer for 1984

//**Shug**// by Jenny Han 3/5

Annemarie Wilcox is 12 years old. She has way too much to deal with. #1: Her perfect older sister, Celia, is never around now that Annemarie needs her the most. #2: Her parents are fighting a lot, and it is extremely worrisome. #3: Mark will never love her. Annemarie has always been the kind of girl who lives across the street, rides her bike to your house, and has the same best friends throughout her whole childhood. Her nickname, Shug, describes her perfectly. She's sweet like sugar, just like her Mama tells her. Shug really likes Mark. But does he like her? I think not. Read Shug, a story of life, puppy love, but most importantly, family.

Reviewed by Zoe

//**Wait Till Helen Comes**// by Mary Downing Hahn 5/5

Molly's pretty normal. She has a brother named Michael, and a mom who loves them both. But when her mom remarries, they move to some creepy old house that's conveniently placed next to a graveyard. Even better, Molly's stepsister, Heather, is an absolute pain, making up lies about things she and Michael never did, and always being defended by Molly's stepfather, Dave. Things get even worse when seven-year-old Heather discovers a hidden grave, the grave of a little girl just like her named Helen. Heather then begins playing with an imaginary friend, coincidentally named Helen. Molly starts having her suspicions, and she then follows Heather to a nearby lake where she said she was going to play, and witnesses Heather talk to Helen! Is Molly losing her marbles and cogs? Is Helen real? I dunno. I'm not telling you. I definitely recommend this book. It's very written and the story itself is great! GOGOGOGO!!! Review written by Suzie-Q

by Lucy Christopher 4/5
 * //Stolen//**

"It seems so simple how I ended up here. I was this close to being on that flight. To avoiding the entire situation. My parents had already gone through the gate, and all I had to do was get a cup of coffee before I did the same. When I didn't have the right currency, you appeared and offered to pay...with an intense look and those beautiful, innocent blues eyes. How could I refuse the kindness of such a handsome stranger? I'm not quite sure when you did it, but all you needed was a second or two to drug my coffee. And my life was no longer in my control. You guided me through the airport, but my memory is too fuzzy to remember the specifics. I remember you giving me new clothes to put on. And something scratchy to put on my head. You kept feeding me chocolates. The world went hazy. I was awake enough to realize we had got on an airplane. Where it was taking me, I had no idea. When the world became clear again, I was in so much pain. Lying on the bed, wondering if you hurt me, if you touched me. Everything felt so slow, but my heart was beating so fast. When I asked where I was, all you said was that we were here. And that I was safe."

Sixteen year old Gemma has been abducted from the Bankok Airport and taken to the most desolate part of an Australian Outback. Nobody knows she is there, nobody even knows where to look for her, she’s completely alone at the mercy of her kidnapper, the mysterious Ty, who has been secretly stalking her for the last 10 years. Why did Ty take her? Will Gemma ever go home? Find out by reading this gripping novel. Review written by Ms. Medalion

**//Diary of Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth//** By Jeff Kinney 3/5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth is the 5th of its kind. It tells the story of a young boy (middle school age) named Greg who goes through his life and gives a funny take on everything that happens to him. It is funny, hard to put down, and pretty good all-around, but it is pretty easy. Sometimes you just have to face The Ugly Truth about life. *Sigh.* It was really funny, but a bit too easy. It has some really good moments.

Review written by Zoe

//**Ulysses**// by James Joyce 5/5

Ulysses is a 1000 page story about 24 hours in the life of Leopold Bloom. I once had a middle school student so bold as to attempt to read this doozy when she saw I was reading it (with a guide by my side). After she read 30 pages or so she asked me what was going on. My answer? Two words: "He's shaving". But this bizarre, excessively detailed presentation of the mundane, everyday activities of everyday man is why Ulysses is thoroughly as the greatest achievement in modern literature. Stream of consciousness should be impossible to write, but James Joyce did it. AND he had each section correspond with the epic poem. AND he wrote each section in a totally different genre, many invented by him. But what is really great about Ulysses is how, as a reader, you swim in and out of the fog of understanding and often know and enjoy what is going on. Plus, when you have no idea what is going on, the writing is so jaw-dropping you eat it up anyway and truly enjoy it. Like much surrealism that followed its publication, understanding is not necessary to get Ulysses and love it. And if nothing else, reading this book is an accolade that people should put on their resume: I read Ulysses.

Reviewed by Mr. Laguzza

//**Catch-22**// by Joseph Heller 5/5

So, what is the catch? The catch-22 is the rule that if you are marked insane by a doctor then you can no longer fly a warplane into battle. You must request to be tested. But, if you request to be tested then you must not want to fight in the war which means you are sane. So, you must keep on flying because you have proven that you are not insane. Get it? The first half of Catch-22 is so full of this kind of wit that, in some ways, I admit it is hard to get into. However, the second half is one of the most spectacular portions of American literature.

The story is of the unfortunately excessively rational and sane Yossarian, an American fighter pilot in World War II who wants nothing but to survive and go home from the battlefields in Italy. He wants to stop flying in battles but he can't because of the Catch. The story uses this central idea to continue with a full satire of the military world.

My favorite character is Major Major. He is constantly promoted through the ranks because he is so annoying but never does anything that deserves a demotion, so the powers that be promote him to get rid of him. And, here's a fantastic quote to give you an idea of the attitude and style of the language: "I really do admire you a bit. You're an intelligent person of great moral character who has taken a very courageous stand. I'm an intelligent person with no moral character at all, so I'm in an ideal position to appreciate it."

And so goes Catch-22. It is silly, witty, and mean, and admittedly too smarty-pants at times. But if you like a story that expects a lot from readers and certainly never insults their intelligence, instead leaving them to figure out things for themselves, then Catch-22 will do just fine.

Reviewed by Mr. Laguzza

by F. Scott Fitzgerald 5/5
 * //The Great Gatsby//**

F. Scott Fitzgerald said he intended to write "something new" when he wrote //The Great Gatsby//. He most certainly succeeded, but interestingly not without using the basic emotional and plot arc of Greek drama.

The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, embodies the American dream in all its hope, wonder, disregard for others, and greed. Fitzgerald writes, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the...future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning--" Gatsby's life takes place during the Jazz Age, an unavoidably exciting time to be alive in the United States. He is eventually a self-made millionaire and seems to accomplish all his goals rather early on in the story when he buys a mansion in East Egg, Long Island on the water.

But, one goal remains unattained. He wants Daisy Buchanan. And as Gatsby himself admits, "Her voice is full of money". So, perhaps the story of the American hero is actually a simple romance, all of Gatsby's hard work meant simply to impress, reel in, and capture the legendarily gorgeous Daisy Buchanan who he first met when he was an impoverished officer.

The story ends like a Greek drama. And because of its simple core of the American hero achieving great wealth and success all on his own, only to lose it due to his own excess, The Great Gatsby deserves credit for all sorts of stories that have come since, not least of all Citizen Kane and The Godfather. It is a template for a certain kind of story: the all too timely one of an American wanting not just comfort, happiness, and success, but massive wealth and attention and that American getting it and losing it. Maybe we should be suspicious of a community in which it is a compliment to be called a regular Jay Gatsby.

Reviewed by Mr. Laguzza