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 .