Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro  might be a science fiction novel or a love story, or it may be both. It revolves around the life of Kath, who spent her childhood until she was 16 in an exclusive "boarding school" in England with her friends Ruth and Tommy. The three grow up together and as they grow older discover more things about the place they live in and why they live in it. Though the novel is disturbing and very sad, it conveys a larger message.

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed every page thoroughly and thought the ending was rather magnificent. The author's style was so intricate and complicated, yet in actuality very simple and understandable. I can't begin to think of how much he must have understood his subject before he wrote about it. Great novel, great ending, great read. I would recommend it to readers in high school and older.


Reviewed by Anonymous, grade 11
Pacific Park Library

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger

In this novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger,  Henry Detamble is introduced as a man with an extraordinary ability to time travel. His travels are spontaneous and most often cause him a lot of trouble. The story revolves around the romance between Henry and Clare, a girl Henry has known for very long and under strange pretense. The novel follows their troubles and their joys, imparting a powerful message at the end about the fleetingness of time.

I loved this book very, very much. It was rich with detail, and he way the chapters were laid out in such a disorderly fashion was confusing at first but I found it to be great choice by the author. I was intrigued and always left wanting more. I don't remember putting this book down. I would recommend this to teens and older audiences.

Reviewed by Anonymous, grade 11
Pacific Park Library

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Paper Towns, by John Green

In Paper Towns, by John Green, the main character Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. One night, she climbs through Quentin's bedroom window and asks him to join her on an adventure. After a night full of action, Quentin does not see Margo for weeks. Driven by his love and the promise of adventure, he sets out to find her- and so begins a journey that changes him forever.

This book is great for teens. I liked it, though at times it was a bit cheesy for me. The book did speak a lot of truth, though. People are not always who you make them out to be in your mind, and it is disappointing to realize this. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read. 

Reviewed by Anonymous, grade 11
Pacific Park Library

Monday, April 21, 2014

The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan

This book starts off the Heroes of Olympus series, which caught my interest. It starts off as Jason wakes up in a bus not knowing how he got there or who he is. He is sitting next to a girl, whose name he finds out is Piper, who claims they are a couple. To make things worse, a boy who is sitting on the bus as well, whose name is Leo, claims that he is Jason's best friend! Jason realizes that they are taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, and that this is a summer camp. Though things turn upside-down when they are attacked at the canyon and are taken to camp half-blood and told they are demigods. Now they must go on a journey to save the queen of the gods, Hera.


In my opinion, The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, starts off very well by introducing the characters and getting to the plot in a fast and simple style. Jason not only has to remember who he is and where he is but also has to go on a journey with two people who he barely knows and save the queen of the gods. This book caught my attention because I have a great interest in roman and Greek mythology, and that I had already read the Percy Jackson series. It starts the Heroes of Olympus series very nicely with the bonding of the characters and quest to find out who Jason really is, which keeps you wondering the whole story.

Reviewed by Arvin O., grade 9

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The Secrets of Boys, by Hailey Abbott

http://catalog.gpl.internal/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13R1559E10E50.61418&profile=gcent&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!676803~!6&ri=7&aspect=browse_search_page&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Abbott,+Hailey&index=PAUTHOR&uindex=&aspect=browse_search_page&menu=search&ri=7#focusIn the book, The Secrets of Boys, by Hailey Abbott, Cassidy Jones has her summer all planned out; she and her BFF, Larissa, have jobs lined up at a super-trendy clothing boutique and her gorgeous, surfer boyfriend, Eric, wants her to spend time in the sand with him. Sadly, her ultra-organized and goal-oriented parents have decided she should spend her summer in an intensive language program at a university.

Can I just say how cute and romantic this book is? This book definitely will interest teenage girls. It has a plot that we can relate to and it never gets boring. It's also super easy to read. It's not one of those books that keeps you thinking for hours after you read it, but it still has a meaning. SPOILER ALERT There is this HOT TA that all girls will fall in love with while reading a description about him. Just Saying.

Reviewed by Iren H., grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Physics of the Impossible, by Michio Kaku

A truly revolutionary way of explaining the world of the impossible and letting us in on when our space fantasy of the future will arrive, Michio Kaku did the absolute best job of explaining the things that we only dream of. Physics of the Impossible classifies the impossibilities in three categories: class 1, which is in the near future, class 2, which are the impossibilities that will most likely show up in a century, and class 3 impossibilities, ones that might never be possible with the standard laws of physics. Taking us through time travel, parallel universes, speed of light travel, and force fields, it excites the reader of what the potential of physics really are.

As a physics enthusiast, I was one to love this book. It had exactly what I was looking for, an easy yet advanced foresight into the laws of physics and what can be done and what can't be done. Yet one very important thing I learned from this book was that, anything truly is possible, all that has to happen is a change in the laws of physics. It is really exciting to think that one day humanity will evolve into one that can be what only Hollywood movies are today. The potential of Physics is limitless when there are great minds to resolve these problems that we run into today.

Reviewed by: Arvin O., grade 9
Glendale Central Library

The Accidental Tourist, by Anne Tyler

Summary: Macon Leary is the protagonist in Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist. He and his soon to be ex wife are dealing with the recent death of their son, Ethan who was killed at his summer camp. Their loss puts a huge strain on their marriage, making them realize just how different they are, and helps cause their divorce. When Sarah leaves him, Macon takes his dog, Edward, to be trained by Muriel, who is a peculiar woman. During their training sessions, they get to know each other better and start going out. Macon is now stuck between two women. Should he choose his ex-wife who he's spent most of his life with or does he choose Muriel who has taught him to be more carefree?

Opinion: The Accidental Tourist was a very interesting book. I liked the way the author portrays Macon. Over time you grow to be attached to him and you can't help but feel sorry for him and his ways. There were some points in the book where it was hard to get through, especially in the descriptive parts. But when it's two characters just talking to each other like regular dialogue, it's addicting to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes love stories such as these. If you like Nicholas Sparks' novels you'll probably like this book as well.

Reviewed by Nayri T., grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library

Inhuman Remains, by Quintin Jardine

http://catalog.gpl.internal/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13929Q09HJ640.20962&profile=gcent&uri=link=3100007~!1042341~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=browse_search_page&menu=search&ri=3&source=~!horizon&term=Inhuman+remains+%3A+a+Primavera+Blackstone+mystery+%2F&index=PALLTI#focusPrimavera Blackstone is a single mother living with her son after her husband died. Primavera had traumatic experiences in her past that make her very protective and attached to her son, Tom. Knowing she was a private investigator before, she gets pulled into a dangerous adventure by her Aunt Adrienne when she asks her to help her find her son, Frank. She finds him and finds out that he was into some shady business but Adrienne gets kidnapped and now they have to try to find her and save her in time before she is killed. As they try to make their way back to her, they encounter many difficulties and face a lot of danger. In the end, they may be too late to save her or themselves when they get into trouble.

I thought that Inhuman Remains, by Quintin Jardine, was a great book. It was mysterious and suspenseful at times. I also liked how the characters had an interesting background that was used to develop the story. The events that happened are also dramatic and they made me want to keep reading to find out what happened. I think many teenagers would enjoy reading it because it is an exciting book about adventure and crime. It made me think about the events that happened in the beginning of the book because of the twists and turns the plot had. Overall I thought that this book was exciting and I would recommend it to teenagers and above because there was some content that is unsuitable for younger readers. 

Reviewed by Kaylee, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch