Monday, September 9, 2013

Spoiled, by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan is about your average girl named Molly Dix. Molly discovers that her biological father is Brick Berlin, who is a world famous movie star. Molly moves to Los Angeles and begins the rich and famous world of celebrity life. While in Los Angeles, Molly meets her spoiled half sister Brooke Berlin. However Los Angeles isn't what it seems for Molly. Celebrity life for Molly takes a while getting used to. Brooke isn't much help either, in face she just makes everything worse for her. Brooke is jealous that Molly is getting all the attention from the paparazzi and her dad, so she plans revenge on Molly.

This book was, entertaining, witty at times, laugh-out-loud funny, and easy to read. I loved how the author mixed in real Hollywood with each of the characters' own stories. It made me keep reading and kept me interested because I wanted to see how the two sisters, Molly and Brook, with two totally different personalities, would figure out a way to get along with each other. Spoiled is a funny and cute story. It was so much fun reading about Molly's and Brooke's relationship and how the kept doing these "stuff" to each other.  I really enjoyed reading about the sisters. The way Brooke always thought and tried all the stuff that would annoy Molly, while Molly herself tried to be nice to Brooke. The book started pretty good, but in the middle it was kind of slow. Spoiled got better and better towards the ending. The most interesting and funny character in this story would be Brick Berlin, the girls dad. Brick was so funny! I laughed at almost everything he said. Molly's friends were also very nice and tried to take care of her.  If you haven't read this book you should.

Reviewed by Emily R., Grade 9 Montrose Branch Library

Animal Farm, by George Orwell

In George Orwell's dystopic, political satire, animals on a fictional farm in England stage a coup d'état against the men who oppressed them, and they vow never to affliate with mankind. They create their own government where animals are all created equal. However, problems occur and tensions arise during power struggles between the pigs and the rest of the animals. The pigs abuse their power and torment the animals like their previous oppressors. As the story progresses, the animals discover that the idealistic view they strove for disappears as the chaos around them enfolds. This innovative novel explores the negative aspects of communism.

This symbolic story, written during the dawning of the Communist Revolution in Russia, is an interesting and unique book. It is a quick read, and I was very engaged by the storyline and the characters. Although it was rather slow to start, it gained momentum as it became evident that corruption and greed go hand-in-hand with power. It provoked awareness of the complexities of leadership and government, and how important it is to participate in the government. I was slightly disappointed by the conclusion because it didn't end on an up-note. Overall, I would recommend Animal Farm to anyone who's interested in politics and history.

Reviewed by Eamon P., Grade 9
Montrose Library