Wicked by Sara Shepard

"He had to go. -A" In the book Wicked by Sara Shepard, things get even more intense and interesting as A begins giving threats and information that no one would expect. Spencer believes shes adopted, Aria is still dealing with her parents divorce, Emily is back from her aunt and uncles and wants to make changes in her life but is still confused, and Hanna is having trouble with her stepsister. Worst of all, Ian comes back and starts drama and trouble. What will the girls do when they find out who killed Ali and the consequences? This book is for girls that are interested in drama and mystery. Especially if you are into the series, you won't want to miss out.

Allison

Next by Michael Crichton

“Mr. Bellarmino, sir, this is bigger than us…”

In the light of the new genetic engineering boom in the US and worldwide, many people are reaping the benefits of taking risks, but many are also in serious trouble. In the novel, Next by Michael Crichton, you see the fine line between right and wrong when it comes to toying with the human nature. This fast paced book follows many different stories of people’s experiences with the new world, where you can own 1/5 of someone’s genes, creating transgenic animals, and the corporate industry trying to compete in the business of life itself (Umbrella Corp). All of these side stories eventually link to a central storyline, in which a woman and her son who have inherited a cytokine gene from their father (who sold the rights to the gene) are chased cross country for “the company’s” cells by a notorious fugitive recovery agent.

This is definitely a great book. It has a multi-layered, dynamic, fast-paced plot that makes you have time for one more chapter. Also, it is a very complex book (which, for me, required a few trips to wikipedia), for if you’re looking for an easy, quick read, this isn’t for you. This book also contains a great amount of course language and sexual themes so it is definitely a better book for Freshmen and up.

-Guyar

Stormbreaker: Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider a 14 year old by who loses his uncle, Ian Rider who was in a “car crash.” Alex was suspicious, “He always wore his seat belt,” he thought about his uncle. Alex goes on adventures to see what actually happened to his uncle. He then finds out his uncle was a spy and is asked to take Ian’s mission. After he accepts, he has to train for this dangerous mission in much less time than is needed. On the mission, he follows his uncle’s footsteps to try and stop Sayle Enterprises from making a new and advanced computer called a Stormbreaker. He finds out what is wrong and how he is going to stop this dangerous computer from being given to people all over the world. He knows he has to do this for his uncle, but he gets himself into many tough situations… This book is very suspenseful and a will keep you reading all night. If you are into thrillers you will love this story.

-Zack

Charlie St. Cloud, By: Ben Sherwood

In Ben Sherwoods' page-turning book Charlie St. Cloud, Charlie faces many hard challenges after a traumatic incident. Living on his own, Charlie does the same thing every day, Dig holes for caskets, make floral arrangements, and lowers the deceased into the ground. Charlie worked at the Waterside Cemetery in Essex County. All Charlie wanted in life was to be happy and make sure he kept his promise to his little brother Sam. "- I promised Sam I wouldn't leave him." After Charlie had made that promise, Charlie could never leave his side. He stayed with him, until Tess Carroll wandered into his life. Charlie knew that Tess was special. Their love bonding relationship leads them into a race against time and fate. Ben Sherwood made this book intriguing and exciting. This book had me on the edge. You never know what is going to happen next. Teens and adults will fall in love with this book because it has many types of genres, such as, love, happiness, finding oneself, tragedy, and motivational speaking. Definitely a book worth reading.
Lauren

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

In the book, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, the main character Todd Hewitt goes on a long and suspenseful journey with his dog Manchee and a girl named Viola, who he found in the swamp next to his house. He lives on the planet called New World, where there is a natural occurring phenomenon that allows you to hear the thoughts of any man or animal around you, but women have a distinct silence to their thoughts. There are no women in his village, except for Viola, but no one else she knows that she is there. Todd is forced to run a way from his village with his dog and the mysterious girl Viola, after the town officials come to talk to him and his guardians Ben and Cillian, and they tell him to run. His journey lasts very long and he visits many towns that he did not even know existed. But he was always on the run because his entire village was following him and pillaging all of the other small towns that they passed. Todd and Viola’s goal is to get to a city called Haven, but they need to follow many twists and turns in order to get there. This was a fairly good book, the whole idea of noise, which is the idea that you can hear everything that men and animals are saying, is very strange, yet clever. “Flesh and feast and tooth and I swear it’s getting closer,” (59) says the crocodile that is approaching them. Every time Todd thinks in his head Viola can hear him so it’s impossible to keep a secret. The setting moves around a lot since they are always town to town. The pace is good, but it gets fairly slow at times. I would recommend this book to someone who has a lot of time on their hands. People that like action and fantasy would love this book.

In the book Sojourn, by R.A Salvatore the character Drizzt is a dark elf (drow) who has left his race in search of the surface world. In the first two books you notice how lost Drizzt is with his people way of life. The blood shed, was to much for him. On his adventure to seek out kindness and friendship, he meet many interesting creatures. Finally venturing to the surface world after many emotional events. This book was about his first year on the surface world. He meets a great friend named, Montolio. Montolio is a blind surface elf, being blind doesn't limit him at all though. “Or is the blindness, perhaps, a ruse, a deception you use to gain the advantage.” This book being based in a fantasy world with weird creatures living alone side humans. This does flip though though from on event to another, during the same time period. Almost like a movie. If you don't like that kind of thing then this is not for you. This book would be great for you, if you like fantasy, adventure and big battles. Enjoy!

Zavier

Hyperspace, By Michio Kaku

Composed by the well known physicist Michio Kaku, Hyperspace gives the common reader a glimpse into the world of higher dimensions, the string theory, and parallel universes. The book begins with Kaku explaining that individuals, communities and even our world may not realize what else is going on around them, oblivious to what is outside their home. He tells of a time when he was little, looking at a pond of fish. By thinking of life from the fish’s point of view, he realized that to the fish, it's entire world was the quaint fountain it resided in. The fish had no knowledge of what was above, and believed that everything that everything that ever was or will be was in that small pond. If a fish was pulled from the pond, to the other fish, he would have simply disappeared. Kaku then talks about multiple theories in quantum mechanics and physics, ranging from realistic to borderline chimerical. Some of these ideas, such as a hypercube, the equivalent of a cube in the fourth dimension, are supported by evidence and studies, while others are completely predictions. Some people may doubt the ideas, but the book will be captivating and hard to put down. While some parts of the book may be confusing, it is generally at a level where most open-minded readers can understand. Even though readers interested in science may enjoy this book more, many people may discover a new interest in physics opposed to their feelings before. This non-fiction masterpiece is highly recommended for people who want to read a book that amazes one on every page, and inspires people to begin a new interest.

-Henry

Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz

Scorpia, by Anthony Horowitz, is a book of action and betrayal. It is the 5^th book in the Alex Rider series and it is a great one. When Alex goes to Venice with his friend Tom, Tom does not know that Alex is there partly because of his secret life. When Yassen said that Scorpia, an international criminal organization, knew his long lost father, Alex had tracked them down into Venice. It was not long before Scorpia got a hold of Alex and made him turn on MI6. Will Alex work with Scorpia and become an assassin, like his father? Or will he work against Scorpia? It soon becomes a mess when Scorpia reveals its next plan that endangers thousands of school kids. “I want to join Scorpia,” He said.” Will Alex be able to save the children? Or will Scorpia prove too powerful once again?

This book is a must-read. It is a great book for people that like action/spy novels. It is a great page turner and will make you want to read the next book in this series, Archangel.

Dune, by Frank Herbert

The best selling science fiction novel of all time is Dune, by Frank Herbert. It describes the coming to power of the prophet Maud’dib, also known as Paul. When his father’s ducal lands are reassigned to be those of the planet Dune, Paul is forced into a new world with an extreme environment and bitter rival houses. The people of Dune have created unique and inventive ways to cope with their dry environment because “Everywhere you turn... you’re involved with the lack of water. From the Fremen and the monstrous sandworms of the desert to the highly addictive spice, Dune is a world of mystery and adventure.
This book is a must-read! It is a great book, even if there are a lot of new and strange names in the first few chapters. It has a very unique plot and keeps readers engaged and on their toes. Also, this book is heavily alluded to in a variety of places. It is always exciting to recognize the name of something from Dune in everyday life. Dune is a book that is great for everyone who likes fantasy and adventure. You do not necessarily need to appreciate science fiction to enjoy this book.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

At the end of Twilight Bella Swan is at a birthday day party with her vampire boyfriend Eward Cullen and his vampire clan which has sworn themselves off of human blood. When Bella accidentally cuts her finger and starts to bleed this event forces the Cullens to move away because Eward realizes he is putting Bella in a lot of danger he tells her “ I promise that this will be the last time you’ll see me” (71). I really liked New Moon its more action packed then Twilight was. If you like adventure and Romance you will like this book.

Kindred by: Octavia Butler

In the novel, Kindred, by Octavian Butler, the main character Dana time travels to the Antebellum South era. This time period of slavery was dangerous for any black male or female, including Dana. Her time travels continue to occur at random times, and she later discovers that she is being called back whenever her, “ancestors” are in need of help. With her experience of living the life of a slave, her journey’s to constantly rescue her family prolong. Not knowing when her adventures will end, she discovers with the help of her boyfriend, why her purpose of completing her tasks are important. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in adventure or historical fiction novels. This was a type of book that I never wanted to put down once I started reading, and it always kept me interested with every detail. Out of a five star rating, I would rate this book a four.

I Should Have Stayed Home

The book I Should Have Stayed Home is written by 51 authors. This book is filled with short stories of peoples terrible vacations. In one of the stories a girl in a hotel room is attacked by army ants. In anther someone got pressured into taking an electric bath. “ i swung one leg into the bath. Electricity swarmed up my calf, buzzing and stinging” This book is great if you want something quick to read but will last a long time. This book was good for me because if I needed a book to read in class I could read one of the stories with out leaving of in the middle of something.

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell

Lone survivor, by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson tells the riveting story of Marcus Luttrell and his team. His squad consisted of four members, Mathew Axelson, James Suh and Danny Dietz. And their fateful mission operation Redwing in Afghanistan. Were they were forced to make a decision that would ultimately get all but one of them killed, this is a inside story of a Navy SEAL operation that went bad because of their fear of the liberal media, ROE (rules of engagement) and going to jail back home. Also how these SEALs showed heroism and courage for there squad and country with there main goal to get home alive. The Navy SEALs are a small, elite special operations group that is a branch of the Navy these soldiers are the elite of the elite their training is the hardest in the world, and only a select few can join their ranks and become a SEAL. SEAL stands for sea land and air they are masters of every environment. The Navy SEAL motto is, “The only easy day was yesterday” (85). I thought this was a great book, but there are a few slow parts but they are short.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

In the book Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen the main character a thirteen-year-old boy named Brain Robeson was on his way to his father’s house. When the single engine plane he was flying in crashes into the wilderness. Brain is left with only a hatchet that is connected to his belt and his own wits to try to survive in the unforgiving wilderness. He has to face many challenges that put him on the edge of breaking down. Brain has to learn many survival techniques if he is going to survive and keep believing that his parents will not stop looking for him until he is found. I believe that this book was exciting and suspenseful. Once I got about six pages into it I could not put it down. It is a great read as you follow Brian through his many adventures in the wild. You may even learn a thing or two about how to survive. I think that anyone who enjoys being in a wilderness will thoroughly enjoy reading this book. It has a very good plot that keeps you wanting to turn the page. I believe that you will like it. I did want to read more when I finally turn the last page. It is not too long, but not too short either. It also moves at a perfect pace. It keeps you on your toes, wondering, as he goes through challenges and starts to think that” he will never get out of this place. Not now. Not ever” (117). But will he stay strong and resist the negativity, and survive….

Grant

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

In the third book of the Inheritance series, Brisingr, by Cristopher Paolini engrosses readers with fast-paced action, witty dialogue and twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Brisingr brings us back to the fictional world of Alagaesia, where Eragon and his dragon Saphira continue to defend the Varden’s cause. The Varden are a rebel group attempting to overthrow the evil King Galbatorix. Unfortunately, Galbatorix has enslaved Eragon’s brother Murtagh, and continuously forces him to try to kill Eragon. Eragon is still in need of a new sword, so he ventures to the elves' home, Du Weldenvarden. Readers will not be able to put Brisingr down until the end, and even then they will be wanting more. As Eragon would say, "Atra guli un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waise koliro fra rauthr" or may luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune. This will most certainly be true for anyone who reads Brisingr. I would highly recomend this book to anyone with a taste for adventure, an interest in fiction, and most importantly, looking for a great read.

Shoeless Joe & Me by Dan Gutman

With a good amount of sports, a bit of history, and a lot of magic, Shoeless Joe and Me will appeal to everyone. Joe Stoshack is a boy given a big task to complete. Joe has a sick baseball card that allows him to travel back in time that he has used in previous books as this is the third book in the series. In this book he travels back in time to the year 1919 to visit a professional baseball player name Joe Jackson. Joe Jackson played for a team named the White Sox. Joe Jackson although a good man played for a team that was known for a scandal in which they bet money in games on the opposing team to win and then purposely lost the games to make money. While he is visiting Joe Jackson he has many adventures, but his biggest adventure was tryng to reverse what happened in the scandal and allow Jackson to get into the Hall of Fame. I thought this book was very good and entertaining. I would reccomend this book to baseball players since this book is about baseball.

Edgar Allan Poe "The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings"

"The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Black Cat", and "The Cask of Amontillado" are all by Edgar Allan Poe. "The Tell-Tale Heart " is mainly a suspense/horror. It is about a man who thinks he is not crazy. In the story it he proves himself wrong. He stalked his neighbor looking for the time to strike because he hated his neighbors eyes. He says "he had the eye of a volture- a pale blue with a film over it." This book was good at showing the rage and the insanite of the crazy man. I really enjoyed this story because it had a clever twist to the ending. In most of Edgar Allan Poe's stories they are slow at the begining but get really intense at the end. It doesn't really matter that it has a slow begining because the stories are pretty short. "The Black Cat" is about an alcoholic man. It is about the foolish things he has done when he was drunk and in rage. It is a story about how he tortured then killed his black cat and how his life was miserable after that. I thought that this story had many cases of irony. I think the strengths of this book are that it shows the horror in his life and the ironic moments. "The Cask of Amontillado" is about a man named Montresor who had vowed revenge. The story does not give detail about what happened to Montresor. The part that I thought was this stories strengths were the settings. Edgar Allan Poe does a great job of giving specific details in the settings.

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

“Last summer, the summer I turned twelve, was the summer Adam came. And forever after that I will think of events as Before Adam or After Adam,” (VII). Twelve year old Hattie, of the novel, A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin, lives the normal life of a twelve year old until she meets Adam. Adam is her special needs uncle whose school has been shut down. Until Hattie’ s grandparents can find a new place for him, he must stay in Millerton with Hattie’s Nana. Over the summer Hattie becomes very close with Adam. They would hang out together, with the supervision of Hattie’s very strict Nana, until one day when Hattie decides to take him to the new carnival in town, alone. Nana was unaware of this trip to the carnival and something terrible happens to Adam. I personally believe A Corner of the Universe was a great book. It was an easy read that, at times, was a page turner. The book can be a little slow at times but was still good.

Melia

A Storm of Swords, by George R.R. Martin

Five Kings are fighting for the throne, and wildlings storm the Wall in George R.R. Martin’s Storm of Swords. The Starks are scattered in the wind, and have found their way into some very large problems. In deceit and murder, “Not dead. Though my sweet sister did try.”(54), three kings fall, a dwarf hits the road, and Jon Snow is given a task that could save or ruin the realm. This book twill keep people guessing with fantastic twists and lifelike characters. The setting, a volatile country with constant war and crazy kings, only makes the book more realistic. The constant murders, weddings, and exiles keep the pages turning. Anyone who enjoys an action adventure will enjoy this book.

Burned by P.C and Kristen Cast

Burned Review
“She was literally fading away.” Things are getting worse and worse the longer Zoey’s soul is
shattered. While she is in the other world her friends try to figure out how to get her to return
to her body. Also, Stark is trying to bring Zoey so she can save the world. However, back in
Tulsa Stevie Rae is finding it harder and herder to keep her secret. Burned is the seventh book
in “The House of Night” series by P.C and Kristin Cast. This book will make the reader want to
know what happens next. The book was very well written and someone could easily relate to the
characters. The setting of the story is very dark so it helps enhance the books because all of the
characters are vampires. I kept on wanting to read the book and just couldn’t put it down. I think
mostly girls would like this book because there is a lot of boy drama, but boys feel free to read it.
The book genres are basically a little taste of everything.

Kate

World War Z, Max Brooks

At one time, they were everywhere, they were hungry and they were unrelenting. They charged without fear and kept coming, the zombies wouldn’t stop coming. Now those dark days are behind us, “...but at what cost?” asks Max Brooks in his chilling, multiple-perspective biography, World War Z. This book features at least over one hundred different perspectives on the catastrophe, from Doctor in Rio who witnesses one of the first outbreaks, to a Chinese Admiral trying to flee his country in China’s only nuclear sub to escape the carnage.

The stories these people tell also reveal the politics and military strategies of the outbreak and even what the zombies were like themselves, “They displayed no conscious thought, just biological instinct” (260). I’m going to say this right now, this book is simply amazing. I had no interest on the subject matter (zombie apocalypse theories) before i picked this book up, and now I’m a convert. It is something reminiscent of Orsen Wells’ radio play of The War of the Worlds. After reading this book, I am now paranoid of everything that moves that might be a zombie. Just like many were afraid of giant martian tripods incinerating their towns. Even if you have no interest, read the first page, and you’ll be hooked on this apocalyptic earth until you finish the last page.

Grant

House Rules by Jodie Picoult

"I was disgnosed with Asperger's syndrome long before it became the mental health disorder du jour, over used by parents to descrive their bratty kids so that people think they're super genuises instead of simply antisocial." Jacob hunt is a normal Adolescent, except for the fact that he has Asperger's syndrome, which is different for everyone with the condition. For example, some may be very antisocial and some may have an obsession on a certain thing. In the book House Rules by Jodie Picoult, Jacob the main character has an obsessive focus on foensic analysis, along with the typical problems of Asperger's like not being ab.e to easily express himself, and having a reserved behavior. Forensic analysis is like the kinds of things the poeple on CSI do, crime scenes, which Jacob is always showing up to, while helping out the police to solve crimes. Most of the time Jacob ends up being correct. One day, Jacob's tutor, Jesse, who helps him with his lack of being able to read social cues and talk to other people, dies. All his inappropriate gestures, and being unable to make eye contact all resembles guilt. Could Jacob have killed her? He finds himself accused of murder.

While reading this book, I have discovered an interest in Asperger's syndrome, along witth forensic analysis. It made me realize many things, such as how diverse a society can be without knowing it. I also think this is a very touching story, that the unconditional love his family has fir him, despite his behaviors. Suspense and curiosity definitely occurred in this reading. This book could appeal to all people because it is a very relateable story and was enjoyable to read. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Sydney

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon

“It was seven minutes after midnight. The dog was lying on the grass in the middle of the lawn in front of Mrs. Shears’ house. It’s eyes were closed…the dog was dead.” In the book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night Time by Mark Haddon, the main character, Christopher, investigates the murder of a neighborhood dog. Christopher has autism and he lives with his dad in England. The book is written from his point of view. He is telling the story of who killed the dog and all the mysteries he
uncovers while doing it. I thought this book was good. I wanted to keep reading to know what was going to happen. However there were also some slow parts because the main
character is talking and he goes back to old memories and facts that don’t really have anything to do with the story. I would recommend this book to someone because it is a good story with a good mystery.

Kate

Go Ask Alice by an anonymous author

Have you ever felt your life was spilaring out of control? Go Ask Alice is the diary who has some pretty messed up stuff going on in her life. As a yound teenager, she is exsposed to drugs and sex. "Our boss Shelia had us over for dinner and slipped something in our drinks. We woke up and had been raped by her boyfriend!(69)". From then on its all down hill. She runs away from home multiple times and experiences things nobody should experience. The ending is a little creepy but its a good book. When you're reading you wil step into this girl's shoes throught her extraordinary journey. I recommend this book for girls 16+ considering there is sex and drugs.

The Traveler-by John Twelve Hawks

Battling since the beginning of time the Harlequins and the Brethren still fight on a somewhat “even” playing field yet the stakes are higher now than ever. Travelers, those you have the ability to visit other realms are almost hunted to extinction, though many people believe they are all dead, but two brothers find the trait within and end up becoming separated from each other in more ways than one. Harlequins sworn to protect their travelers by choice and to live away from the vast machine while on the other side of things the Brethren have had a change of heart and decided to spare the traveler’s life, for now, and convert him to work for them. Be aware though this book will suck you in in a heartbeat. The writing style is very exciting and there are many cliffhangers from chapter to chapter. An amazingly written novel that continues to surprise the reader throughout everything going on. Remember to start it keeping an open mind while being taken into a whole new world and life. Almost like an alter ego of our own world or realm we need to realize that anything could be possible.

~Katie

Of Mice and Men, by Jon Steinbeck

George an Lennie are somewhat of an unusual pair. George, a small, level-headed man, and Lennie, a giant of a man with the mind of a child. In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, the reader is taken on a journey through the lives of two early nineteenth century, hardworking men. On the way, you will meet many different characters with very different personalities. But, will Lennies immaturity get them in trouble? This is a slow book with fanominal detail and a superb storyline. The author really paints a picture in the mind of the reader, " A few miles south of Solidad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green. The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool"(1). Steinbeck really makes you feel like you're on of the characters, watching the story unfold right in front of you. The characters in the story are so realistic, as if the are real people. The vividness of their pesonalities make te reader feel as if they have known them all their life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book with magnificint detail and who wants to get connected to the characters.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Herowitz

When police officers show up at Alex Rider’s home at three in the morning, he could tell from their funeral voices that they have morbid news to share. After investigating his uncle’s death, Alex finds out that it was not due to an accident. Instead, he discovers that his uncle was killed from working as a spy for England’s intelligence agency. At the age of fourteen, Alex gets recruited to continue with his uncle’s top secret mission concerning the Stormbreakers. Alex saves the world from mass murderer Mr. Sayle’s biological warfare plans.

Even though the life of a teen secret agent sounds intriguing and adventurous, it would truly be a sacrifice to give up my everyday life for that of Alex’s. The action and suspense kept me peeled to the book as I imagined what was around the corner for Alex. It was a bittersweet moment when Alex learns that the man who saves his life is the same person who took his uncle’s. Alex bravely turns to the Russian contract killer and asks him, “You’re not going to shoot me too?” I strongly recommend this book to any teen looking for an escape into a fantasy world.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

At the end of Twilight Bella Swan is at a birthday day party with her vampire boyfriend Eward Cullen and his vampire clan which has sworn themselves off of human blood. When Bella accidentally cuts her finger and starts to bleed this event forces the Cullens to move away because Eward realizes he is putting Bella in a lot of danger he tells her “ I promise that this will be the last time you’ll see me” (71). I really liked New Moon its more action packed then Twilight was. If you like adventure and Romance you will like this book.
Twilight Bella Swan is at a birthday day party with her vampire boyfriend Eward Cullen and his vampire clan which has sworn themselves off of human blood. When Bella accidentally cuts her finger and starts to bleed this event forces the Cullens to move away because Eward realizes he is putting Bella in a lot of danger he tells her “ I promise that this will be the last time you’ll see me” (71). I really liked New Moon its more action packed then Twilight was. If you like adventure and Romance you will like this book.

The Lonesome Gods, by Louis L. Amour

Western fans rejoice! The book of your dreams is here! Louis L Amour's classic has everything; gunfights, horse breaking, desert survival, you name it, as well as characters that will draw you deeper and deeper into the story.

"I am Johannes Verne, and I am not afraid." (repeatedly said throughout the book). That is what the main character says to keep his hopes of a sucessful life in the unforgiving desert, from when he is traveling in a stagecoach heading west, trudging home after being dragged out to the desert by his vengeful grandfather after gunning Johannes father down in cold blood, or killing the bounty hunters sent after him by his jealous uncle. After he is saved by a band of outlaws, he stays at his home for years, exchanging books with a folklore monster, until he is brought to Las Angeles by a family friend to live with a mysterious woman whose past is shrouded in speculation. As time goes on, though, he can't help but wonder what lies over the hills in the land where his parents fell in love with...

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris is about a retired detective named Will Graham. He retired because while catching a serial killer he was mentally and physically hurt. A new serial killer is loose and they can not catch him so detective Jack Crawford convinces Will to work on the case.

I really liked this book. It is very interesting throughout most of the book but parts of it were boring. When Crawford was telling Wills girlfriend why he needs Will to work the case he said, "Because it's his bad luck to be the best. Because he doesn't think like other people. Somehow he never got in a rut"(8). It would have been nice to read more about Will and his feelings but over all it was a good book.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

In The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls tells the story of her difficult, nomadic childhood through this riveting memoir. The Walls family were always on the move, whether living in a desert, a small mining town, or a large bustling city. Rex Walls, Jeannette's father, was an alcoholic, but when sober was intelligent and vibrant, teaching his children to be unafraid of life. Rose Mary Walls, Jeannette's mother, was an artistic and free-spirited woman, but refused to be responsible for taking care of the family. This unique combination of personalities made the Walls children realize that they had to take care of themselves. As Jeannette grew older, she and her siblings discovered despite their family's dysfunctional nature, what really mattered was their undying love and loyalty for each other. The Glass Castle never failed to entertain me; although this memoir may have been targeted to older readers, The Glass Castle was easy to understand. Nevertheless, it used profound, poignant language and was paced very well. The types of events that occurred throughout Jeannette's life were unbelievable, and sometimes even induced sadness and pity. But still, Jeannette always presented herself with perseverance and optimism despite her very humble background. Overall, adolescents of all ages will find that The Glass Castle is a remarkable and exceptional memoir, and they will savor every word until the very last page.
-Casey

Lone Survivor by: Marcus Luttrell

"These men of the Special Forces have had other options in their lives, other paths, easier paths they could have taken. But they took the hardest path, that narrow causeway that is not for the sunshine patriot. They took the one for the supreme patriot, the one that may require them to lay down their lives for the United States of America. The one that is suitable only for those who want to serve their country so bad, nothing else matters…” Marcus Luttrell is the best of the best, the cream of the crop… he is a United States Navy Seal. In Lone Survivor the author Marcus Luttrell narrates his life from the time her joined the Navy. The readers will feel the freezing cold winter waters of the Navy Seal training camp in Coronado California, as Marcus describes the hardships recruits go through just to be admitted into training. The readers then follow Marcus to Afghanistan and will not be able to stop reading as he faces a decision that could cost him his life. This book is a amazing page turner, and has nonstop action from the start. Readers that enjoy a good non-fiction war story with hair-raising excitement will love this book. Lone survivor gives the best in detail account of the life of the covert Navy Seals.

-Taylor

The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis

When two children discover a world where time is different then ours and a great lion rules the land, many adventures begin. Journey to Narnia one last time in The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis. The great lion Aslan has been spotted in Narnia once again, but is it really him? Is Aslan really the same as the Calormen god Tash who the rowdy Calormens of the South sacrifice men to? After all, he is not a tame lion.

King Tirian is trying to stand up to this lie. “He meant to go on and ask how the terrible god Tash who fed on the blood of his people could possibly be the same as the good Lion by whose blood all Narnia was saved.” Narnia has turned into a battlefield, but the children from our world are coming back to help. As Jill fights for Narnia, she says, “I was going to say I wished we’d never come. But I don’t, I don’t, I don’t. Even if we are killed. I’d rather be killed fighting for Narnia than grow old and stupid at home and perhaps go about in a bathchair and then die in the end just the same.”

Could this possibly be the end of Narnia?

This books pace is a little slow. It takes a while to build up to the excitement. If you have read and enjoyed the rest of this series, than you should definitely read this. The setting is in a made-up world called Narnia. Learn how this world was made in The Magician’s Nephew. Jill and the other children that come to help Narnia live in England. They are just normal kids, but in Narnia they fit in with Kings and Queens. I enjoyed this whole series and would recommend it.

Shelby

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

In Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews, you learn the true meaning of what a real family is. The time frame of this book is in the present. The story is about a perfect family who live in the suburbs with a mom, dad, son, and daughter. After the mom finds out she is pregnant and then gives birth to the new twins, a tragedy happens. When the father is driving home from work on his birthday, someone hit him head on and he died immediately. The mom and four children are left with no money, a broken heart, and lots of extravagant things they can’t afford. Their house is being foreclosed, so the only thing to do is to move in with the estranged grandparents who disowned their daughter (mom) many years ago for an unknown reason. Once the mom has told the children about this move she also tells them that they have to be hidden away in an attic in order for the mother to inherit there fortune until the wealthy grandfather dies. The mom told the children it would only be a couple of days because the grandfather was in poor health and he would pass away soon. Little did they know that days turn into months, months turn into years. “I hear not a whisper of movement in the huge house; not the faint shrills of a telephone ringing; not a kitchen appliance could be heard switching on and off; not even a dog barked outside; nor did a car pass to throw a light that might, hopefully, penetrate through the heavy draperies” (V.C. Andrews 102) In my opinion, this book was amazing. The author was descriptive and kept up the pace. I did not want to this book down once. This book is true life and to the point. I recommend this book for everyone. I loved it.

Book Review:The Kite Runner

Briana Grether 4^o

10/25/10

Book Review: The Kite Runner

By Khaled Hosseini

As children, Amir and Hassan were best friends. As infants they breast-fed from the same woman, and they lived in the same house. The only difference between them was that Amir was the son of a wealthy general, while Hassan was a loyal servant boy, son of a crippled Hazara. Hassan and Ali (his father) lived there solely to serve Amir and his father (who he calls Baba). But in reality, Hassan gave him more than his life, or his loyalty. He gave him his love and all his trust. Amir and Hassan were inseparable, until Amir makes a mistake that he regrets for the rest of his life. He betrays the boy who would do anything for him “a thousand times over” and everything changes.

Chaos rules modern Afganistan when the Taliban take over, and Amir and his Baba flee to America, hoping to leave their troubles behind. But eventually Amir’s act of disloyalty from his childhood comes back to haunt him and forces him to journey to uncover terrible secrets of his past and go to all hell to try to redeem himself.

This beautifully written portrait of modern Afganistan is the kind of material only an ignorant man would not read. It is full of morals and tragically describes how one small decision can change your life forever. “I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life would have turned out differently if I had. But I didn’t. I just watched, paralyzed,” (73). The setting of this book is perfect; full of the strife and war of real Afgan life. “’Don’t shoot me!’ Karim cried. But before any of us could say or do a thing, Kamal’s father shoved the barrel into his own mouth. I’ll never forget the echo of the blast. Or the flash of light and spray of red,” (124). Although this book was very good, some parts were hard to digest, meaning the violence and emotions of the characters may be overwhelming to some people. I do not suggest this book to anyone with a weak stomach.