Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Eighth Grade Bites, by Heather Brewer

Eighth Grade Bites, by Heather Brewer is the first book of the series of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. Vladimir Tod is not just an ordinary kid that lives in the city of Bathory. He is a vampire, but just a young one. Vlad's parents perished in fire when he was about ten, so he didn't completely get over it. This story starts out at Vlad's house, on a Halloween. He received a blood bag from his Aunt Nelly, and left together with Henry, his friend, for a party. As they got to the party, they had some horrible time, so they came back. As Vlad continued on with his ordinary life, it was found that Mr. Craig, Vlad and Henry's teacher was missing. So a substitute, named Mr. Otis, replaced him. Vlad though he was suspicious because he kept giving him signs about vampires, such as giving him reports to do on them, or even coming over to his house to have a dinner and giving him hints. When Mr. Otis came to his house one day, he explained to him that he was his uncle, protecting him from Elysia, the vampire world. Nelly was captured by the leader of the Elysian society, D'Ablo. Vlad showed up to him with Oris, and they had a fight. Vlad used a weapon that was left by his father and ended up injuring D'Ablo very badly.

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is an excellent choice of book if you enjoy detailed events and some problems that all teens face, such as love. This book is usually bloody, such as when there is a fight between vampires, or even a vampire and humans. I find this book very enjoyable, yet worthy of spending time at the same time. I recommend this fantastic book to everyone that has interest in vampires, or just even actions.

-Reviewed by J.P., grade 9

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Pact, by Jodi Picoult

I started reading this book, The Pact, by Jodi Picoult, thinking that it would be a typical teenage romance but soon realized that the pact itself was much more than love. There is a boy, Chris, and a girl, Emily, who have grown up together ever since they were born. Their families live next each other and they do everything together until one solemn night rips them apart. Emily is found dead and Chris at the scene of the crime. He is hospitalized and then sent to jail for a long period of time. Charged for murdering his lover, detectives and lawyers work together to find evidence for and against him. The trial is built on an suicide pact but the truch comes out in the end.
The book is written so that one chapter is the present and the one after is a part of their lives growing up; the timeline of their lives is cut up perfectly leading up to the shot. I found Chris' and Emily's relationship touching. The trial taught me more about how court works. I would recommend this to anyone who has the patience to read through and not jump ahead to find out how it ends. 4/5
-Reviewed by L.G., grade 11.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers

In the novel, Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers, tells a sad story. Seventeen year old Richie Perry has just graduated from high school. He wants to go to college but can't afford it, and the streets are too tough. So he decides to sign up for the military and gets drafted into Vietnam. He meets Peewee, Lobel, Johnson, and Brunner. They are there for different reasons but share only one goal in common, getting out alive.

I would recommend this book. It tells a good story of life and death. I am fascinated by the military theme. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy action and history novels. I would give this novel a four out of five stars.


-Reviewed by "Dr." Sora, grade 10.

Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom

Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, is about a wise professor, Morrie, who teaches philosophy at a college. When diagnosed with AIS, his optimism overcomes his fear to die. One of his fellows students visit him every Tuesday. They talk about morals and ethies in daily life. Morris touches the heart of his ex-students also to cheer everybody else with his great attitude. But when Morrie dies, we all know his spirit never died.

In Tuesdays with Morrie, I learned a lot of ways of perceiving the world. It taught me how to be a better person. I learned a lot from this book. If you get this book too, you will also enjoy it. I guarantee you. It gave me an extra sense of optimism in life. So what I am saying, it's a great story and I highly recommend that you read it. It is appropriate for all ages. If you aren't surprised by it's great moral, I'll be shocked. But give it a try it is a great book.


-Reviewed by Nate, grade 9.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, is about Robinson Crusoe himself that escapes the formal life to become a merchant. Through becoming a merchant, Robinson becomes very succesful. On a voyage, Cursoe is shipwrecked. There he survives on the island for many years. One day, he encounters cannibals and saves their victim who soon becomes his slave/assistant. Through the two of them, the fight the cannibals and Robinson finds a way home to Europe. There he establishes a family and shares his knowledge of the island.
The book Robinson Crusoe is in my opinion a very good book. It is very descriptive of his adventures in life. There is lots of adventure and action, an always keeps me on my toes. Also, the author keeps the intensity of the story realistic. Robinson Crusoe is a very good book, I recommend it.
-Reviewed by Nate, grade 9.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is a book where the word utopia is defined like never before. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen lives in the world after its end. The twelve Districts are controlled by the Capitol, their government. When Katniss volunteers herself in the games instead of her sister, she has no idea what to expect. With the help of her partner, Peeta, Katniss will first-hand experience the hard truth. The Games are specifically designed to show the residences in the multiple Districts how the Capitol controls them. The golden country they live in has deep dark secrets that they don't want anyone to know...but Katniss can only do so much while mentally and physically preparing herself for the games. The girl from District twelve will prove to everyone {even herself} that she can do much more than expected. But what happens when a simple berries act can be called rebellious?

This story is an unforgettable journey to the end of the world. If you think that living in a perfect utopia is perfect, think again. Katniss proves that even in perfeciton, poverty and dictatorship are possible. To all those who enjoyed the book Pretties, by Scott Westerfield, this book is for you. Young readers everywhere are seeing that utopia is not always good. Or is it?

-Reviewed by T.A., grade 10.

Check catalog     eBook     Movie

Monday, October 4, 2010

Shadowmancer, by G.P. Taylor

Shadowmancer, by G.P. Taylor, is about someone named Vicar Obadiah Demurral that doesn't just want to rule a village; he has his mind on taking over the entire world. Demurral needs to obtain a weapon in order to successfully take over the world that no one including God himselt could stop. Even without this weapon Demurral is still a shadowmancer-a sorcerer who speaks to the dead that will take down anyone that interferes with his plan. Despite this, Raphah wants to reclaim the weapon that once belonged to his people until Demurral soon snatched it away. However, Raphah cannot fight, decide to help raphah. This decision is bold for such young people because now the fate of the world lies in their hands.

This book not only captures the vivid details of the struggles between good and evil; it also shows the power of sorcery or black magic and the power of determination and inner strength. If you enjoy all this magic as well as an adventure story, then I recommend this book to you.

-Reviewed by anonymous, grade 10.