Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Hunt for Atlantis, by Andy McDermott


Ten years after her parents were killed while they were searching for the lost city of Atlantis, archaeologist Nina Wilde decides to continue the search where her parents left off. She believes that she has a good idea where the city is located and wants to prove it. The university where she teaches refuses to fund the expedition however. Billionaire Kristian Frost offers to fund everything however, even giving her two of his own bodyguards, one of them being Eddie Chase, ex SAS officer. The billionaire’s own daughter is also sent to help her. As they travel around the world hunting from clue to clue, they encounter threats and unexpected obstacles. It’s obvious that someone, or something, is trying to kill them. Luckily Eddie is there to save her every time.

This is the first book in the Nine Wilde and Eddie Chase series. Hunt for Atlantis, by Andy McDermott, is a fast paced adventure with some unexpected twists along the way. The book is well written and keep me engrossed in the story from start to finish. I loved the mix of action, adventure and history. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes a good action mystery. If you like this book you will love the rest of the series.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Stoneheart, by Charlie Fletcher

While he is on a trip to the museum, twelve year old George breaks off by accident the head of a stone dragon that is on the wall. Suddenly he is being chased by a prehistoric pterodactyl that has come to life. He learns that he has been sent into another world where statues come to life. He is told by a talking statue called Gunner that by being in their world he has started a war between good statues and evil carvings. With help from another girl called Edie, he looks for answers on what happened.


Stoneheart, by Charlie Fletcher, is a great fantasy book full of gargoyles and live statues. The story is fast paced and filled with action. There were some unexpected parts along the way which I liked. It was a bit difficult to follow and may not be the best for a younger reader.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

What I Thought Was True, by Huntley Fitzpatrick

What I Thought Was True, by Huntley Fitzpatrick,  is about seventeen year-old Gwen Castle who lives on Seashell Island in New England. In the summer, she gets a job as a caretaker of an old woman, and her ex, Cassidy Somers, is the new yard boy on the island. Cassidy is from across the bridge, where the rich, spoiled kids live, and Gwen's family are the housekeepers that maintain the island for the summer guests. With Cass in town, added pressure with her father and her special needs brother Emory, and secrets flying about her friends, Gwen is sure to have one unforgettable summer.

Overall, this book was pretty good. It was very well-written, although it became boring at times. It seemed like a typical teenage novel, with romance and a lot of drama with friends, boys, and in the family. It reminded me of the author Sarah Dessen because of the predictable plot and familiar characters. I would rate it a 7 out of 10 and I would recommend it to teenage girls who enjoy cute, romantic stories and dramas.

Reviewed by Rebecca S., Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Monday, January 19, 2015

Tiger's Curse, by Colleen Houck


17 year old Kelsey Hayes finds herself drawn to a mysterious white tiger. Ren and his brother Kishan had been cursed to become a tiger over 300 years ago. Until Kelsey came along they weren't able to change back into human form. Kelsey finds herself in India with two princes trying to break an ancient curse that will give back the princes' humanity.

I really enjoyed the Tiger's Curse, by  Colleen Houck, novel because it included a little bit of every genre, romance, action, fantasy, and humor. I recommend this book for people of all ages. One of my favorite quotes was
“He then put both hands on the door on either side of my head and leaned in close, pinning me against it. I trembled like a downy rabbit caught in the clutches of a wolf. The wolf came closer. He bent his head and began nuzzling my cheek. The problem was…I wanted the wolf to devour me.” I liked this quote because it was one of the scenes that got me squealing and cheering. The author did a really great job on organizing each character's traits and personalities. "Tiger's Curse" is one of those books that will keep you up all night reading, as it did to me.

Reviewed by Anet P., Grade 10
Glendale Central Library 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Still Life with Rice by Helie Lee


Still Life With Rice is a book by Helie Lee, a Korean American teenager. The book takes place in Southeast Asia, during the Cold War, a time of great tension between the democratic allies and the communist USSR. The book is told from Lee’s grandmother’s, Hongyong’s perspective. The author is very meticulous-- she describes many events in great detail, so the reader can really understand the hindrances and impediments the family had to overcome. The story takes place during the a very hard time for the people of Korea, China, and Japan. History is not the only thing Lee incorporates into her book. She tells interesting stories from her grandmother’s childhood, stories of her aunts and other family members. The book is a great source from which the reader will be able to learn the Korean and Chinese customs and traditions, which are meticulously described. Even though the first chapter of the book is weak and boring, the rest of the book captures the reader.

When reading the book, I thought about the hard times during the Cold War, and felt sorry for some of the innocent people who died. I also learned about the life in Southeast Asia, some of the people's beliefs and customs.

Overall, Still Life With Rice is a great book; I recommend it to anyone who would like to learn some history, traditions, and the daily life routine in Southeast Asia. The only people I do not recommend the book to are the ones who feel uncomfortable reading sexual scenes (the book has quite a few of them).


Reviewed by Henry G., Grade 11
Pacific Park Library

Monday, January 12, 2015

Three Cups Of Tea : One Mans Mission To Promote Peace … One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson


When you read books about changes in the world, there never as close to inspiring to this one. In this book we follow the journey of Greg Mortenson who happens to be a homeless mountaineer was inspired to build schools after an adventure that changed the way he looked at life. The day he decided to climb Pamstan treachous k2 he had an encounter with villagers from there and the conversation led him to make a promise to build them a school. Through out the decade he ended up building fifty – five schools trying to specialize in including girls.

Three Cups Of Tea : One Mans Mission To Promote Peace … One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson, made me want to get up and do something good for the world, to try to make some change to this world for the better. World peace is something that is talked about more and more often now a day we all forget that it isn’t that hard to make a small difference to the world. We might not find the cure for cancer but we able to have the power to change someone’s life. We don’t need to have a lot of money to change the world. I would recommend this book for the person who loves doing things for other people its a great motivational story.

Reviewed by Marta R., Grade 12
Glendale Central Library

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

#Girlboss, by Sophia Amoruso


We follow the journey of Sophia Amorous the C.E.O of the company Nasty Gal. She goes through everything she went through to get to where she is now. She did not start as easy as selling fashion online but she started out by selling a stolen book online. As a teenager she was far from career focused she was hitch hiking, committing petty theft, and also dumpster diving. She finally got a 9-5 job but she did not enjoy it as much as she would think. She was in it mostly for the health insurance but it was not enough for her. Then she decided to start to sell clothing on E-Bay and how did that lead her to a $250 Million Retail Empire.

#Girlboss, by Sophia Amoruso, is great for the person who wants to be motivated it shows it does not matter what background you come from if you put your mind to it you can make a difference. She changed the standard cookie cutter image of what you would think of a C.E.O. She had many jobs some jobs that seem like she wanted to find a bad job. She didn't go to college but that did not stop her she changed the definition of being successful.

Reviewed by Marta R., Grade 12
Glendale Central Library

Monday, January 5, 2015

Shadowlands, by Kate Brian

Rory miller was an average teenager with an average life, until the notorious serial killer, Steven Nell, attacked her. Rory must enter the witness protection program with her sister Darcy and her father. She is forced to leave the house where so many memories were made as a child and leave her friends behind.  Her family moves to an isolated vacation island called Juniper Landing. The sisters haven’t gotten along as well as they had used to but once they find new friends and get used to their new lifestyle, they slowly become the close sisters they once were.  Just as the girls began to feel comfortable with their surroundings, one of their friends goes missing which raises some questions in Rory and her family’s minds. Is Steven Nell back? Are we in danger?  Will Rory be able to pick up the pieces after her normal life was violently ripped away from her or will her nightmare begin all over again.

The book, Shadowlands, by Kate Brian, was in my opinion, a very well written book with many twists and turns as soon as you turned the page. It constantly kept me guessing about what was going to happen next. The author did a tremendous job of keeping the readers guessing until the very last page. I went into this book with expectations of a standard serial killer thriller plot, and came out with, actually, I don't know how to describe what Shadowlands is without spoiling the ending - a bizarre twisty mind-bender? I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes mystery,drama, and scandals.

Reviewed by Elise B., grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch

Saturday, January 3, 2015

With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, by E.B. Sledge


U.S. Marine Eugene Sledge is launched into the chaos of World War Two, testing his strength, his wits, and his morals against the Imperial Japanese Army. Along with his fellow warriors, Sledge must comprehend the morality of the gruesome enemy, while often questioning his own. In a novel that tells of the troubles of a common World War Two Marine comes the deepest sentiment that has never before been told. Surpassing the romanticized story of combat, with glory and honor held higher than true, "With the Old Breed" is sure to shoot and hit past expectations.

Beautifully written and extravagantly composed, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, by E.B. Sledge, is the epitome of what war-fighting brings to a man. Author E.B. Sledge brings his experiences from the scorching hot rocks of Peleliu and the miserably damp terrain of Okinawa to put together a true story of camaraderie, courage, and capability. Not the common war story, the novel encompasses all that is hell, heaven, and everything in between. It is the definition of a genuine story of war. The book is recommended for mature readers in high school and above, as Sledge becomes very descriptive of the gore and brutality that surrounded him in the Pacific theater of war. Vocabulary is of collegiate level, and the story-telling is of beyond.

Reviewed by Eric, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library