Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is an excellent mystery. Sherlock Holmes and his trustworthy friend, Dr. Watson, are faced with an appalling murder. A legendary hound known to have haunted the Baskerville family for generations is the prime suspect! Holmes denies that such a supernatural thing could happen, but peasants living near the scene of the crime claim to have seen an enormous hound with blazing eyes. Has the legendary hound genuinely materialized from the dark shadows. Or is it a clever trick from a foe that is almost Holmes's equal? This book is another astonishing Sherlock Holmes mystery that will take any reader aback. It is a book for mystery readers in for a scare. -Reviewed by JunHyung, grade 7.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie, is a mystery about Hercule Poirot, a Belgian detective, on a crowded Orient Express. While he is on the train, Mr. Ratchett is murdered. The train had previously run into a snow drift, so the murderer was still on board. There are many interesting clues such as a broken watch, a handkerchief, and a button, but the clues seem to lead nowhere. However, Poirot is suddenly struck with a surprising fact: there were multiple murderers, all of whom have a serious gripe against Ratchett. An impossible murder case, this book will make readers dumbstruck when the mystery is unravelled. It is a wonderful book for people who are up for a challenging mystery. -Reviewed by JunHyung, grade 7.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte

A Poem for Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte Darkest novel in literature Two complete strangers fall in a helpless love They can't help themselves Love lies deep - never ending Parental consent is outnumbered Torture by paranormal marriage One is thought gone forever Life moves on But coming back is a mistake Heathcliff Love lays deep - hereditary Children follow parents' eerie example Death is a new beginning Two souls tortured forever on the scale of hope, dreams Forbidden romance Catherine - make up your mind Two men are at her back and call Choose the one you love Don't follow mother's example Parents aren't always right Break free Make mistakes Learn from them Wuthering Heights An older, more romantic version of Twilight When will it end? -By T.A., grade 10.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

First Test, by Tamora Pierce

An Ode to Protector of the Small, by Tamora Pierce

Denying prejudice
A new law made
All but one prevail
Who will take charge?
Keladry of Mendelian

Bullies, doubts, men, oh my
The palace is not big enough
All under one roof
They tease, mock, and bury
But she fights back in a fury

Page, she is now
Up and up she goes
From page to squire
To knight

The lords and ladies frown
But she raises her head high
No one will break her
For she is the
Protector of the Small


-By T.A., grade 10.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Rumors, by Anna Godbersen

Rumors, by Anna Godberson, is the second book in the Luxe series. With Elizabeth Holland's immature death fresh in the air, all eyes are on her younger sister. She doesn't care about the rules of society that govern New York's elite. Penelope Hayes is also getting whiplash after Elizabeth's death. She wants to take everything that her friend left behind. That, unfortunately, includes her fiance, Henry Schoonmaker. Henry is the elite's most eligible bachelor and is strangeley in love with his late fiance's sister, Dianna Holland. He is not just in love with her, he is head-over-heels in love with her to the point that marriage is on his mind. But the rules of society forbid her from marrying the fiancee. Carolina Broad is also taking up her own position in society with the help of Penelope Hayes and her knowledge of the Holland's financial state. The love triangle continues until someone comes out heartbroken. Dianna Holland is her own person. The author shows the "bad girl" in her uptight family. This is a book where secrets and rivalries are revealed. Elizabeth is really alive and tormenting Penelope's dreams with the thought that she might come back. The only thing that can make the press wild is a good book with great reviews. This is the book for them. Dianna's unwanted courtship and Penelope's unparalleled ambition make it certain that one person will end up heartbroken. -Reviewed by T.A., grade 10.