Monday, October 26, 2009

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Alley Carter is about Cammie Morgan who attends the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. To the general public, this is just another private school for upper class girls in Roseville, Virginia. What they don't know is that it's actually a school for girls who have qualifications of becoming a spy. They learn martial arts and almost every single language imaginable. Breaking CIA codes counts as extra credit. As a sophmore, Cammie is required to take a class called Covert Operations taught by the new teacher, Joe Solomon. Cammie and her friends are put in charge a practice mission. While on the mission, Cammie meets Josh Abrams, a student from a local high school who know nothing about Gallagher girls. To cover her identity, she creates an alter ego. Soon enough, Cammie and Jose start to fall for each other. Will Cammie and Josh be able to be together or will being a Gallagher girl be too much for this romance? Personally I liked this book. It was fast paced and I enjoyed reading it from Cammie's perspective. I would recommend this to girls looking for a romance novel. It also has a lot of action. It will keep you wanting more.

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-Reviewed by RK, grade 9

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson is about a teenage girl who just recovers from a serious accident. It is in the future where technology has advanced to where a person can use synthetic materials to replace lost or damaged parts of your body. For example, if you were in a fire, and were severely burned, the doctors could grow new skin for you, or bones, or even your brain. The main character, Jenna, doesn't know about her accident. As the story unfolds, you and Jenna start to realize that her recovery wasn't normal. When she sleeps, it is like she is in limbo -- in between dreaming and just vast emptiness. Jenna discovers that parts of her body are fake, and starts to wonder how much of her is real. She finds that only ten percent of her brain is real. Is she still Jenna? Or is she someone new? My opinion of this book is that it was REALLY good. I don't normally like the whole science fiction thing, into the future stuff, but this was good. The time (future) didn't make that big of a difference. Mary Pearson's writing made it seem lik ethe plat was actually happening today. The plot slowly unfolded, with a lot of suspense . There were also parts of the book, where the author wrote, like, a poem how Jenna feels, like, in her head . It was something that I've never read before, and it was interesting. She also wrote like a teenager, and she got the feelings of any teen pressured to be their parent's North Star perfectly. I think the main message of this book was to move on, and let things go. I also think it brings up a good topic for discussion. Would you want someone to live if only ten percent of their real self was left? Or would you rather go naturally? It questions humanity and your ethics. It really made me stop and think. -Reviewed by AP, grade 9

Venomous, by Christopher Krovatin

Venomous, by Christopher Krovatin, is about Locke Vinetti is no normal kid. Ever since he was eight years old, he had a small problem. Okay, a huge problem. He calls it the Venom. Tommy Ferreo was the first to provoke it. He ended up with the top of his nose bitten off. But when Locke meets Renee, a goth with a troubled past, he falls in love with her. But he can lose if/when she gets hurt.
My opinion of the book was that it was very good. Even though it was a teen book, I think it should have been a mature teen book. It has lots of swear words. And a few sex scenes but nothing THAT bad. Overall, it was well-written, and it was enjoyable.
-Reviewed by AM, grade 9
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, is about an Earthling and aliens traveling the universe. One day, Arthur Dent, the Earthling, hears that his house is going to be cleared away in order to create a bypass on the Earth. Coincidently, Vogons, aliens from far away, are planning to demolish Earth to create a bypass in the universe. Few seconds before the Earth is destroyed, Arthur is saved by his alien friend, Ford Prefect, who is a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy. By Ford’s hitchhiking skills, Arthur and Ford are picked up by a Vogon spaceship. Vogons hated hitchhikers, so they throw them out in the universe. When Arthur and Ford are about to die, Heart of Gold, another spaceship, picks them up fortunately. In the Heart of Gold, Arthur and Ford meet Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed president of the galaxy, Trillion, Zaphod’s girlfriend, and Marvin, a depressed robot. All together, they take a journey to find out the answer of life, the universe, and everything. Also, they find out why Earth was made. To find out the answers read the book! It is time worth reading, especially for those who love science fiction and humor. You won’t be able to let go of the book when you start reading.

-Reviewed by SC, grade 9

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Dreamland, Sarah Dessen

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen is about a girl named Caitlin. Her older, perfect sister just ran away from home, leaving a huge gaping hole in her family. Caitlin is now forced to try and fill that hole. She becomes a cheerleader, and her mother jumps on the opportunity to get involved with Caitlin's life. She starts to realize that maybe her older sister didn't have it as easy as she thought. Caitlin feels pressured to do things she wouldn't normally do. She meets Rogerson Biscoe, and he's just what the doctor ordered. At first things are perfect. Then one incident lead to another and he hits her. Will Caitlin be strong enough to break away? I think that Dreamland is a book every girl should read. It shows that when you are in an abusive relationship, no matter what you think, there will be someone there to help you out. You are not alone. It is also written really well. Sarah dessen can really write like a teenage girl. I also thing that this book represents a large portion of relationships. It shows that the world is not all perfect and happy go lucky. Many argue that this book isn't one of Sarah Dessen's best works. However, I think that its because people want to read about how the girl gets with the gorgeous boy in the end and they all live happily ever after. But in real life, that's not the case. This book shows reality, and it's like a wakeup call for Caitlin and for the readers too. -Reviewed by AP, grade 9 .

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Invincible, by Troy Denning

In the book Invisible, by Troy Denning, Luke Skywalker and the rebels came up with a goal...eliminate Darth Caedus, formerly known as Jacen Solo. Newly trained Jaina Solo, daughter of Han and Leia Solo, has been given this important mission of assassinating her now disgraced twin brother. The Jedi try numerous plots to set Jaina up to destroy him, but many fail. Will Jaina succeed? Will the Moffs succeed in destroying the Hapan Alliance and their Queen? To be continued ……….

I would give the book an outstanding recommendation for its action, adventure, and epic battles. Though I would also recommend you read the ones before this book before divulging into it. Out of ten, I would give it a nine. Good reading!

-Reviewed by AL, grade 9

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Anna of Byzantium, by Tracy Barrett

Jealousy, misfortune and friendship are the story of Anna Comnenus. Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett, taking place in the 11th century, is about a young princess losing her promised throne to none other than her bratty little brother. After her attempted assassination of him, she was banished by her brother, John, to live with the nuns on a cold, deserted mountain. Slivers of her memory grabbed her and pulled her into a daydream of her past life. She remembers all those her mattered to her; Simon (her real father to her), her mother (the only one who understood), Constantine Ducas (her beloved fiance) and Sophia (her best friend). Her past and the people in it are haunting her. Anna of Byzantium is a great historical book that teaches you being spoiled will get your nowhere. Many people can relate to this story because most of us fight with our siblings and take life for granted. Anna, however, takes it to the extremes when she tries to murder him to gain power over the throne. This book also shows you that you never know what you have until you lose it. I recommend this book to 7th graders because it's the beginning of the part of your life where every little fight matters. -Reviewed by YS, grade 9 .