The House of the Scorpion

The book “House Of The Scorpion”  is a science fiction novel, it was written in 2002 but finally released in 2012. Nancy farmer, the author, mainly writes books of this genre, The book itself has a lot of twists and turns and made me never want to put it down. The book is 400 pages long and an easy read for people who are interested in its genre. The main story of this book was a child overcoming numerous obstacles  and learning that he is the one who makes the choices in his life, and that his biggest obstacle will be facing himself. All in all it’s a great book with a dark ending.

The setting of the book is in the land of “Opium”. Opium is a land that was given to the drug lord (El patron) as a piece offering from Mexico and the U.S. The land was named Opium because it is the main producer of the drug itself. The main character is named Matteo, but is referred to Matt throughout the book. Matt spent his early years living in a shack and not even being able to taste the air outside for reasons he did not know, Until one day he had heard voices outside. His care taker always warned him not to go outside, but he ignored that and did so anyway. On the outside world Matt experiences not only Character v. Character, Self, and nature, But society as well. He learns that he was one of many clones used for fresh parts for the now 148 year old drug lord. On his struggle to escape the many dangers he had come to, he realizes that he is Matteo realizes he no longer needs to run because no one is to harm him. With the new found knowledge, El patron sets a trap and welcomes him with open arms giving him education, love, and everything else a child would need. The day came when matt was to be harvested so the drug lord can continue to live, while on the table he finds himself thinking about hhis life, and comes to the conclusion that it was his turn to be the next El patron, and he leaves the drug lord to die, presenting himself to his property and his people.

I loved this book, it was my favorite of the four I read. It was full of so much intense drama and visual imaging that I never wanted to put it down, which is probably why I read it in a day. I would recommend this book because I have done so for friends and the all enjoyed it as much as I did. Its an easy read with a lot of action packed into one, it really sets a name for the genre of Science Fiction.  

Book Review by Brett B.

Legend

Legend was a very exciting book to read. It’s the first book in a trilogy, written by Marie Lu. The series is the only writing by Marie Lu so far. The trilogy includes Legend, Prodigy and Champion. The story is a dystopian fiction book for young adults.  The themes are rich versus poor and family.

In a future United States called the republic, there is a very big difference between rich and poor. Day and June, are both 15 years-old. June being rich comes from a military family. She is considered a prodigy in the Republics eyes. She always gets in trouble, with no parents she often leans on her older brother Metias. Day is a boy from the poor economic spectrum. Being raised in the slums of the republic he is the most wanted criminal. Day hates the Republic, and used his athletic and intelligent capabilities to attack their military bases and hospitals, and generally causing chaos. It is during one of these attacks that Day supposedly murders Metias.

In her hunger to get revenge, June is sent to find Day, and turn him in to the Republic. After posing as a girl from the slums, Day rescues her from a fight, either one knowing who the other is. After a little while, Day and June realize that they're falling for each other. But then, as Day is falling asleep, June starts to make little connections to Day and the boy. June reports Day to her commander. Day is brought in and is sent to a cell to await execution. They both learn they might have more in common then they think.

As I read Legend  I found myself enjoying it at times and being disappointed at others. My disappointment was because I found that there were just too many drawn out part in the book. It became a little boarding a times to stay with the story. The book had many good qualities also. I really like how the girl could stand up for herself. Another aspect I enjoyed was that the author went back and forth between the points of view of June and Day. The plot was very likeable and the characters were well developed.

All things considered, I truly enjoyed Legend  but at times it was a little too slow for me. I think this is a good book and other readers who like Divergent and the HungerGames so definitely check this book out. 

Book Review by Gabi G.

Search of the Moon King's Daughter

Title: Search of the moon kings daughter

Author: Linda Holman

Linda Holman has also made other books, but I haven’t read it. I maybe be planning on reading it but this one that I got done reading is kind of sad and I’m not a sad book kind of reading person. But some of her books are flying to yellowing a far country and promise song there a lot more but these are some. Since I never really read her other books I can’t really compare them but so far I kind of liked the book, so I probably will read the book again but next year because I don’t read the same books all in one year.

So my book is about a girl named Emilie. She lives with her brother and her mother that is kind of sick, like she doesn’t have any feelings when she is doing things to other people. After her da dies, her aunt comes to house and ask her if she really wants to live with her without her family because she thinks that mother is weird. That’s what her aunt thinks witch is her dads’ sister anyways she ends up going with her aunt. And her mother also comes with her. So she is on a search to find her lost brother. On the way she also meets some new friends that she stays with and meets a whole lot of people with different personalities.

I would recommend this book to everyone because it’s really interesting. especially when she is going everywhere looking for her for her brother. Going to other city that is not even close to her it’s so scary when she’s in an unknown place looking for her brother. I mean I really enjoyed this book a lot when I was done with the book I was so shocked because of the ending. If you want to read it you’ll have to find out yourself “read it”!!!

Book Review by Stella J.

The Freedom Writers Diary

The book I read was The Freedom writers by The Freedom writters and Erin Gruwell. Erin Gruwell wrote a few other books such as “TheGigantic Book of Teachers’ Wisdom”. By looking at the title and not have read this book it seems like a guide to become an understanding and smart teacher. It also seems that it all ties together with her book with The Freedom Writters wrote with the freedom writters.The Freedom writters is a book about a class of ninth graders who encounter a new type of english teacher who doesn’t give up on them like others had. The theme of this book would have to be believe in yourself.

               

The story is about a class of ninth graders who encounter a new type of teacher that pushes not only herself but the students to be and do their best. In the book there are not any names but Mrs. Gruwell’s. The book is wrote about all the conflicts that these young men and women had to encounter.

               

This book is a wonderful read because it has a lot of amazing and crazy stories in it that touch the heart. If you enjoy a sort of audbioraphy this book is for you.

Book Review by Jesus P.

Unwind

I read the book Unwind by Neal Shusterman, who also wrote Everlost. Everlost is very similar to Unwind in the sense that they’re both about worlds that do not exist. Unwind is about a compromise that was made after war saying that between the ages of 13 and 18 parents can choose to have their children sent to “harvest camps” and later unwound, dissembling their bodies and keeping parts for later use.   Power and ethics are both big themes in this book.

Unwind is about three teens who are unwanted by their families, Connor, who is being unwound because hes always in trouble, Risa, who is being unwound because the orphanage can no longer afford her, and Lev, who is a tithe, meaning he is one of his tenth siblings who is being sacrificed for religious purposes. The three of them come together by coincidence, and end up going across the country together to a place where they are told they will remain safe until their 18th birthday, and they cannot be harmed by the government.

I would recommend this book to others because its easy to get caught up in our society and our problems, so its nice to step out and realize our world could be much worse, and to explore the way others do or could live their lives. I think this is a great book for anyone to read, definitely a page turner!

Book Review by Georgia B.

Little Bee

The story Little Bee by Chris cleave is a realistic-fiction novel. Chris is the author of Incendiary and The Other Hand.  The story describes the life and challenges of two women who live two very different lives, but are brought together the death of Andrew O’Rourke. The readers get a special connection with the characters of this story and I believe this long story is worth the read.

      

Sara O’Rourke and Little Bee are the two main characters that the author switches between their points of view. Little Bee is a refugee girl from Nigeria who had her life saved by Sara bravely chopping off her finger. Sara is a widow of her suicidal husband Andrew, and she has to live with the trauma of Nigeria, as does Little Bee as well.  After leaving Nigeria Sara never expected to see Little Bee again, but the day after Sara’s husband kills herself, Little Bee shows up on her porch needing a place to live. Sara and Little Bee have a lot of problems they need to get over.  They tremendously help each other in their times of need.  Read this story to find out some of the obstacles Sara and Little Bee overcome together and some heart wrenching details of their past.

      

Little Bee was a great story but it’s not for everyone. This is not an exciting action packed story, but it has a great message and story line. I wouldn’t say it’s the best book I have read but it is a very good story that makes your heart warm and happy, but at other parts can make you tear up. If you pick up this book you won’t be at the edge of your seat with suspense. It is a slow read with a slow story line, this isn’t usually my preferred type of book but Little Bee is an exception. I think that anyone should give this book a shot, if you read it and don’t like it I understand, if you read it and love it I understand too. It just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Book Review by Allie K.

Lone Survivor

The book Lone Survivor is an incredible story about how SEAL team 10 fought and died in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan.  It tells the gripping story of Marcus Luttrell and how he survived through his own skill, sheer luck and the unlikely help from a foreign stranger he thought was his enemy. 

It all started when Marcus and his team were dropped down into the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan.  Their mission was to find and capture or kill a terrorist insurgent by the name of Ben Sharmak.  Sharmak, otherwise known as, “the bomb master”, was responsible for thousands of civilian and military deaths.  He had access to any kind of weapons or materials he needed to do almost any job asked of him involving terrorist activity. Unfortunately, soon after Marcus and his team made it to their set up area, and begin to scan the village for Sharmak, a heavy fog set in limiting their visibility into the village, and forcing them to a lower position on the mountainside.  No sooner did they find a wide-open cliff side overlooking the village, a goatherd and their shepherds begin to approach their position.  Marcus and his team were forced to come out of hiding and take the shepherds captive.  From there they began to face their most difficult decision, what to do with the captive shepherds and their goats?  They can’t just let them go because there is a good chance the shepherds will go and warn the village causing 200 plus Taliban fighters to rush up the mountain to hunt down Marcus and his team.  The odds are against them in a firefight of 4 on 200 plus they consider killing the shepherds and hiding the bodies.  Concerned that eventually the shepherds and their goats would be missing forcing a search party to head up the mountain, option 2 didn’t seem all that great either.  The whole team decides to take their chances on letting the shepherds go.  As the shepherds descend down the mountain the team returns to their spot to wait for Sharmak.  As they wait Marcus gets a nudge from his teammate to look behind him.  When Marcus turns around he sees at least a hundred men with dark beards, turbans, holding AK-47’s lining the ridge above them.  Marcus immediately turns and points his rifle at the group.  As Marcus scanned them he comes face to face with one of the men through his scope.  The man had brown eyes filled with hate, and a long scruffy beard the kind that hasn’t been trimmed in a decade. Concerned by the AK rifle pointed at him, Marcus lined his sights up right between the eyes of the man and squeezed the trigger of his mark 12 rifle.  A moment later the bullet pierced the skull of the man and a hail of gunfire exploded from the ridge down toward Marcus and his team.  Marcus and his team begin to fire back picking the Taliban fighters off one by one with relative ease, but eventually Marcus and his team are overwhelmed by gunfire and are forced to retreat by jumping off the ridge behind them and sliding down the steep rock face. Marcus was the first one down and then two more of his teammates came crashing down.  When the last team member came hurtling down the mountainside and into cover, Marcus could see blood gushing from his teammates side and knew instantly that he had been shot.  As the Taliban continued its relentless pursuit down the mountain, again Marcus’s team was overwhelmed with gunfire.  They knew they had to continue to roll down the mountain in retreat.  Each drop became bigger and bigger and harder to make.  As they continued down the cliff they bolted across a ridge and went into the cover one at a time.  The SEAL that was shot and another SEAL made it over the ridge and rolled down to better hiding.  Marcus and the other ran for it but after making it to cover his teammate popped up to start laying down covering fire he was shot in the throat.  His teammate dropped for a second but then popped right back up and started firing again.  They then ran for the next piece of cover and his teammate caught one right in the back.  The bullet must have hit his spine because he could not walk.  He dragged himself back into cover with Marcus still shooting at the enemy with seemingly every shot finding its mark.  Marcus then tried to drag his teammate to the ridge but as Marcus was dragging him a bullet hit his teammate right in the face.  His fellow SEAL’s head jolted back, he dropped his rifle and just laid their lifeless.  Marcus knew that the bullet had killed his teammate, and worse there was nothing he could do but leave the body there. Leaving a fallen comrade behind was the hardest thing a SEAL could do, but he knew if he tried to drag him down further he too would have been killed.  Marcus then ran for the ridge and rolled down to his last two teammates. They dove into a small crevice in the side of the mountain where they decided to make their last stand.  They began to start picking the Taliban warriors off one by one again.  Marcus swore he had killed more then fifty and counting.  Suddenly a bullet rocketed through the opening from which his teammate was firing from and lodged itself right in his head.  The SEAL slumped back and stayed there.  He was dead.  Now it was just Marcus and the injured SEAL who was still bleeding profusely.  Just then an RPG rocket was fired right at the crevice where Marcus and the other SEAL were.  Marcus could see the white smoke trail behind it right before it exploded in-between Marcus and the other SEAL.  When Marcus gathered his thoughts he saw the injured SEAL on his back blood oozing out of his mouth and ears and shrapnel lodged in his face while his uniform was cut to shreds.  Marcus then looked down and saw the bloody mess that was his leg.  Just then another RPG came crashing into the crevice and flung Marcus out onto the ridge.  Marcus then rolled off the ridge and down into hiding.  Marcus somehow evaded another firefight after rolling down the last ridge.  He was now alone and begun to crawl in search of safety.  He eventually came upon a stream, which he crawled to.  After a drink of water and sitting their trying to think of someway to get out of this he heard footsteps.  He then saw bearded men carrying AK-47s.  They came up to him yelling no Taliban, no Taliban. At first Marcus thought they were there to capture him, instead they brought him to their village, which was run by a man by the name of Gulab.  They took care of Marcus and helped him heal.  After Marcus’s leg had healed enough to walk they set out for the nearest military base where Marcus was then saved.

I would recommend this book to everyone because it is an incredible story about the bravery of SEAL team 10 in Operation Redwing.  I thought the book gripped me do to the fact that I love military type of books but I also think anyone would like it because it shows the true dedication and sacrifice of Marcus and his team

Book Review by Parker M.

The Andalite Chronicles

The Andalite Chronicles by K.A. Applegate is a spinoff series from Animorphs. The story is told by the main character Elfangor in first person perspective.

The story is about a race of aliens known as Andalites. They have scorpion tails, horse bodies, and an extra set of eyes sticking out from the top of their heads. The story focuses around Elfangor, an aristh, the lowest rank of warrior. He is still a mere aristh when he is forced into battle with the Yeerks, a slug-like species that embeds itself in your brain and controls you.

Elfangor and his fellow aristh, Arbon, are selected to go on a special mission to return two humans back to Earth. When they arrive, they find something they never expected, The Time Matrix. This extraterrestrial object sends them on an adventure to the world of the Hork-Bajir, a race already completely taken over by the Yeerks. When they arrive, Elfangor quickly gets separated from Arbon and Alloran, an old Andalite war prince. When everything goes to hell, Elfangor finds himself face to face with a Yeerk General, Visser 3.

The Time Matrix had sent Elfangor and the human Lauren, to a dimension shaped by their and Visser 3s minds. After a huge battle, Elfangor and Lauren escape back to earth.  Elfangor, using his Andalite morphing powers, turns into a human and builds a life with Lauren. Everything is fine and dandy, until and Ellimist, a creator of the time matrix. Elfangor is then called back to action.

All in all I think this book is great. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through it and it was a thrill to the end. I highly recommend  this book to anyone who is a fan of Sci-Fi and action.

Book Review by Zach S.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Where The Red Fern Grows is a book that was written by Wilson Rawls, this book was written in 1974. The main location in this book is Billy’s town.

In the book the main character is Billy. Billy buys two dogs and from there falls in love with them and uses them to hunt for raccoons. His attachment to his dogs is very strong and in his town hunting is a companion.

I liked this book it was very interesting and was also very emotional. It shows the bound between a boy and his dogs. It also shows how dogs look up to you and will protect and help you though anything even if they are “just dogs”.  I would definitely recommend someone to read this book if you like dogs but it the end may be sad but it’s a really good book and brought tears to my eyes. 

Book Review by Nora C.

The Outsiders

The Outsiders is a book that was written by S.E. Hinton, it is considered a young adult fiction. She has written “That was then, This is now”, “Rumble Fish”, “Tex”, “The Puppy Sister” and many more. The time period seems to be taking place in the late 80’s into the mid 90’s. It takes place in a town that is split between two “gangs” the Greasers and the Socs. Also known as the East side and the West side.

In the book the main characters are Ponyboy Curtis, Darry, Dally, Steve and Sodapop. A feud starts when a Socs member threatens to kill Ponyboy. The threat is taken seriously and the Greasers take action to defend Ponyboy. The group of Greasers are like brothers, practically family. They always stick together and fight for each other.

I liked this book because it is interesting. It shows what can happen between gangs, how they feel and what it was like in the time period. Also it shows you how people can handle sticking together when they don’t have anyone else. I think this is a good book and I would recommend reading this and other books written by S.E. Hinton.

Book Review by MJ L.

Nightshade

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer is the first book in its series. The book is told in the first-person perspective by a girl named Calla.

The story is about the Guardians, werewolves, who serve Keepers, not werewolves. But it focuses on two different Guardian packs the Banes and the Nightshades. Calla is the alpha for the Nightshade pack.

At the beginning Calla saves a human named Shay from a bear attack on the mountain. Later at school, Shay is in their school. Ren, alpha of the Bane pack, and Calla are, under rules, to be together and be the alphas of a pack that combines the Nightshades and the Banes. After an attack on Shay on the night at the club, both packs are told that they have to protect Shay in case another attack like that happens again.

Despite the fact that there are too many romantic scenes in the book, I feel it’s a pretty good read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Fantasy or Romance books.

Book Review by Sean B.

Significance

Significance is by Shelly Crane. She has also written the rest of the Significance series which is around five books in total. I prefer the first book over the others only because sometimes with the others I just wish the series would end, before the author writes too many and makes her readers bored. The book is about a just-out-of-high-school-student named Maggie. The same day of her graduation she meets her significant other, Caleb. The book pretty much tell about how Maggie and Caleb deal with their new found connection and the enemies  Maggie earns when in a way joins Caleb’s family. The story is mostly about true love, the story book kind, the kind everyone want in their lives at some point.  Personally I loved the book, but it might just be because I’m a sappy romantic who has a thing for lovy dudy books, with a little hint of action in between. I mean who doesn’t want a significant other who loves you more than life itself? It was a good book, a few spelling errors here and there but overall a good book I would recommend someone that’s into sappy romances to, that is if they are in middle school or high school.

Book Review by Natasha W.

The Skinjacker Trilogy

The book I read was the Skinjacker Trilogy by Neal Shusterman. The main characters of the Skinjacker Trilogy are Nick and Allie and the way the met was through death. Before Nick and Allie met they were both on trips of their own. Allie was arguing with her dad over the loud music and nick was on his way to his cosines wedding.

Then they crashed  Allie and Nick both went through the windshield hitting each other’s car hoods as Allie woke up she was going through a black tunnel towards a light but at the same time so was Nick they both collided and woke up a few hours later in a place call Everlost. Everlost is neither haven nor hell it’s a purgatory for kids the ages four to fifteen. When they woke up the started to fighting about who bumped who on their way to haven but then they realized that if they done find their way home the will never go to haven so they started their journey in south New York state to get home so they can be in peace.

               

If I was to rate this book I would give it a eight out of ten because in this book there can be some confusing concepts in this book on where they are and what can and what can they do. Also there is a monster that sinks the kids of Everlost underground if you breathe or act like you’re hungry but otherwise I thought it was a pretty good book. If I was going to recommend this book I would recommend it to someone who likes scfi and fantasy books.

Book Review by Andre G.

The Fault In Our Stars

John Green is famous for many books from Looking for Alaska to Paper towns. In 2012 he wrote The Fault In Our Stars a #1 New York Times Bestseller. In all three of the books, they all compare because the characters are all teenagers. And they each have their own story. The theme of the book is about cancer. But not just one of those cancer books, it is the best book of all time. Yes cancer is said but how he uses the different cancer patients and has them interact with each other is amazing. He made each character pop out of the book and into your heart.

In The Fault In Our Stars, Hazel meets an amazing boy at her support group for cancer survivors and patients. She meets a bot named Isaac, and he becomes one of her only friends. Isaac brings his friend to the support group (he is also a cancer survivor) and he just cannot keep his eyes off Hazel. While being the three amigos, Isaac has to get rid of his eye sight because his cancer was spreading, when he lost sight his girlfriend broke his heart. He was in so much pain that Augustus (his friend) took him and Hazel to her house and had him throw eggs at her car. He got the hang of it after a while and got the car a couple times, it made him feel a little better. In the book they meet and the go on a fabulous trip together to Amsterdam with Hazel’s mom. When the three get back something wrong starts to develop. Hazel cannot stop it, no one can.

This book was amazing; it was my favorite book of all time! The reason why the book was amazing was because it was a love story about two people who became madly in love. This sweet enchanting book was brilliantly thought out in every page. I never wanted to put it down; it had heart stoppers and romance.  I think anyone and everyone should read this book at least once! This book is great for any to most ages there are some naughty words/actions, but overall great book! 

Book Review by Daria K.

Spellbound

Being a teenage mom, in New York the hardest city to be in. With the help of her mom and her closest friend Aisha they pull through the rough life they have. Raven Jefferson is a senior in High school trying her best to make a life for her and her baby Smokey. Her friend Aisha who is as well a teen mom have both dropped out of school to take care of their babies. Raven is trying to find a job to keep her and her family on top, but barely making it she finds a job cooking fish at a frying joint. Aisha is let’s just say very ghetto. She is loud and rude, but Raven on the other hand is totally different. She is more calmed down and not so piped up. I think the message of this book is to teach young kids what life is like being a mom. It’s not so much fun because you can’t do much. You have to leave all your fun days in the past and work and not go to school as much until the baby is old enough to go to a daycare or until you simply can. Her sister Dell is a lawyer and happened to run across a flyer that can help a student get into college but the only thing was you had to compete in a spelling bee. Raven was turned away right there because she doubted herself.

               

The book Spellbound is very detailed in how a young African American girl’s life is built. I think it’s a very good book for teens of any race to read. It as well tells about the determination and how to never give up on something that you might think is impossible. Everything in your eyes might be impossible but once someone encourages you to do it, it just seems very easy to accomplish.

               

I don’t think this book is a waste of your time because it gives you a perspective of how teens see life. They think that it is fun and games that you can just screw up in high school and not get punished for it, but Raven then learned that that was not how it turned out to be. You should really pick this book up anytime you can because it has a fantastic life lesson in it.

Book Review by Courtney B.

A Child Called It

A Child Called It

Dave Pelzer's first book in this series is Amazing. What actually happened to him as a child is hard to imagine. This was a number one New York Times bestseller for months and is an inspirational story.

David was renamed “It” by his evil mother. His childhood begins as the life everyone hopes for. He enjoyed visits to the zoo, lake trips with family, and being cuddled by his mom while listening to a great book. David's life drastically changed when he became a first-grader. His mother and father developed drinking problems. It's very hard to read about all the sadistic “games” his mother dreamed up.

When you read some of what happens, you'll wonder how anyone could even think of ­doing such things to their own child. This book really makes you wonder how many other children suffer such abuse. As his teachers, principal, neighbors, and even his father stand by and let the abuse happen, it makes you wonder what you would have done. This book is extremely well written. All of the Horrifying details help you to visualize what he went through. There are more books in this series, and you'll want to read them all once you begin. 

Book Review by Mohamud A.

A Map of the Known World

The story A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell is great. This is more of a life living story compared to her other books like The Weight of the Sky and Song of the Sparrow. After the death of an older brother, son, friend, the characters all find a way to become united with each other once again. The theme of A Map of the Known World is to always show your talent no matter what it is and every time you fall you always stand back up in all situations.

               

An artistic young teenage girl, Cora Bradley, reunites with her brother, Nate’s old friend Damian Archer. Damian was in the car with Nate when he crashed the car. Damian shows Cora things about her brother Nate that nobody knew about him. Cora shows off her and her brothers artistic talents and makes everyone notice how much talent the siblings have. Although Cora’s family doesn’t like Damian, they all become close again at the end of the book showing all respect to Nathaniel.

               

I recommend for everybody to read A Map of the Known World because showing your hidden talents is important and Sandell is a great author. Lisa Ann Sandell has written many fascinating books, this isn’t her only one. I suggest reading this book immediately, I’m sure everyone will have high interest in the story.

Book Review by Jaylen F.

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee gives the first person account of the trial of Tom Robinson from the view of Jean Louise Finch, or Scout as she likes to be called. It is about the trial of Tom Robinson, the adventures of Scout, Dill, and Jem and the mysterious Boo Radley. The story shows Scout as she progressively matures in her mind and learns the lesson that she should not judge others until she knows their actions through their perspective.

The story is about the events that take place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the trial of Tom Robinson, an African American man who is charged with raping Mayella Ewell, the daughter of Bob Ewell, who is the stories main antagonist. As the story progresses, the reader learns more and more information about what truly happened between Tom and Mayella through information that Scout is given.  The reader learns about what truly happened on the night that Tom was reported, and after the truth is out Bob Ewell wants revenge and will stop at nothing until he has gotten it.

Because this book is so full of information and secrets to be read, I cannot give as much information as would be preferred. But I can say this: this book is rated even more than a 10/10. If I could rate it higher, I would. This book may very well be the greatest book I have ever read in my life and it truly changed my way of thinking about certain things after reading it. I give it this rating because of how incredibly amazing the book itself is and because of all of the secrets and new adventures around every corner in the book. This is truly a book everyone should read, and definitely a book that I will read again someday.

Book Review by Sam B.

The Outsiders

The book I read was the outsiders by s.e Hinton. This book is one of the most popular books she has written. This book is set around the late 80s or mid 90s in a town divided between east and west side (just like many towns dealing with gangs now) around summer time is when a massive “war” between two groups happens. There are a lot of points in this book that are made but one of the main ones brought up a lot is that you don’t realize what you have or what it’s worth to you until its gone.

The book the outsiders is bases around the character of Ponyboy Curtis who belongs to a group of Oklahoma teenagers who call themselves the greasers because of the way their hair is long and greasy. One day while walking home from a movie, Ponyboy is ganged up on by a group of Socs, the preppy rich boys from the West Side of town. The Socs gang up on Ponyboy and threaten to kill him. A group of greasers comes and chases the bullies away, saving Ponyboy. Ponyboy’s rescuers include his brother Sodapop, a charming, handsome high-school dropout, and Darry, Ponyboy’s oldest brother and the rest of the greasers who come to Ponyboy’s rescue are Johnny, Dally, Steve, Sodapop’s best friend.

This book tells a story of a huge social division between people almost reminding you of the division because of racism is the early 1950s. This book is an amazing story of how you can overcome the greatest obstacles and toughest times even when others say there is no chance and it really shows you how some situations will end differently than you would ever expect them to. This book can teach kids and even adult the effects that a great division and hatred for other people can cause and how it affects everyone around them.

I recommend this book for everyone because it’s a universal story that can bring anyone to tears but at the same time teach a valuable life lesson. There is no real gender restriction to this book because in some weird way it relates to everyone’s life and will keep you thinking for a while. The book has great detail and almost makes it seem like you were a part of the crazy actions scenes and tough decisions. This book may be one of my favorites simply because it can relates to so much more than anyone would think and is truly the book of its time, and modern day time.

Book Review by Olivia P.

Act of Valor

The title of the book that this report is on is Act of Valor written by Tom Clancy. I am unfamiliar with any other books that Tom Clancy has written but perhaps if he did I am sure that they will be just as good as this one. Act of Valor is a Non Fiction book that is based on a true story with active duty navy seals.

Act of Valor is based on a true story and has a movie to watch to go along with it after you read the book. Act of Valor is a book that was written to just give people an idea of what kind of work seals have to do and how hard their job is. In Act of Valor the seals are after a man named Christo who runs an organization that involves suicide bombs. Christo has a wife and a daughter and he is living a very happy life until he fears the worst. When the seals travel by speed boats across the ocean to catch up with Christo's boat that he is on he fears the worst. Christo knows better than to tell what his men have and are continuing to do and that is making bombs such as suicide vests and planning on blowing up the United States. Once Christo is handcuffed to a chair he does not speak one word.... until he is threatened.

        

I feel that the most important person in this book is Lieutenant Roark because he doesn't get involved in too many conflicts and tries to settle and differences that his seal team has. He is a man who always keeps his team in check and always ready to go on whatever mission they are said to go on. When Roark finds out that his loving wife Jackie becomes pregnant with his first child becomes the changing point in Roark's life. It's the last mission and Roark is planning on leaving it early if he gets the target in time so he can get back to his wife before she has their baby. Roark is so close but they made a huge mistake of missing one of the enemies and it comes back to haunt them... and the unthinkable happens. 

           

I really truly believe that this book is recommended for others to read because it can teach you so many useful life lessons and the most important one is that never take anything for granted. These seals never take anything for granted because they know that they can be killed any minute and any day in their life. This book will leave you heartbroken and speechless and it is an outstanding book. I believe that it is well worth your time to take a few minutes out of your day everyday and read this amazing book.

Book Review by Shawn C.

Down These Mean Streets

The novel I have been reading is called Down These Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas. The story is a memoir of Piri’s life. The book starts out when Piri is twelve and he is living in the Spanish Harlem in 1928. The book is broken down into three different sections, one over his life between Harlem and Long Island, one over his life down south, and one over his life in prison.

               

Piri was born of Puerto Rican and Cuban parents in New York City’s Spanish Harlem. His father was the only one working and had trouble making enough money for the family to live comfortably. Piri encountered a lot of problems involving his race because the kids on his street thought he was black and not Puerto Rican. Piri was forced to stand up for himself but ended up in the hospital after one of the kids threw rocks and dirt in his eyes. By this time Piri’s father had gotten another job and was able to move his family out of the Spanish Harlem and into Long Island. When Piri and his family move to Long Island he hates it and decides to move back to Harlem. Piri is going through a lot of personal conflicts regarding his skin color, “’You understand, Momma-I gotta find me. Maybe if I had come outta you with the same kinda color as them’-my eyes swept across my paddy-fair brothers-‘maybe I wouldn’t feel like I do. Who knows? Maybe I’m jealous. Maybe I hate ‘em for what I’m not-“’ (Piri Thomas, 149-150). Piri decides to move down south with his friend Brew to discover who he is. While Piri is down south he tries really hard to prove to people that he is Puerto Rican and not black. While he is down south his friend Brew disappears and he decides to return to Harlem where he is faced with the death of a family member and decides to return back to Long Island with his father. From there Piri’s life goes downhill as he starts hanging around people that are no good. He gets addicted to drugs and commits a crime that puts him in prison for many years.

               

This book was very inspirational and is proof that one bad decision doesn’t determine the rest of your life and who you are as a person. I would recommend this book to anybody who is going through a hard time in their life and needs a little bit of reassurance. I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody who doesn’t like slang and controversial materials such as drugs, street violence, robberies and shootings. To me, it was a very good book and I enjoyed reading it and learning Piri’s story, I hope you enjoy it as well.  

Book Review by Rylee S.

The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica

Latinos in the United States are bound together as a community through by their experiences in America itself. One writer who has addressed the unity of Latinos is Puerto Rican author and poet Judith Ortiz Cofer. Cofer has written many personalities situations in: Silent Dancing and TheLine of the Sun Cofer.  The poem "The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica” was first published in Americas Review in 1992 and later appeared in a collection of poems, short fiction stories, and personal essays titled The Latin Deli. The Latin Deli is dominant by one subject; the lives of Puerto Ricans in a New Jersey barrio that is also drawn from the author's own childhood.

                 

The books main setting is located in an apartment building called “El Building”. El Building is an apartment building located in Paterson, New Jersey; it is home to many Puerto Rican residents. Many of these Puerto Ricans are facing new challenges adjusting with their new lives in America. From the joy and tragedies of childhood to adulthood most of the stories and poems are told from a perspective of a young girl who faces challenges in her home also in El Building. “Corazon’s Café” is an example and a short story, in the book, that tells about a couple named Corazon and Manuel moving from the islands of Puerto Rico to Paterson, New Jersey – running their own bodega where they supply Rican and other international groceries called Corazon’s Café located across the street from the El Building barrio. But Manuel desires more of disturbing food to his people; he also offers special customs that he has chariest, advice and love. “Manuel was never happier than when he was planning the food to celebrate life and never more beautiful in Corazon’s eyes than when he comforted the grieving widow or orphan with food prepared with all the care and love he had to give”(112). His wife is the one who organizes those desires and puts them to plan. This short story relates The Latino Deli because Corazon offers her shop, Corazon’s Café, to help her community to those who would like help. The Latin Deli is like a shop itself where it identifies the differences between American and Hispanic culture so that the Hispanic immigrants can still have a part of home with them.

               

The Latin Deli is very unique and I recommend this book to everyone; to those who can relate to family struggles or family neglect and even those who simply love/like to read and needs something to read. Marvelously woven, this book is full of the culture, heartfelt, inspiring and heartbreaking stories in the lives of El Building. 

Book Review by Dalena N.

The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a remarkable book that displays a beautiful relationship built on very sad but unavoidable circumstances. Along with The Fault in Our Stars John Green has written many other books such as, Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns, I have not read either of these books but Looking for Alaska has been recommended to me on numerous occasions. There are many themes in this book but I would have to say the battling cancer is by far the biggest.  Both of the main characters are battling cancer, for Hazel she and everyone around her knew that she would eventually lose the fight to cancer it was just a matter of how long she could hold it off. Augustus Waters was a different story though the Doctors said that he had an 80% chance of survival even after he lost his leg.

               

This amazing novel follows a girl named Hazel and her struggle to fight cancer, her family and how they try to cope with it, and her friends that understand exactly what she is going through. After Hazel was diagnosed with cancer she stopped going to school (although she was still taking some college courses) because of this she lost touch with a lot of her friends and became quite antisocial, her mom and dad worried about her and eventually due to doctor recommendation they forced Hazel to go to a support group with a bunch of other kids with cancer or terminal illnesses. After a while of going to the group a new kid was brought by Isaac, another group member (for emotional support) whom she had never had a conversation with aside from the sighs of agreement that they exchanged. The new guys name was Augustus Waters, Hazel was taken back by him he was a handsome young man that had a mysterious ore about and instantly Hazel was interested. Throughout the group the only interaction that they had was intense staring beside the one banter back and forth about Gus’s fear or oblivion. At the end of the group Gus asked Hazel to come to his house and watch a movie in which the main character reminded him of Hazel at first she refused but as their conversation progressed she accepted his offer. They hung out after the movie and they traded their favorite books which later became a big part of the story his being related to the videogame that the always referred to and hers being a huge topic of choice when they seek out the author to try to find the answers for the drop off ending. Hazel has issues being around Gus because she knows that she is going to die and she doesn’t want to hurt him like his last girlfriend did. Along with their friend Isaac they go through their ups and downs and try to find out how to leave their mark on the world after they have all gone.

I enjoyed this book and I definitely think that it was worth reading. There was a lot of hype about this book and I think that that got my expectations really high and that’s why I was a little disappointed by it. The writing style is very strait forward and blunt. The book kind of opened my eyes of what cancer patients go through, I loved how well Hazel and Gus fit together I can just feel how they were brought together for a reason and I think that if I was in their situation and met someone that I went along with like that I would feel like I wouldn’t need anything else in my life for it to be complete. It is a great book and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Book Review by Hanna W.

The Kite Runner

I read the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini who has also written A Thousand Splendid Suns. These books are both staged in the middle east and are set during war times. The Kite Runner is a very sad and almost upsetting novel. Two boys in Afghanistan, Hassan and Amir are best friends as Hassan’s father, Ali is a servant to Amir’s family. Ali and Hassan are Hazaras, a minority in the Afghanistan culture. This causes problems within Amir and Hassan’s friendship when Hassan gets ridiculed for being a Hazara, and Amir gets ridiculed for being friends with a Hazara. Conflict also arises between Amir and his father Baba as Baba believes Amir is weak and often compliments Hassan more than Amir. This causes Amir to enter a kite flying festival in order to win his father’s affection. Amir surprisingly wins the kite running festival and sends Hassan off to retrieve the fallen kite. While Hassan does so he gets raped by a neighborhood bully while others watch, Amir included. This causes some of the biggest tension between Amir and Hassan throughout the entire book. Amir’s lack of aid to Hassan makes their friendship awkward. Amir’s father Baba begins to again take pride in Hassan rather than Amir which again makes Amir feel bad about himself. Amir then sets up Hassan and says he has stolen money from him. Hassan being a loyal friend agrees to the thievery and Baba banishes Hassan and Ali from the house. During this the boys are apart a war breaks out in Afghanistan. Baba and Amir flee to America and Baba’s fortune is lost by doing so. Baba now has to work in a gas station and becomes very sick contracting cancer. As all of this is happening Hassan has married and had a child in Baba and Amir’s old home. Many years later Amir gets a phone call from Baba’s old friend that Amir and his wife have been killed by the Taliban and it is only right for Amir to save their son as he tells Amir that Amir and Hassan are half brothers and that Baba had an affair with Ali’s wife. Amir decides to go back to Afghanistan only to find Hassan’s son captured by a member of the Taliban. We later find out this Taliban member is Assef, the bully who raped Hassan years before. Amir and Assef battle for Amir’s son’s life and to avenge Hassan. Amir still being smaller than Assef has no chance but luckily Amir’s son shoots Assef in the eye with a slingshot granting their escape. Amir wants to get his nephew out of Afghanistan but without proof of Hassan and his wife’s death he is not able to adopt him. Amir had earlier promised not to put his nephew back in an orphanage when he indeed has to while he waits on being granted custody of the boy. Amir’s nephew loses trust in Amir after this and tries to commit suicide. Amir visits his nephew and decides to take him to the kite running festival. Here they bond over their love for Hassan.

I would recommend this book to those with strong stomachs. Books with physical or emotional pain inflicted on those of a different race or culture are hard for me to read as I relate to them to slavery and constantly think of slavery of my people. I would definitely recommend this book to others as the conflicts that arise keep you interested as I get very bored while reading books. There is no “ slow” part to this book as it climaxes to the end. I would highly recommend it to those looking for a book to keep them intrigued.

Book Review by Sydney S.

Fiela's Child

Fiela’s Child

by Dalene Matthee

        

This novel is based in the late 1870’s of Knysna, South Africa. This happens to be a common trend among Matthee’s novels, having several based in Knysna alone. This of course can be attributed to the fact that she was born in Southern Cape, South Africa. Dalene’s story revolves around a little white boy named Benjamin, who was left at Fiela’s doorstep when he was three. It continues on, skipping ahead nine years when a census has to be taken. It should be noted that Fiela is a coloured woman, so questions start to arise and conflicts ensue.

        

Fiela must struggle with having to fight for Benjamin who might have just met his birth parents, white woodworkers. Being set in the late 1800’s, Fiela obviously encounters many problems with race and economic standing. Meanwhile, Benjamin (or Lukas), has to deal with his new surroundings and trying to find his way back home to the only mother he has ever known. Faith is pushed to its limits and desperation boils over. This is a sad story about the severed bond between a mother and her child and the constant obstacles mounting against them as they try to connect once again.

        

Having read all 350 pages of the book, I can say that if you’re in the mood to read, this would be a nice casual read. Matthee does a fantastic job jumping from perspective to perspective without hindering much of the continuing plot. You can sympathize with Fiela, feeling the constant struggles and disappointment that she encounters along her journey. You can learn more and more history about the area of Knysna and find out what people had to suffer through. I found myself halfway through the entire book, not realizing just how many pages I had already finished. If you enjoy these types of novels, I would encourage you to pick up a copy of Fiela’s Child.

Book Review by Danny S.

The Poisonwood Bible

The book, The Poisonwood Bible, is authored by Barbara Kingsolver. Her other works

include Prodigal Summer, Flight Behavior, and numerous others, all of which I do not affiliate

with as a reader, and therefore cannot make an educated comparison with The Poisonwood

Bible.

The Poisonwood Bible follows the lives of a family as they move to The Congo and the resulting events as they attempt to adapt their new community. The overarching theme of the story is family can sometimes, and more often than not, be a source of utmost pain. The book follows the Price Family, comprised of Nathan, Orleanna, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May, as they move to The Congo in an effort to forcibly put Christianity upon the natives.

As an end result, two of the main characters die, and the remains of the family are torn apart because of Nathan’s mislead intentions and corrupt behavior. The natives turned on them and they were forced to retreat back to America. Other key events described in the book are religious and, in an effort to remain a neutrality and upholding fairness, I will not include them.

Don’t read the book. It is dry, slow, boring, and most of all, religious a topic in which many people have many different views upon, and do not necessarily agree with. It drags on for too long, and the constant switching of character perspectives causes confusion regarding the outcome of the story. The point of it is not made clear, and although implicit, could be read in many different ways. In solely my own opinion, this book was horribly written.

Book Review by Talen F.

Rooftops of Tehran

For my second book of the semester I decided to read Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji. Basically the story takes place Tehran, Iran. Where Pasha and Ahmed try to live out normal teenage years during 1973. In this book the major theme I noticed was a forbidden romance between friends. I noticed a lot of other themes too, such as friendship, and war. I noticed a theme for knowledge. This book tries to send the message of when in rough times having your friends, and love will help be a comfort and a burden.

           

The story is about Pasha and his bestfriend Ahmed who have fallen in love with the next door neighbors. Ahmed gets Faheemed and Pasha patiently waits and decides whether or not to proclaim his love to the doctors girl Zari. During 1973 Iran was under control by a cruel dictator, his rules were reinforced by the SAVAK. The doctor is Zari's fiance and Pashas friend. He secretly meets with other people to discuss how to take down the dictator. Well the doctor gets caught taken away and then killed. This leaves the opportunity of Zari open to Pasha. But the conflict of  it, is that the doctor was a close friend and he wouldnt want any discomfort for the doctor even if he was dead. Pasha and Ahmed spend a lot of time on the rooftops thinking about what life is. All of them over the summer end up being awesome friends and lovers.

             

I would defiantly suggest this book. I do believe that you would only enjoy the book entirely if you are a big comedy romance fan. And enjoy learnig about he history of another county. Now if your like me and do! Well then get your butt to the store and go read this book because the story is just absolutly beautiful and I wish all to know a story so passionate and inspiring. I really hope you make the right decision I promise you will not regret it! :)

Book Review by Amber M.

Duma Key

One great story of suspense is Duma Key. Edgar Freemantle, story’s protagonist, suffers a tragic accident, causing him to lose his memory, as well as his right arm. Through the harsh struggles of rehabilitation, he finds that what may be best for him is an escape; an escape to Duma Key, an island off the coast of Florida filled with untouched earth and captivating sunsets. But, as Edgar gets back in the swing of a “usual life” he finds that his dreams, “special” paintings, and phantom arm pains are all somehow connected to the increasingly mysterious island, and those who live there. But something even deeper and darker is hidden within the island's past.

Personally, I thought was a a B-side esc. suspense novel. This caused it to feel uncommonly unique yet pleasant to read, all the more. The way to which the story builds feels natural, and also enjoyable. It's not necessarily a slow start-off because the early rehabilitation events have you build a connection with Edgar, allowing you to really get in and see what he goes through. I've always felt that it's essential in a horror, suspense, or scary novel for there to be a bond between the reader and protagonist, this novel nails that exceptionally.

However, not every other character is fleshed out so well. Some close characters to Edgar possess great detail, but others do not. A solid example of a one of the most detailed secondary characters is Wireman, a newfound friend of Edgar's when he visited Duma. He has a much more grim past than his appearance would have you assume. But not all are given such detail, leaving the cast of characters to feel as if a mixed bag, to say the least.

Aside from particular writing clichés, the story has a lot to offer. As a breath of fresh air in the suspense scene, it's a must read. It features one of the most understandable and "real" characters I've ever encountered in books. The reveals that answer the story's many questions are more than worth your time. Just know that the story isn't 10/10 flawless.

Book Review by Josef S.

A Child Called It

The book a child called it by David Pelzer is about an innocent boy who gets treated unfairly by his unfit mother. The theme of this book is to always have a positive mind and never lose hope.  Other books written by David Pelzer: Lost boy and a boy named David

David Pelzer was burned, beaten, and even cut by his mother all at a young age. David doesn’t understand why his mother all of a sudden treats him this way. She didn’t used to act like this when he was younger he says. The only time David gets treated badly is when his dad is at work. David says his dad is his hero.

David’s punishments get worse and worse by the week. David has so much fear in his mother he refuses to tell “their secrets”. When David goes to school his most popular excuse is “I ran into the door” the staff at David’s school begins to worry and ask questions. David begs that they don’t call his mother he knows that if he gets a Phone call home he’s going to “get it”.

I recommend this book to any/everyone. You should read this book because it is a very interesting book and also a page turner. I enjoy this book because it is a true story, it makes you want to read on and you get the full effect on David’s life.

Book Review by Ary C.

Julie of the Wolves

The book “Julie of the Wolves,” by Jean Craighead George, she has also written “Julie,” and “Julies Wolf Pack,” which are the three books that make up The Julie Trilogy. I think the theme of this book is Man V.S. Nature (by man I mean Julie) because a lot of times in the book Julie has to find clever ways to survive and get by without dying of starvation or other predators.

               

“Julie of the Wolves,” by Jean Craighead George, is about a girl named Julie who ran away due to the fact that she was married off to a man forcefully because of her Eskimo traditions, Julies destination is to go to San Francisco because her pen pal lived there and invited her to come live with them. But while running away she finds herself in the frozen tundra’s of Alaska, so she had to rely on her Eskimo ways in order to stay alive, but soon she started to run out of food, but thankfully she was accepted among a pack of wolves she had been studying for a while and started learning there ways and how they lived. Among the pack of wolves was Amaroq, Kapu, Jello, Silver, Nails, and the 3 pups (Zing, Zat, and Zit). Later, while on her journey she finds out that her father, who is an old traditional Eskimo, was still alive. But when she meets him, it turns out that he had become one of the regular civilians and practically gave up on the Eskimo’s traditions.

               

I recommend that other readers should read this book because the book talks a lot about nature and gives good detail and background information on the Eskimo traditions and there ways. There is a lot of exciting and sometimes sad parts in the book that will make you want to read on more. Also, I think other people should read this book because day to day survival and how she studies and slowly learns the ways of the wolves and becomes part of their pack, and because in many parts of the book there is a lot of intense and riveting parts, like when Amaroq who is leader of the wolf pack sadly gets shot and killed by poachers while making their journey across the tundra! So I think readers should definitely read this book.

Book Review by Alejandro M.