Saturday, September 30, 2017

The Book Whisperer, by Donalyn Miller

The Book Whisperer, by Donalyn Miller, who is a sixth grade teacher in Texas with a great passion in “awakening the inner reader in every child.” Miller’s book focuses on tactics to inspire students to read a lot more than they themselves ever imagined. She wrote this book to not only inspire other struggling instructors but also to help her own class thrive in reading. This book is rich with practical classroom activities and advises that will surely help teacher in all grades.

The Book Whisperer is a great book to rekindle the passion to once again fill our lives with books just like a child. The story of Miller’s great enthusiasm for books since she was only a child is inspiring and captivating. Miller successfully persuades the audience to enhance their relationship with books. I enjoyed reading this lighthearted book because of Miller’s caring assurance that it is still not too late to go back to reading. I would recommend this relaxing book to all audience but especially to teachers.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library

Monday, September 18, 2017

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

King Gaius now rules the three kingdoms, naming it Mytica as it was called before split into three kingdoms. But, now he aims for another great goal. More power. Actually immortality. He has forced poor people of Paelsia to build an Imperial Road. No one really knows why the king wants this road to be build and what for except King Gaius and the immortal watcher called Melenia who has been visiting him plenty of times in his dreams. According to Melenia, the road leads to the Kindred and the four of them can be located by the princess of Limeros, Lucia. Ruling all of Mytica was never enough for him anymore, all he wants now is immortality. Meanwhile, after capturing Auranos, killing the king of Auranos, the father of Cleo, he forces his son, Magnus to marry the princess only for showing the people of Auranos that he's treating their princess fair and she's safe. Cleor still hates Magnus for the tragedy happened in the past. He was the one who killed her beloved one, her only true love right in front of her eyes meanwhile she couldn't save him, she couldn't do anything for Theon. Cleo is sure that she'll get her revenge from all of them. She promised her father to take back her kingdom. All she needed was patience and perfect time, also power. Meanwhile, Jonas has been trying to save his people from the cruelty of King of Blood. He and his friend start leading a rebellion with a girl who they meet later while searching for more rebels to join them. Lysandra was her name and she was a good warrior. She hasn't seen her brother since he has been taken away for the construction of the road. That was why she decided to join Jonas and Brion, Jonas's friend. However, for the most of the time they keep failing and losing more and more of their men each time. Furthermore, at the castle, Lucia has been in a coma since she used her magic for the war. However, Queen Althea, the mother of Magnus and the wife of King Gaius, has kept her in coma for a longer time by using a potion, keeping her asleep without anyone knowing about it. While Lucia is in come, a handsome watcher who's older than her visits her in her dreams many times. His name is Alexius. Unfortunately, he is forced by Melenia to make Lucia fall in love with him so she can use her magic for her own aim.

As you can see, Rebel Spring is the second book of Falling Kingdoms series. The first book caused me to continue the story so I decided reading its second book. I believe more interesting moments happen in this book. I was more shocked, and surprised. I lived with the characters deeper than I did for the first book. I could feel more hatred, love, passion for the power, and fear. I liked this book for how the author arranged the chapters, and the storyline. What I really didn't like about this book was that King Gaius having the power and poor Cleo had to deal with it. However, this story is more like a reality than a happy endings fairy tales and that is why it has made it more interesting. This books is mostly great for teenagers and young adults. This book is awesome for those who love warriors, wars, archery, and kingdoms. After I finished this book, I was left in shocked and surprised, I couldn't wait anymore to borrow the third book from the library. I really recommend this book since it's full of adventures, willing for more power, hatred, love, passion, and fear. The Falling Kingdoms series has been one of my favorite nonfiction books I've ever read.

Reviewed by Orkideh Grade 12

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Attack on Titan, by Hajime Isayama


After the appearance of Titans, Humanity was left to hide behind the walls of the last human stronghold where they would know peace for 100 years. But Titans, the enormous humanoids that live only to kill and eat humans, have finally broken into the city and threatened humanity's existence once again.

Attack on Titan, by  Hajime Isayamais a very intriguing read, never really giving the reader a full explanation, but enough to understand what is happening. From the beginning, we are thrown into the action with no lengthy introduction. Mysteries are presented to us left and right, making us really read between the lines. This method of story-telling leaves the reader engrossed in revealing all the secrets there are to not only the story presented, but to the world and its lore. Not all of the characters are believable or relatable, but the twists this series presents to us more than makes up for it.

Reviewed by Matty, Grade 12
Montrose LIbrary

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

A Treasure Concealed, by Tracie Peterson

In the book A Treasure Concealed, by Tracie Perterson, among an 1890 Montana backdrop, protagonist Emily Carver is introduced as a kind-hearted yet willful pioneer daughter who solely yearns for settling. She'd much prefer a home where she can establish herself rather than tagging along her overly-ambitious, gold-mining father. His only goal in life is to strike it rich, although this never seems to happen. Growing up was never easy in the mining camps, yet it proves to be increasingly tasking as she develops a feminine form in the midst of many single, old men. She conceals herself with many unflattering layers of clothing when in public. Hopping from one camp to another, she dreams of a different sort of affection her sickly mother and her father are not able to provide. It seems as if Emily will never be able to fulfill her mother's final wish for her to marry. This is the case until a well-to-do visitor comes to her minuscule town. The man is strikingly rich and strikingly handsome. Emily guards herself fearing the worse yet the attraction is unavoidable as the man proves to be both humble, helpful, and benevolent. However, she comes to the realization that falling for the newcomer of the camp will prove harder to fight than she ever imagined, in fear that she will end up with a broken heart. 

A second voice, Caeden Thibault, is a young geologist under the mandate of the government to catalog the minerals native to Montana. The brooding young man runs into Mr. Carver by chance as the two characters' lives cross paths. Both men are courteous to each other from the beginning to the end, which rewards the both of them. Throughout his stay, he avoids listening to his heart, in an attempt to escape the pain of his past. He's afraid that creating any bonds will prove to have the same end as his late, abusive, alcoholic father. Yet, something unexpected about Emily Carver has rendered him unable to silence his heart. So, Caeden finds himself doing anything to try to understand why. He lends a hand to the needy and seems to be unable to peel himself away from the small town. Two external conflicts play out as the Carver family have a need to strike it rich and Caeden needs to get the pestering past from back home off his shoulders. Will a fiance and some debt back home cause rifts in a budding relationship...?
If you are in search of a quick, sappy, and historical read, this book is for you. If you are, however, more inclined towards a deeper and more meaningful piece of literature, I would not recommend this novel. This simplistic story could quite simply be trying to mimic the ordinary lifestyle of the pioneering America we are immersed in throughout this read. Clichés galore, the language implemented in this book is far from substantial, I daresay elementary. Nevertheless, if you are interested in something light-hearted this may be your cup of tea. Do beware that the majority of all of the climactic events in the story will occur quite rapidly. This is the case so much so that you tend to have to re-read certain passages just to understand what happened in that one paragraph. In contrast, the rest of the book is filled with lengthy, detailed explanations, descriptions, and internal monologue. I have to say, the imagery in this book painted a complete picture for the reader to envision. Your imagination is able to soar to the dusty, Montana landscape the author wants you to find yourself in as well us feel the smothering heat, perspiration, layers of clothes, whatnot... Character development is pleasantly consistent as the good guys remain the good guys that they are and the bad guys remain the slimeballs that they are. In turn, the two main characters are dynamic enough from beginning to end for the story to be interesting. It is important to note that the characters in this novel cope by means of giving each other religious advice and speaking of God and the gospel. Hence, this is a book primarily geared towards a Christian audience. If you fit into that category, it is quite pleasant to stumble upon a faith oriented story. The resolution was incredibly hasty to be believable, but that is what is to be predicted. Problems that were quite large, under the circumstances, were resolved in a hurried fashion. I know that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but, in the edition I checked out, the woman whose picture is featured on the cover looks absolutely nothing like the description of the main character. I'd prefer continuity rather than being misled. The plot was simple and executed in an okay manner with guarded characters eventually opening up to each other. In that regard, I'd say it is pretty deserving of three stars.
Reviewed by Alexis, K., Grade 11
Montrose Library

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, by Morgan Matson

Amy Curry is no where near enthused by the summer that lay ahead of her. Little did she know it would be one of the most memorable summers of her life. Her mother decided it would be helpful to move across the country from California to Connecticut. She gives the responsibility of driving their car cross-country to Amy. However, there is one problem: due to her father's death caused by a car accident, she is not at the psychological capability to drive. That is when Mrs. Curry ensues the help of her friend's son, the strikingly handsome Roger, who Amy can't seem to remember from her childhood. The road forces both Amy and Roger, who has a problematic past of his own, to venture into both figurative and literal uncharted territory.

This has to be, by far, the best road trip book I've ever read. It's a good thing I read it right before going on a road trip of my own because it got me incredibly excited to be in an eight hour car road. But eight hours are only a fraction of the adventure Amy and Roger's trip takes you on. The reader truly experiences the road trip and the growing relationship across America as they flip the pages of this book. The scrapbook style elements incorporated among st the pages gives you the feeling that you are alongside the duo on their trip complete with receipts, brochures, menus, song lists, etc. This medium-length novel, Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, by Morgan Matson, is pretty close to a five star summer read. I recommend this to all YA readers. Its dynamic and lovable characters will capture your heart.

Reviewed by Alexis K., Grade 11

Montrose Library