Monday, April 25, 2016

Death Note volume 11, by Tsugumi Ohba

In the book, Death Note volume 11, by Tsugumi OhbaLight has a lot more on his plate now handling Near and Mello, giving Mikami orders, managing both Takada and Misa along with the taskforce members. Now that Light revealed himself as Kira to Takada he must tell her about why and how he is doing all the killings. Misa becomes less and less important to Light and her presence starts to fade away. On the other hand Mikami is putting all his will and strength insanely to bring justice to as many criminals as he can. Near can wait no longer and declares to Light that they should meet face to face very soon.

Hooray! I am so excited but mostly glad that Near has decided to end his little investigations on Light, which made absolutely no progress whatsoever, and finally make plans to end the battle face to face. I like how Near says that he just doesn’t want to prove Light as Kira to arrest him as a crook, but he wants to make it vividly clear that who is more superior and right all along. Of course good old bold Light accepts this challenges to destroy Near and clear his path to build his new world.

Reviewed by Ayesha, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Death Note Vol. 5, by Tsugumi Ohba

Being stuck inside L’s prison Light is irritated and is ready to give up the ownership of the Death Note. Ryuk grants his wish and now Light’s memories of the Death Note have been vanished. Light becomes his innocent self once again and works with L, who has now become his best friend, to hunt down Kira. With Misa and Light both being freed of being involved with Death Note, who is the new Kira in Japan now? All the new victims who are facing deaths have some kind of connection going on in the business world and less involved with bringing justice for a better world.

I enjoyed going through the phase of both Light and Misa acting as their usual self, living a normal life without the evil power of Death Note running through their veins. It is very nice to see how they would live their daily lives with fun and laughter at the task force with Ryuzaki who seems to be enjoying this the most. We see how many worldwide problems can be solved when the two intrepid genius contribute. I adored how much closer as friends Light and Ryuzaki got in Death Note Vol. 5, by Tsugumi Ohba,  of the book. While Misa acts as her old self creating much laughter and happiness at the task force.

Death Note Vol 3, by Tsugumi Ohba

Light is cornered by the 64 hidden cameras and microphones which L has ordered to implant in his room. Light decides to step up his game as he puts his malicious plan to be always a step ahead of L. While L puts his life on the line as he takes one of the biggest risk in his life. Things heat up as more and more people are stirred up in the Kira case. It’s nearly impossible for the people involved to solve this troublesome case and now it’s seems that there is no way out and their old lives will never be given back to them. A harbinger of more problems appears as an anonymous second Kira appears out of the blue with threatening messages.

One of my favorite events occurs in Death Note Vol 3, by Tsugumi Ohba, while the dramatic tennis match takes place. I absolutely loved the psychological thinking went on only during a simply minor tennis match. It signified and symbolized so many things that really make one cogitate deeply. It is a sign of a gloomy foreshadow nearing. Once again the art is just extraordinary making each moment of the story more believable and realistic flowing perfectly with the atmosphere of the story. What I didn’t quite like is the idea of pulling out a second Kira. I feel like now the author is trying to fit in as much conflict as possible to keep the reader’s attention.

Reviewed by Ayesha, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Death Note, Vol 2, by Tsugumi Ohba

Now a storm of difficulties hit Light as he is tested to be qualified for this formidably malicious life as Kira. His magnificent intelligence is questioned whether he can really slip out of the fingers of the police and built his new cleansed world. On the other hand, L works for the very first time with a few detectives for the sake of this monstrous case. L is no less intelligent than Light in fact he is the only detective in the world who is capable to solve labyrinthine problems like this. Shockingly we learn more about luminary detective’s outrageously strange habits. L tests Kira’s limit by monitoring how far he’ll go to protect his crime by sending private FBI spies from America. To make things worse one of the agents has a fiancée whose clever thinking and evidence may lead to Light’s defeat. Light strives to destroy all that is against him but the question still hangs in the air, how far will he go?

Things spice up even more in the book Death Note, Vol 2, by Tsugumi Ohbaas the unique detective L is introduced with his peculiar actions. I am absolutely loving this new character who is on the same intellectual level as Light but the only difference is that Light is head to toe a perfect model while L here is simply a bizarre human with outrageous behaviors! This is where it gets exciting as the cat and mouse chase begins among Kira and L. Also, I am really enjoying how Light takes certain actions which is absolutely shocking for him to committee all for his terrifying dream of creating a new world with the Death Note.

Reviewed by Ayesha, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Death Note - Volume 7, by Tsugumi Ohba

In the book Death Note - Volume 7, by Tsugumi Ohbaas the capture of the newest Kira draws an end the entire taskforce gets a clear view of a monstrous looking Shinigami, Rem. They finally learn the method of how the killing took place. With no one owning the position of Kira, Light’s plan fall perfectly in place and he gains all of his memories. We take a deeper look at what exactly happened before Light decided to turn himself in out of the blue. The malicious Light returns once again with his outrageous plan to create his new world. This time a jaw dropping event takes place making a bold statement that Light Yagami has truly surpassed the best of mankind and even Shinigamis.

This volume of the book is overall mostly a return of Death Note’s psychologically brilliant actions. I am amazed at how Light sewed up his flawless plan which we get to see in the flashback. Aside from all the terrific things that went on in this volume, I am drowned in depression after the heartbreaking tragedy that occurs in this depressing book. Words are not enough to describe the great deal of emotions and tears I shed after finishing the reading. With a tremendous amount of trauma and shock I had to pause my reading of Death Note and really take a moment to ease my sorrow.

Reviewed by Ayesha, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Monday, April 18, 2016

Hitler: A Study in Tyranny, by Alan Bullock

Hitler: A Study in Tyranny, by Alan Bullock, is a, extraordinary well-documented and detailed look at events leading up the power of the world famous dictator Adolf Hitler. Bullock hits a home run with writing the masterpiece of Hitler’s life because he accomplishes to really bring out a lot more of Hitler’s past to fill in the gaps as well as showing how a miserable childhood later affected him and the entire world. Another accomplishment Bullock makes with Hitler’s biography is by remarkably explaining how preciously his later ideas and behavior were prefigured in his early years.

One of the reasons why this book will surely snatch the reader’s attention is because Bullock handles to bring out Hitler’s past with a sense of anticipation and drama. He also proves that what today’s world accepts as "facts" about Adolf Hitler is full of inconsistencies and assumption. Indeed he does prove numerous of our assumptions wrong. Although this is my first book reading about the powerful leader, I still have to say it is by far the best ever written biography about him. In order to make understanding of his formidably horrifying actions, one must look into his past and see him as an individual and his nature as a human being.“He was not cut out to be a painter. But Hitler refused to admit defeat” . It was heartbreaking to read about the poor child getting rejected twice from becoming an artist of his dreams. On top of that, life with his family wasn’t any pleasing with a dominating father in a crowded house. Indeed Hitler was a gifted young man, but his society never realized that.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library

Monday, April 11, 2016

My Life Next Door, by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door, by Huntley Fitzpatrick, is a story about a girl who has looked out her window to see her neighbors, The Garrets, they are everything she always wanted in her family. They are crazy, fun, and affectionate towards one another. The Garrets aren't really respected in there community and are looked down upon because the many children in the house and the mess that is always left in there front yard. She cant help but look at them every night to see what fun thing they are doing now. One day she meets one of the boys in the family and she ends up being part of the family she always admired from afar. What will happen in the end? Will she take her families side or the garrets side?

This is one of the cutest books I have ever read. The main character is very relatable and you feel for her struggles and are happy when good things happen to her. If they came out with a sequal to this book I would read it. The Garrets were so hectic and loving that I wish I knew them. I wanted to be part of their family and hang out with them. All the family member are very likeable. You will get attached to each one when you read this book. I would recommend this book to someone who just wants a fun read that will make you laugh and love the relationship in this book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Mia J., Grade 12
Glendale Central Library

Monday, April 4, 2016

Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth, by Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi * NOT IN LIBRARY SYSTEM*

Reading this book was worth investing my time due to how smoothly Gandhi blends us into the exploration of his life. Gandhi’s point of view and his tone of writing to present to us how he felt was absolutely marvelous. The preeminent leader’s bold passionate of love and nonviolence really is spotted when one horrifying incident occurs in a village during a corrupt time. From among his search of truth what I found most fascinating is how he sets the audience free to agree or disagree with his actions and conclusions. All these factors lead up to this incredible book Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth which once again reminds us of how the legacy of the great revolutionary leader Gandhi portrayed a nonviolent and purified life to inspire the future.

Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth, by Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhiis truly an inspiration for all ages because of the depth thinking Gandhi shares among all the readers. As a child, we were expected to know about Gandhi, and when I did learn I thought I understood who he was. But after reading this book I came to understanding of how little I knew about him. My most enjoyed the parts was where he mentions how his life outside politics was like with the guiding of Bhagavad Gita. In all, it was splendid in depth view of his struggling life while desperately trying to lead his nation to break free from the English tyranny.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 10
Glendale Central Library