by Alan Gratz
Summary:
When Kamran's brother is accused of being a terrorist, he doesn't believe them. Even when videos come out showing his brother leading attacks on American bases and embassies, Kamran knows it can't be true. When he realizes that his brother is sending him secret messages in the videos, proving he's innocent and working undercover against the terrorists, it's up to Kamran to try and clear his name. Even if it means going against the government in order to save America.
Review:
A great premise, but it does absolutely require a complete stretch of the imagination that any of this could even slightly occur. I do like the idea of the 2 brothers having a code that enables them to figure out the other's plans-though who can remember childhood games in such detail! It's a great action read that packs a lot of twists and turns in it. Great for those who like Andrew Smith or Trent Reedy. There is a bit of violence in there-terrorist killing and talk about a beheading, but little language.
Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Mechanica
bv Betsy Cornwell
Summary:
Nicolette has always been gifted mechanically, she inherited it from her mother. But when her mother dies, and her father remarries and then dies leaving her with a stepmother and stepsisters who turn her into their maid she has had to put her abilities aside. On her 16th birthday, she receives a letter showing her how to get into her mother's old workshop. Maybe, just maybe, she'll be able to use her skills to gain a patron who will help her finance her own shop. But first she has to make it to the ball.
Review:
A great twist on Cinderella. Nicolette is a strong independent character. I enjoyed the love story twist and that she ended up stronger than ever at the end-and didn't need a prince to fix her life! Great for younger readers and older. Give to fans of Gail Carson Levine.
Age Level: 7th Grade
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Summary:
Nicolette has always been gifted mechanically, she inherited it from her mother. But when her mother dies, and her father remarries and then dies leaving her with a stepmother and stepsisters who turn her into their maid she has had to put her abilities aside. On her 16th birthday, she receives a letter showing her how to get into her mother's old workshop. Maybe, just maybe, she'll be able to use her skills to gain a patron who will help her finance her own shop. But first she has to make it to the ball.
Review:
A great twist on Cinderella. Nicolette is a strong independent character. I enjoyed the love story twist and that she ended up stronger than ever at the end-and didn't need a prince to fix her life! Great for younger readers and older. Give to fans of Gail Carson Levine.
Age Level: 7th Grade
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
The Secrets We Keep
by Trisha Leaver
Summary:
When Ella wakes up in the hospital, she can barely remember what happened. When everyone starts calling her Maddy, her twin sister's name, she remembers everything and more. Rather than face her own guilt about the accident, Ella decides to just become Maddy-who was always the better, prettier, more popular twin anyway. As the months pass, Ella has to decide whether or not it's better to come clean about being Maddy, or whether she should give up her own dreams to live her sisters forever.
Review:
A good quick read, it's one of several of the same theme that have come out lately. This one is slightly believable, but also not on a lot of levels. Ella ultimately comes clean with few real reprecussions, which is also a little unbelievable. Overall its good for anyone who likes realistic fiction that's not too deep.
Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Realistic
Rot and Ruin
by Jonathan Maberry
Summary:
It's been 14 years since First Night, the night the dead came back to life. Now 15, Benny reluctantly agrees to join the 'family business' and become a zombie hunter like his brother Tom. But life in the Rot and Ruin isn't anything like Benny thinks, and he's about to discover that the zombies aren't the only monsters out there. Just because the world ended doesn't mean that the only people left are good.
Review:
A diferent kind of zombie book. Tom addresses the zombies not as 'monsters' but as the people they used to be, which is not something you normally see. It's a good read even for those who don't like the genre.
A diferent kind of zombie book. Tom addresses the zombies not as 'monsters' but as the people they used to be, which is not something you normally see. It's a good read even for those who don't like the genre.
Age Level: 7th Grade
Genre: Horror
Black Dove, White Raven
by Elizabeth Wein
Summary:
Emilia and Teo's lives changed the instant war came to Ethopia. It was supposed to be a place they could be free, that they and their mothers could live without the genderism or racism that dominated 1930's America. Now Em and Teo find themselves in the middle of the conflict between Ethopia and Italy, and they are about to discover how many things are worth fighting for.
Review:
Another wonderful read by Wein. Em and Teo are wonderful characters, and the opportunities they have are rare for both their genders and race in this time period. A good read for historical fiction lovers.
Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
Emilia and Teo's lives changed the instant war came to Ethopia. It was supposed to be a place they could be free, that they and their mothers could live without the genderism or racism that dominated 1930's America. Now Em and Teo find themselves in the middle of the conflict between Ethopia and Italy, and they are about to discover how many things are worth fighting for.
Review:
Another wonderful read by Wein. Em and Teo are wonderful characters, and the opportunities they have are rare for both their genders and race in this time period. A good read for historical fiction lovers.
Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Friday, March 13, 2015
Rites of Passage
by Joy Hensley
Summary:
Sam has never backed down from a bet. When her now deceased brother Amos bet her she couldn't be the first female to graduate from the prestigious Denmark Military Academy, she took it as a challenge to be completed no matter what. Now, one of only 5 girls accepted to the Academy, she's finding that not everyone is as accepting of women as they should be. As a secret society puts moves into play to eliminate her and her fellow female recruits in any way possible, Sam will be lucky to finish out the year alive.
Review:
I wasn't sure what to make of this book. At first I thought it was going to be a realistic drama about a girl dealing with the rigors and difficulties of attending a male oriented military academy and all that that implies. I wasn't a huge fan of the whole secret society aspect, it added kind of a silly element that was wholly unnecessary to the plot. Other than that it was a great story about overcoming odds and believing in yourself.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
Sam has never backed down from a bet. When her now deceased brother Amos bet her she couldn't be the first female to graduate from the prestigious Denmark Military Academy, she took it as a challenge to be completed no matter what. Now, one of only 5 girls accepted to the Academy, she's finding that not everyone is as accepting of women as they should be. As a secret society puts moves into play to eliminate her and her fellow female recruits in any way possible, Sam will be lucky to finish out the year alive.
Review:
I wasn't sure what to make of this book. At first I thought it was going to be a realistic drama about a girl dealing with the rigors and difficulties of attending a male oriented military academy and all that that implies. I wasn't a huge fan of the whole secret society aspect, it added kind of a silly element that was wholly unnecessary to the plot. Other than that it was a great story about overcoming odds and believing in yourself.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Wicked Thing
by Rhiannon Thomas
Summary:
You might think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but I bet you never thought of it from Aurora's perspective. Asleep for a hundred years, she's been awoken by 'true love's kiss,' and now is expected to marry him. While she was asleep her kingdom fell to pieces, and the new royal family expect her to conform to their ways and unite the kingdom. But Aurora is done doing what she's told, and is ready to step up and protect her people in her own way.
Review:
An imaginative take on a well known tale, I liked the new Aurora. Rather than meekly doing what she's told she stands up to those around her in her own way. She doesn't just submit or believe what she's told, though she does show a bit too much reliance on Finnegan after disbelieving everyone else. There is a lot of subplots going on in the book that could use more explanation. I thought the ending was a bit too quick, it seemed like there wasn't much segue-way between the novel and the ending, she just kind of decides and everything falls into place. Hopefully the sequel will remedy this!
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
You might think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but I bet you never thought of it from Aurora's perspective. Asleep for a hundred years, she's been awoken by 'true love's kiss,' and now is expected to marry him. While she was asleep her kingdom fell to pieces, and the new royal family expect her to conform to their ways and unite the kingdom. But Aurora is done doing what she's told, and is ready to step up and protect her people in her own way.
Review:
An imaginative take on a well known tale, I liked the new Aurora. Rather than meekly doing what she's told she stands up to those around her in her own way. She doesn't just submit or believe what she's told, though she does show a bit too much reliance on Finnegan after disbelieving everyone else. There is a lot of subplots going on in the book that could use more explanation. I thought the ending was a bit too quick, it seemed like there wasn't much segue-way between the novel and the ending, she just kind of decides and everything falls into place. Hopefully the sequel will remedy this!
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 7th Grade
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