Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Truth about Forever, by Sarah Dessen

If you are looking for a medium-sized book to get you into your summer reading list, this is the book for you. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen is subtle about the relationships a girl has during her life. Seventeen year old Macy finds herself at crossroads when her brainy boyfriend asks to take a “break” from their relationship because she said “I love you”. Due to her mother’s hectic work schedule, Macy decides to find comfort at a local catering company called Wish. And poof! Macy transforms into someone who can express her feelings and desires to someone after years. She finds herself with the help of a quirky family complete with a pregnant Delia, monosyllabic Monica, obsessed-with-everything Bert, out-of-her-mind Kristy, and quiet-but-brilliant Wes. Overall, the book is good with a strong structure and hints of sarcasm to help you keep reading. I recommend this book to anyone who is always tongue-tied like me when it comes to expressing your feelings to parents, siblings, or friends.

-Reviewed by Sayonika, grade 10.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld

Sixteen is the age that every girl impatiently waits for. Tally is almost sixteen and she’s excited to get her present. No, her present isn’t a car or a huge surprise birthday party with all her friends. In fact, it’s an operation that will turn her pretty. Tally lives in a world where everybody turns pretty only at the age of sixteen. Before that, you are known as an ugly. She can’t wait to turn pretty and move on to the other side of the river where the only job people have is to have fun. Although everything seems perfect, there is one thing stopping her from turning pretty. Her new friend Shay decides that she doesn’t want to turn pretty and runs away. Now, the doctors have given Tally two choices: either she finds Shay and turns her in, or she never turns pretty at all. While trying to bring back Shay, she learns the secrets of turning pretty that might make Tally change her mind forever. What will she choose to do? I won’t tell you. But I recommend you read this book if you would like to know what happens in a world where anyone that we classify as normal is classified as ugly.

- Reviewed by Ani M., grade 9.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Persuasion by Jane Austen

In Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, Anne Elliot, the leading character, centers around her remorse and regret after breaking off an engagement. As a result of persuasion(hence the title), she has ended the relationship with her "true love." The novel takes place eight years after this incident, and takes its peak when her former love reappears into the community. I think this book will definitely be enjoyable, despite the slight difficulty with the language and organization. If you're a hopeless romantic, or have heard of Jane Austen- read this book!


- Reviewed by Christina, grade 10.