BHS is a YALSA Library this year! The students of the Book Club are reading Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of books before they are available for sale! Then OUR students will review these books and help select the top 10 Young Adult Books of the year! We are one of 15 clubs in the country and the ONLY high school in Illinois reviewing for YALSA!
I Love My Librarians!!!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Read anything GREAT lately?
We want to hear what YOU think of the books. Submit your post telling us about the book you're recommending and why you liked it! Here are some of the book covers of the books recommended by BHS students. To see more about these books, check our BHS Catalog
53 comments:
Anonymous
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Beautiful city of the dead was a phenomenal book. It takes a commonly appreciated subject, music, and adds unique twist. It was expertly written and has a lot of good word choice. The invention of the idea of Ghost metal adds a colossal amount of creativity and interest. Will Mrs. Webb p.4
My recommendation would be The Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. This story is a sequel to Westerfeld’s previous story, The Uglies. If you have read The Uglies, you will definitely enjoy reading the latest of brave Tally Youngblood’s adventures in The Pretties. Since Tally’s last words in The Uglies ended with “’Hi, I’m Tally Youngblood. Make me pretty.’” You begin reading The Pretties with the hopes of gaining a bit more insight into Tally’s new life as a pretty. This story kicks off with Tally living it up and partying in the Pretty Towers every single night. At first, Tally doesn’t remember the awful consequence to being a pretty that David’s parents had discovered in the previous story. However, she receives a rude awakening when her past seems to dig itself up put of the ground and wriggles its way back into her life. On top of taking her adventures to the highest possible risk level in order to get into a new club, Tally must face her past. Even so, Tally finds she is not alone when the leader of the new club, Zane, agrees to help her. Zane and Tally take pills to separate the lesions in their brains from the pretty operation. The two teens went under suspicion of the Specials and got two metal tracking devices slapped onto their wrists even as they venture off into the wilderness to obtain more pills and cure the lesions that the operation causes in the pretty’s brains. Even so, things get a little out of control and Zane seems to be getting as sick as a dog. As Zane’s condition worsens, Tally finds it harder and harder to travel and reach their goal. In the end, Tally must leave Zane behind because another tracking device had been embedded in his tooth and the special camp had been discovered. If you have enjoyed The Uglies, you will definitely enjoy The Pretties. Malissa, Mrs. Webb, period 5
I recommend the book Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson This book was about how the yellow fever spreads throughout the Philadelphia area. The story follows a 16-year-old girl who must take care of her mother and grandfather until she gets the yellow fever. The book does an excellent job portraying how certain times can bring out the best and worst in people. This book entices you to read more so you find out who dies next. While you read the terrible conditions that sick people had to endure in 1793, you find yourself loving all the modern things that have been invented. You feel so grateful you can take a shower after a long day. Fever, 1793 depicts how people would separate their differences and come together for an important cause. Sydney, Mrs. Webb, 5th Hour.
Midnight for Charlie Bone is engaging and will attract any reader of any age. Charlie Bone is a young boy presented with an amazing endowment, the ability to jump into pictures Presented with this endowment, Charlie faces many unusual challenges at Bloors Academy. Although Charlie hates Bloors, there is nothing he can possibly do to escape his menacing aunts. Once you finish reading Midnight for Charlie Bone you won’t be able to wait to jump into Charlie Bone and the Time Twister.
Marked is a book about vampires. That would be part of the reason why I first picked it up. This is the story about a world where vampires are known and common, but not accepted. When teenager Zoey gets marked as a vampire one day at school, she becomes an outcast among the friends she once trusted completely. The only person not freaked out by her now is her “almost ex-boyfriend”, Heath. Now that Zoey is marked, she must move into the House of Night, the school for vampires. She must make new friends and a new life for herself, but that is the least of her worries. Once a person is marked, they will either turn into a vampire, or their body will reject the change and they will die. On top of this worry, Zoey finds that she is not like the other fledgling vampires. She finds that she has already acquired the blood lust that is common mostly in adult vampires. That she, a fledgling, should crave blood already is not unheard of but rare. This blood lust could be putting her human friends in danger as well. But most unusual of all is that Zoey was chosen specially by the Goddess Nyx who came to Zoey in a vision. With all this change on her shoulders, Zoey is lucky to have some new friends to turn to. Not to mention the attention of the hottest guy in the school, Erik Night. This mix of teenage romance, vampires, and supernatural powers makes Marked a favorite of mine. The book is fast paced and pulls you in from the very beginning. Mother and daughter, PC and Kristin Cast, keep you reeled into the story as the drama slowly unfolds to come to a startling climax. Even better is that this book is part of a series called the House of Night. The second book in the series is Betrayed which is even better than the first book. The third book is yet to come out. I believe it releases on March 4 and the title is Chosen. -Zeba, Mrs. Webb, per. 5
If you are looking for a good Biography to read I would recommed Elizabeth I of Englang by Kerrily Sapet. This book is about Queen Elizabeth's life from when she was born to when she died. You learn a lot about her life and how it was growing up in England and being a queen with no king by her side. This book also tells a lot about the history of england and about the people that live there. When I finished the book I felt like I had learned a lot about Queen Elizabeth and England. Taylor Ms. Webb per. 2
If you are looking for a really interesting, but very odd book, the Pretties by Scott Westerfeld is definitely for you. I didn't read the Uglies, so I felt I was missing some information but it really didn't matter because once you get hooked on the Pretties, it really doesn't matter. The Pretties is about a girl named Tally who is new to New Pretty town. She is all about have a good time and partying as she is voted into the Crims clique. It's all fun and games until she finds someone in her new town form her old town named Croy. Croy tells Tally that he hid something for her and she must find it as he undergoes surgery to become a pretty. Zane, another girl from New pretty town, and who is friends with Tally, somehow knows Croy and she insists on helping Tally find this hidden clue. The book even has a twist in the ending which made it all the more better. I loved this book and I really wish I would've read the frist book of this triology so I could get the full effect. Will I read the next book? That's not even a question. This book was so good and I am expecting great things from the next book. Anna Ms. Webb Period 2
My recommendation is Going for the Record by Julie A. Swanson. Leah Weiczynkowski, a seventeen-year-old girl, is obsessed with soccer. She goes to tryout for a national team the summer of her senior year that she was rejected from the year before. When she finds out that she has made the team, she goes to tell her biggest supporter, her dad. As she tells her dad the exciting news, her dad has some not so exciting news to tell her. Leah’s dad tells her that he has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has only three months to live. Shocked by the news, Leah is devastated and has a very hard time with friends, family, and soccer. While her dad is getting worse, Leah wonders if she should continue soccer or if she should help out with her family more. Hoping she made the right choice, Leah quits soccer and uses her free time to help her family go through this tragedy. This book is filled with excitement, sadness, and intensity. It is a great book to sit down and enjoy!
It was the last night David Beck had seen his wife alive. The scene still haunts him eight years later: the sensation of drowning, muffled cries for help, and the unforgettable memory of loss. Everyone tells him that it’s time to move on but it’s impossible for David. One day, he received an e-mail that contained a secret only his wife, Elizabeth, knew. Beck is doubtful that his wife is still alive but then he sees her in a webcam saying “tell no one”. He is finally convinced that Elizabeth is alive and later plans on meeting her in person. But, the people who planned on murdering Elizabeth eight year ago see her return as a another chance. David Beck has to face obstacles against the people he loves and himself. From physically assaulting a police officer to a life or death choice, David does everything he can to solve Elizabeth’s murder mystery.
The first reason I chose to read Tell No One was because a BHS librarian recommended it to me. She explained the plot and it sounded interesting. After reading it, I realized that it was a page turner because every page started our as a mystery and ended with possible solutions. Also, I could picture myself with the characters, solving the mystery and unraveling clues. This story has two plots that eventually combine together which gave me more to soak in. Overall, Tell No One is a great murder mystery that gave me chills but also put me at the edge of my seat.
One of the best books I have ever read was My Sister’s Keeper by Jodie Picoult. The book was about a young thirteen-year-old girl named Anna, who’s older sister has been diagnosed with leukemia. She was created so that she is a perfect bone marrow match for her sister, and to her it seems as if that was the only reason she was even born. In order to try to get more independence, she files a law suit against her parents for control over her body. The book is well written in the points of views of seven different people. Anna’s mother and father, her older brother, her lawyer, another woman assigned to help the case out, her sister, and herself. It is a book that truly shows how much love family members can have for each other. My Sister’s Keeper is one of those books that you can’t seem to stop reading. It was so interesting for me to read that I was thinking about what was coming next in the story during the day and couldn’t wait to pick it up again when I got home. You start to understand how trying and depressing it is to be living in a family where you don’t know if one of your family members is going to live to see the next day, or if you are going to be going to the hospital tomorrow for an emergency surgery. I recommend this book to all people who love a dramatic, well-written book.
Acceleration by Graham McNamee is a great thrill seeking adventure story. It is about a boy named Duncan with what he thinks is the worst job ever. He works at the lost and found of a subway station where nothing ever changes until one day he comes across someone's diary. He begins to read it and finds that it is about an anonymous serial killer's secrets. It is filled with newspaper clippings of crimes that the killer has committed. Duncan doesn't think the cops will help find out who it is so he feels like it is up to him to stop this criminal from doing anymore harm. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes high energy mystery stories. The best part of the book was how the mystery slowly unfolded. It was so suspenseful throughout the whole story that I couldn't stop reading it. It is one of the first books that I have ever read where I actually felt like I was there. Overall, the book was amazing and I think anyone who reads it will think the same.
If you are looking for a great, quick read, I recommend The Giver by Lois Lowry. It is about a futuristic society that regulates every thing you do. For example, when you are a Twelve, they tell you what job you will train for; you do not get to choose. Jonas, who will soon become a Twelve, is anxious about what job he will be assigned. At the ceremony, he is given the job of Receiver of Memory. While training for his job, Jonas comes to some shocking conclusions about life, death, and love, and realizes that not everything is what it seems. In addition, in the end, he goes on one of the most risky journeys ever to change the community forever. I felt that the author did a great job leaving some of the ending open so you can make your own conclusion on what happens next. I am looking forward to reading the next book Gathering Blue to find out what really happens.
The book “Godless” is about a young teenager named Jason Bock who is growing up in a small town and is unsure about his religion. Jason practices Catholicism but doesn’t believe that Catholicism is fully factual. One day Jason decides that he is going to create his own religion called Chutengodianism. The religion starts out small and eventually gets bigger and bigger. The religion is centralized around worshipping water towers. The way Jason puts it is “all life needs water and water comes from water towers therefore water towers equal God.” Jason and his religious cult go out on adventures and worship the water tower in there small town. They hold midnight mass atop the water tower and have religious celebrations on it as well. The religion is working out really well until one day atop the water tower mayhem breaks lose. The Hight Priest of the religion, Henry Stagg, decides to do the unthinkable. Atop the water tower Henry decides to break into the God’s head and explore. Worst comes to worst when the teenagers go in the water tower and are unable to get out. Overall I really enjoyed the book “Godless” it is a good story that could relate to any teenager who practices any religion. I have questioned my religion before and have wondered if it is the right one for me. The problems Jason faced are much like the problems I’ve been through in my life. I give this book three and half stars out of five.
The book “Godless” is about a young teenager named Jason Bock who is growing up in a small town and is unsure about his religion. Jason practices Catholicism but doesn’t believe that Catholicism is fully factual. One day Jason decides that he is going to create his own religion called Chutengodianism. The religion starts out small and eventually gets bigger and bigger. The religion is centralized around worshipping water towers. The way Jason puts it is “all life needs water and water comes from water towers therefore water towers equal God.” Jason and his religious cult go out on adventures and worship the water tower in there small town. They hold midnight mass atop the water tower and have religious celebrations on it as well. The religion is working out really well until one day atop the water tower mayhem breaks lose. The Hight Priest of the religion, Henry Stagg, decides to do the unthinkable. Atop the water tower Henry decides to break into the God’s head and explore. Worst comes to worst when the teenagers go in the water tower and are unable to get out. Overall I really enjoyed the book “Godless” it is a good story that could relate to any teenager who practices any religion. I have questioned my religion before and have wondered if it is the right one for me. The problems Jason faced are much like the problems I’ve been through in my life. I give this book three and half stars out of five.
If you are interested in a heart grabbing story of a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany then The Book Thief By: Markus Zusak is a great book to look up. This story is told by death about a girl’s life growing up in Germany during World War II. In the book, a young girl named Liesel Meminger is being taken away from her family, and sent to her new foster parent’s home. During the course of the story Liesel experiences many horrible things. The main thing that Liesel does through out the novel is that she steals books. Also she is trying to learn how to read and is getting help from her new father. Her life suddenly changes when her new family helps a Jew hide in their basement. She becomes incredibly close to everyone in her life and really gets to know them well. Also she continues on reading her stolen books. Like any family in that time era Liesel’s goes through many challenges and tragic events. I personally loved this book. It had many historical references and the way the story was told made it interesting. Liesel Meminger is a girl that you would want to meet after reading this book and see what she is like. Zusak grasps many concepts and places them very well in the story. Overall it was a very well written novel that I would recommend to anyone. Hannah Ms. Giannakopoulos
If you’re looking for an outdoor thrill ride Peak, by Roland Smith, is the book for you. Peak is about a young boy, ironically named Peak, who is an avid mountain climber. Sadly enough he is caught in the concrete jungle of New York City. Peak begins climbing skyscrapers, because of the lack of mountains in his area, at an early age. Unfortunately one day he is careless and is caught in the act of climbing a large skyscraper and is punished. At the trial that threatens to put him in juvenile hall for a year or more of his young life his professional mountaineering and neglectful father suddenly shows up and invites him on a trip of a lifetime and more importantly an escape from jail. Peak’s dad is giving him the opportunity to be able to climb Mount Everest. Peak then journeys to foreign lands and is engulfed in business propositions, betrayal, politics, and most of all a lessening strength for the struggle to survive. I personally recommend this book because there are no dull parts and I always wanted to keep reading, it made me feel like I was out climbing the mountain and struggling through Peak’s adventures. Roland Smith vividly describes the scenery and every character in great detail. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Hatchet by Gary Paulson or somebody who is looking to enjoy the outdoors through a book. I would give this book 4 ½ stars out of 5, and will definitely be looking for a sequel in the future. Ben Ms. Giannakopoulos, period 7
Rock Star Superstar by Blake Nelson is a great novel for any musician. The book is based on a normal high school kid who is musically talented. He ends up joining a band made of one of his best friends and two brothers that play music that is nowhere near his jazz style. The book is very creative and is very hard to stop reading. It really focuses on the journey that many bands face going from local heroes to nation wide stars. However, I would not recommend this book to anybody that is not into music.
The Strangler By: William Landay During the 1960’s a mass murderer called the Boston Strangler emerged. This murderer killed each of his victims brutally by strangling them. This book is a fiction story of a family that was affected by the Strangler and the other crimes that took place in Boston. The Daley family was a normal family until the murder of Joe Daley Senior. Joe Senior worked as a police officer and as a homicide detective. Very quickly the Daley family was changed. Joe Daley the eldest son followed his father’s footsteps by being a cop. Michael Daley was the middle child who was a Harvard graduate working for the Attorney General. Ricky Daley was the youngest and was a professional theft. Their mother Margaret, saddened by the death of her husband, fell into the arms of Joe Daley Senior’s partner, Brendan Conroy. Shortly after the death of Joe Senior, the Strangler struck in the Daley family. Amy, Ricky’s girlfriend was killed. Michael, already infatuated with finding the true murderer of his father, set out to find the true strangler. While Michael was solving murder cases, Ricky and Joe struggled with the Boston mob. Ricky had stolen jewels from clients of the mob and Joe owed several thousands of dollars to the mob. The struggles of the Daley family create a very exciting, suspenseful novel. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys crime mysteries. This book gave readers a chance to solve the mystery themselves, which is why I really liked this book. This book is never dull and you will always be reading to find out what happens next. Overall I’m glad I got the chance to read this novel. Clare, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Summary In the book Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon is the mentally challenged main character. He volunteers to take place in an operation that will enhance your intelligence drastically. His progress is compared to Algernon’s, a lab mouse who had the operation earlier. The professors conducting the experiment however still aren’t sure if the skills and knowledge gained will last or fade over time. Reflection Charlie Gordon’s life story will inspire others to accept people for who they are. It was so interesting going through all Charlie’s experiences and changes with him. I think it’s creative that instead of chapters, the book is divided into the progress reports Charlie has to write. I recommend this book to both boys and girls of all ages.
Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho was definitely a life changing book. It is about a girl named veronika who decides to commit suicide. She finds herself at Villette, a hospital for the mentally ill. She is told she only has a limited amount of time to live as a result to her overdosage. I loved the how the ripple effect is presented in this book and how her actions effect people in ways no one would think of. It is a novel of redemption and Veronika realizes things about herself she never knew. Lauren (Ms. Giannakopoulos)
Extras by Scott Westerfeld is the fourth book of the Uglies Series. It has been a few years after Tally Youngblood saved the world from the strict rules and roles that everyone should follow. Now Aya Fuse is living in a world that is one big popularity contest and whoever has the biggest scandal gets the most votes. Her rank of 451,369 is so low that she is a total nobody or known as an Extra. Aya spies on a clique of girls who pull dangerous and crazy stunts, so she can kick an exciting story to show the world and boost her popularity rank. While hanging out with the Sly Girls she discovers an even bigger story than the secretive clique. Aya discovers un-human like creatures hiding supplies in a mountain that could be used to destroy the world. It is now up to Aya to find out who these creatures are and stop them from destroying the world before it is too late. But in order to save the world, she will need some help from an old friend. Tally Youngblood. Extras was a thrilling and exciting book. Every page and chapter made you want to keep reading more and never put the book down until it was done. The beginning was very exciting and suspenseful. When Tally Youngblood came into the story, it seemed like she was taking it over. The story was then more focused on Tally’s decisions rather than Aya Fuse’s own thoughts and opinions to the situations. Also the ending wasn’t as good as I expected it to be. It raised more questions than answers and was a little disappointing. Although the book’s ending wasn’t the greatest, I still think it was good and had a lot of action and suspense. I would recommend Extras to everyone who has read the Uglies Series and whoever didn’t read it yet should go to the library and check them out. Alyssa, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Deadline is a book much different from what I expected. I normally stick to “girl” books with tons of gossip and relationships, so I figured I would definitely not like Deadline, but surprisingly I did. Deadline is about an eighteen year-old boy, named Ben Wolf. Ben is your typical teenage boy, he hangs around town and is a fantastic athlete, but something happens that is about to change his life. Ben finds out early in the story that he only has one year to live, which just so happens to be his senior year at Trout High. With this new information Ben decides to take risks and tell no one about his illness. Will his decision to tell no one hurt him? Or will it help make his last year perfectly normal? You’ll just have to read Deadline to find out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sports, adventure, and risk, and can possibly shed a few tears. Deadline is a great book and most definitely a must-read!
Deadline is a book much different from what I expected. I normally stick to “girl” books with tons of gossip and relationships, so I figured I would definitely not like Deadline, but surprisingly I did. Deadline is about an eighteen year-old boy, named Ben Wolf. Ben is your typical teenage boy, he hangs around town and is a fantastic athlete, but something happens that is about to change his life. Ben finds out early in the story that he only has one year to live, which just so happens to be his senior year at Trout High. With this new information Ben decides to take risks and tell no one about his illness. Will his decision to tell no one hurt him? Or will it help make his last year perfectly normal? You’ll just have to read Deadline to find out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sports, adventure, and risk, and can possibly shed a few tears. Deadline is a great book and most definitely a must-read!
“Washington Square” by Henry James is a very interesting book for anyone who enjoys brilliant character development. It is about a plain girl named Catherine Sloper, she is the only children of the very wealthy Dr. Austin Sloper and lives a frankly dull and boring life in the constant shadow of her deceased mother. But along comes the poor yet very clever and good looking Morris Townsend and Catherine falls very hard in love. “Washington Square” has all the qualities of a classic romance; it has the young couple, the disapproving father, as well as the encouraging aunt passing notes between the lovers unseen by Dr. Sloper’s ever watchful eyes. But it’s not a book of romance, it’s a book about money and disseat, but in some ways at the very end courage. I greatly enjoyed “Washington Square”, but I could easily be blinded by my love of Daisy Miller, Henry James’s perhaps most famous story. In fact, recently on the internet I read on a message board that many people found the book to be rather boring, but then again as I’m sure anyone who has every been on a chat room or message board there are many very dumb people on the internet as well. “Washington Square” is filled with excellent character development, thoughtful observations of the human mind not in mention beautifully detailed scenarios. I’d recommend “Washington Square” to any serious reader. Emily Hyatt Ms Giannakopoulos Period 3
Deadline, written by Chris Crutcher, describes the life of Ben Wolf. At the beginning of his senior year at Trout High School, Ben is diagnosed with a terminal illness that leaves him with only one year to live. Knowing about the illness, he decides to keep it secret from the world except for his doctor and his psychiatrist. He tries to make the best of his remaining year by doing things he would never have dreamed of doing. He tries out for the football team (weighing just over 120 pounds) and even gets a date with Dallas Suzuki (the girl he has had a crush on for years). The book included a lot about sports, but still had a very interesting plot for all readers. I was very interested in this book because it kept on making me think about how I would live my life if I only had one year to live.
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova, is an incredibly well-written and well-researched book. The story begins with the narrator finding a mysterious book in her father's library, This seemingly insignificant discovery triggers a chain of events that unravel the history of her family as well as some shocking revelations about Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula. The author uses vivid descriptions throughout the novel to portray what life in England during the 1970's, as well as what life was like during the time of Vlad Tepes. However, this book is no light read. The information is very dense and thought provoking. If you want to this, be prepared to actually think. Maddie Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 3
If you are looking for a book with love, suspense, and vampires, then Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the book for you. Bella is a young girl living in the town of phoenix with her mom when she decides that she wants to live in Forks with her dad up north. She hates Forks with a passion, but she’d rather be there than living at home with her mom and boyfriend traveling. Bella believes that Forks is a boring and depressing town until she meets Edward Cullen. The Cullen family is seen as strange and unusual because they have separated themselves from everyone else in Forks. Not only are they unusual, they are also vampires. It doesn’t take long for Bella to become attracted to Edward’s charm and beauty. Edward also falls in love with Bella, but there’s a catch. Edward craves her blood and could potentially kill her at anytime they are together. He knows that he puts her in danger, but there love for each other is too strong to keep them apart. The suspense builds throughout this book with the dangers that are placed upon Edward and Bella. I thought this book was a creative and fantastic love story filled with suspense, and I really liked it. This is definitely a book that I recommend to anyone looking for a love story.
The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, is a novel about a fourteen-year-old girl named Susie Salmon. Susie tells her story from heaven, a tale that is both haunting and at the same time full of hope. The cause of her death was rape and murder by a man named Mr. Harvey, as we find out very early on in the book. In the weeks following her murder, Susie watches the life on Earth she left behind. She watches her family and friends trying to cope with the horrible truth that is her death. With the family in denial, Susie has a hard time coping with the fact that her life with these loved ones is really over as she explores this strange new place called heaven. This novel was great, in my opinion. I thought it was suspenseful, and kept me wondering what would happen next. Though, it is not a book for those with weak hearts. The Lovely Bones is a pretty black tragedy. It is full of horrible ideas, like rape and murder, but it really doesn’t go into those parts too much. I think it attempts to more focus on the nicer things, like Susie watching her sister receive her first kiss. It gives a great perspective from the families of murder victims, who suffer so much for the rest of their lives. So, I recommend this to basically anybody that enjoys mysteries. In conclusion, The Lovely Bones was really sad, but intriguing at the same time. I would give it four out of five stars. -Sara C. Ms. G, Period 3
The Last of the Mohicans, by James Fennimore Cooper, is a great book. There isn't a main character, but there is a group of very important characters. The book is set in the French and Indian War. It takes place around Lake Champlaign and Lake George, which is present day New York. Three men, Hawk-eye, Chingachgook, and Uncas (Chingachgook and Uncas are Indians), are escorting Cora and Alice Munro to their father at Fort William Henry. They fight through the struggles of life in the woods. Cora and Alice are accompanied by Major Duncan Heyward and David Gamut. These two are white men who do not know how to live like the Indians. This leads to many problems for the group. This book is action packed but has a very slow beginning. Also, James Fennimore Cooper spends a lot of the time describing scenes in the book. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves action and can sit through reading about what a scene looks like for a couple paragraphs. The book has a very good storyline and it has a very satisfactory ending. Overall, it is a very good book.
If you enjoy books with common themes like friendship, betrayal, and escape, then Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini would be the perfect book for you. Amir is a young boy whose life is filled with luxuries. Growing up in Afghanistan, his days are spent playing with Hassan, his family’s servant’s son. After Amir did nothing to stop a terrible situation from occurring to Hassan, the lives of both boys are filled with pain. Soon, Amir escapes with his father to America to avoid the chaos in Afghanistan from the invading Soviet army. After many years, Amir returns to his home to complete a task that can restore his honor and make up for his haunting past. If he survives. This book was amazing, I could never put it down and took it everywhere with me.
When Tom Joad gets out of prison, he expects a warm welcome from his family back home. Back at home however, he finds his house completely deserted. Tom discovers that he and his family of farmers were kicked off of their land on account of the Dust Bowl. The Joads must travel from the scarred land of Oklahoma, to the fertile land of California. The journey brings out the best in some, and the worst in others, and will test the bonds that hold the Joad family together. They, and countless other families must struggle to survive the harsh ordeal that is inflicted upon them.
The Grapes of Wrath is thorough, and well written. It is truly epic. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy writing by John Steinbeck, and anyone who appreciates American history and American literature.
What isn't there to say about the epic novel by Stephen King, 'Salem's Lot. It may seem cliche but it is indeed one of those books you just dont want to stop reading. If you want a little fright and some good fun mystery then look no further. The book takes place in 'Salem's Lot or Jerusalem's Lot. Where the writer Ben Mears plans to write a shelf buster novel on the Marsten house. A very mysterious home that has been cursed with nothing but trouble. While Ben visits his old town he meets Susan Norton, whom he begins to become fond of. They begin to date and seem to be in true love. Unfortunately while it seems to be some happy time for them some very strange things are happening in 'Salem's Lot. Two very shady men move into the Marsten house, and legend has it whenever anybody moved into the home people either were killed or went missing. And how about it that right after they move in a dog in found dead and hanging from the cemetary gates. Shortly after that it gets worse. Now Ralphie and Danny Glick are attacked by something unknown in the woods. Ralphie goes missing and pronounced dead after days of searching, while Danny later suffers from delayed shock falls into a coma and dies days later. All of the older citizens begin to talk about it being the two new men. While the constable on the other hand has his eye on the two men and Ben Mears due to him showing up at this time to. Then all of a sudden the terror seems to stop for a long while and nothing happens. Then things eventually really start to get nuts and everything has just seems to just get out of control and that is as much of the ending as I can permit you to know the rest is for you to find out yourself. So if you want that little bit of terror as you read, and you really want a book to puzzle you and essentially force you to make predictions and assumptions with out you even consiously knowing it. I highly recommend 'Salem's Lot to you!
If you want to read a book that is filled with vampires, suspense and adventure, I recommend Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. This is the third book in the series. As a continuation from the second book, Bella Swan is forced to decide whether to become a vampire and stay with Edward forever or stay human and be with Jacob. The catch is that she has only given herself until graduation to make her decision. Bella is already a senior in high school. And if being in love with both a vampire and a werewolf aren’t enough, Bella needs to protect herself from more danger. Many more threats are placed upon both Bella and Edward. In the end, Bella must make her final decision. She can love Edward for as long as her heart stops beating or she can keep a regular human life with her other love, Jacob, the werewolf. It’s going to take more than charm & beauty to win her over. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend reading the first two books so you know what is going on and so you have a better understanding of the situations occurring. Don’t let the size of the book keep you from reading this. This is such an amazing book. I recommend this to everyone. Chloe C. Ms. Giannakopoulos
This book is about Eragon, it is the second book in the series. This is a really cool book because it takes place in two parts, Roran’s story and Eragon’s story. It is so cool because there is a chapter or two from Roran’s story then a chapter of two from Eragon’s story. In this book Roran has to save his town and his girlfriend. He believes that the only way to do that is to get the entire town to evacuate the city, and they do this, they then cross mountains and seas. In the end of the book, though, he hasn’t finished his task. Eragon moves from a dwarf city to the elf city. There he and Saphira, his dragon, learn how to be riders. They both then go to a battle and Eragon finds Roran there. Then in a dramatic cliff hanger it ends, hehe I’m not going to tell you how the book ends. I thought that this was a great book. I was constantly on the edge of my seat; it was filled with adventure and huge surprises. There was a slight hint of romance but not enough to make it weird, the boy just flirted with the girl a little. I would though recommend that if you are going to read this book you should first read the previous book, Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Overall, this was an amazing book.
If you want a quality read filled with suspense and plot twists that parallel some of the greatest books of all time, then The Broker by John Grisham is the book for you. It is a story about a man named Joel Backman, whose name changes to Marco near the middle of the novel, who used to be the one of the most powerful men in Washington. The first meeting with the Broker would cost almost five thousand dollars. He, however, managed to get his hands on one of the most powerful satellite systems in the world, or above it for that matter. He got greedy and tried to sell it to the highest bidder, and then it went downhill for him there. He was caught by the U.S., who developed the system, and they arrested him for treason as well as many other crimes. He was soon placed in solitary confinement for six years. But after that time frame, he was unexpectedly pardoned and transferred to Italy. He soon has to learn to adapt to the hostile environment crawling with assassins and spies. John Grisham weaves a web of intertwining stories that all coincide at the end of the novel that makes an ending more satisfying and surprising that I was incredibly impressed. The suspense leaves you on the edge of your seat and even the calm scenes keep you nervous for what is coming next. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to be surprised and anyone who just enjoys a good read.
What would your life be like if you only had one day to live? Would things be different? For Ben Wolf this question has become reality. Being a senior in a small town called Trout; Ben has just been told he has a year to live by his doctor. Ben refuses to get treatment for his illness and doesn’t tell anyone about his fait. Ben doesn’t make the journey by himself, his loyal continuants Hey-soos is there through out the entire story. Ben discovers love with Dallas, a local girl who “has it all”. He allows change to over come him by becoming a football player. He lives a bit of a double life, one as an old man about to die, and one as a young adult. His quest for knowledge makes this story hysterical to read. Will the burden of his secret, along with Rudy’s and Dallas’ be too much for Ben?
I would recommend this book to anyone. I loved it. The book was so funny because of the smart-alec responses from Ben and the way everyone reacts to what he does. It’s not your average story; it has a bit of sports, drama, comedy, romance, and history all together. It keeps you hooked though out the entire book. When you think you’ve figured out the plot, it changes. I would give it four stars. Anyone could easily read this book and relate to it.
The book Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold was a book full of mystery suspense and hope. In the beginning of the book, you find that a young girl by the name of Susie Salmon has been raped and murdered by a man named Mr. George Harvey. Throughout the whole story you watch the Salmon family grow up and even grow apart, but the unique part is that it is all seen from Susie’s view in heaven. As her family becomes okay with the fact that their daughter, sister, or granddaughter has died Susie also comes to accept the fact that she will never see her family again. If you are into sort of creepy books with lots of twists and turns then this book is for you. When I picked it up I thought it was going to be this sappy story of a family in mourning over their lost daughter, but it is so much more than that. You go on a journey with the family through all of the accusations and hard times. I was sucked into this book every second I read it and it was very hard to put down. If you are looking for a good read then this book will hit the spot!
In the book Firehorse by Diane Lee Wilson, fifteen-year-old Rachel is determined to become a veterinarian in a society that is unwilling to accept women in the workplace. She fights against several colleges, her peers, and even her own father to live this dream. This book displays the rise of feminism in several ways and the determination to get an approval from her father. I loved this novel because it had a great storyline and themes. It kept me interested and involved with its many plots and love story, although, the one thing I disliked about the book was the slow beginning. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a balanced combination of adventure, love, and passion.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is a great book. If you are looking for a relaxing, pretty short book, this is the book for you. There is not much violence, mystery, or action but it is a calming, relaxing book. The story is about a man’s life and death and his journey through heaven. Mitch Albom gives you an interesting new twist on the traditional way of looking at heaven. Each person Eddie meets in heaven gives him explanations on pieces of his life which leads him to then end where he figures out what his purpose was on earth. He learns more about himself and the people that he had loved. The author ties in the different parts of the book very well. I would recommend this book to both boys and girls but I think girls would enjoy this book a little more. This is more of an emotional book than anything else. I would also recommend this book to all ages. The story never gets dull and it keeps you interested through the whole book.
In the story Speak by Laurie Marie Anderson, Melinda, a young girl who is just entering high school, suffers through her freshman year through silence. Melinda used to be popular until one night at a party. At an end-of-summer party things went out of control when Melinda called the cops and got everyone busted. After that one night no one was willing to talk to her and everything changes, so she completely stops speaking. Now all she wants to do is be safe inside her own thoughts. By doing this she won’t have to reveal what really happened at the night of the party. This book is amazing because it shows how high school can be a struggle. It brought a different topic to my reading and it showed me how some teenagers really feel. Speak shows how teenage alienation may be a big deal in high school. I would very much recommend this book to all teenagers because it includes humor and a lot of drama.
King Dork by Frank Portman is a book about a high school kid named Tom Henderson. He has only one friend and he plays in a band. His father died in a mysterious car crash that he does not know anything about because his mother wants to hide a secret. One day while looking through his basement, he finds a pile of books that were his fathers. He finds all sorts of secrets and messages that he must solve to know more about his father.
The book was very confusing for the first three quarters. The book often left me confused and wondering what was going on. I had to read till the end when everything finally came together. The book was a little inappropriate and I would recommend anybody in high school to read it.
The Pact by Jodi Picoult was by far the best book I have ever read. I managed to finish the approximately 400 page book in a matter of two days because of the incredible suspense. It was about a two families, the Gold's and the Hartes, that had been inseperable for years. Then, one night they got a call saying that their children Emily Gold and Chris Harte were in the hospital. By the time they got there Emily was dead. , a bullet wound to the dead her cause of death. Because Chris was the last one with her people immediately began to draw conclusisions. However, they shared unconditional love that made this seem impossible. The story of their past and of the seem to be never ending trial for Chris Harte is easily the best book I have ever read. Emily Webb, 6
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton an amazing book!!! Its a about dinosaur dna being found and used to created dinosaurs for an ultra high tech amusement park. Until something gos horribly wrong. This is a seriously good book and more elaborate and even better that the movie. I would actually give it 5 stars out of 5.
A book I highly recommend is Godless. It is about a bored teenage boy in a suburban town named Jason Bock. Frustrated by his religion, Jason decides to create his own religion. This includes worshipping a 90 foot, ten-legged metal object: his town’s water tower! Jason calls his followers, Chutengodians. In the beginning, it’s just he and his best friend Shin, a nerdy snail loving guy. As the summer progresses, they begin to pick up people they thought they would never include. At first it’s just a group of friends meeting and talking. But, what turns out as a care-free experience turns into disaster, a separation of friends, and overcoming one’s mental obstacles. From, involvement from the police, a friend in an insane asylum, to a life changing choice, Jason faces them in the book Godless.
Overall, Godless was a fascinating book. It reflected the ideals of a growing teenage boy. In a way, I can relate to Jason Bock by some of his adventures in the book. I have wondered about things I cannot understand. Like the book says, “How can you understand something, if you don’t believe in it?” This was just one aspect of the book that made me think.
1984 by George Orwell is a fantastic read and i highly recommend reading it. It is all about the main character, Winston Smith, who lives in a negative society. Throughout the book he retraces his past, or what he recollects of it and he begins to rebel. He loses his way, or some people could say he finds his way back to the life he wants. This book is very interesting because it is so different from our society and it has made me, personally, appreciate our life so much more. it is a wonderful journey of life and i recommend everyone to read this classic novel.
"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer is a novel about true love and self-preservation. A young girl, Bella, falls in love with the perfect boy when she moves to the town of Forks. He has prominent facial features, a sculpted body, and undeniable intelligence. The problem is that her love, Edward Cullen, is a vampire. Even though he loves Bella, he cannot control his hunger for her blood. Bella, however, does not fear for her life but instead is afraid of losing her first love, Edward. Once Bella starts to spend more time with the Cullen family, she realizes that her life might be in more danger than she ever imagined. I think that Twilight is a very suspenseful and romantic novel. Bella's love for Edward is much greater than the constant attempt to save her own life. This novel shows that the danger is nothing compared to their love and that they would do anything for each other. It is suspenseful because even though the novel focuses on the love between Edward and Bella, it managed to capture the suspense as well. Meyer portrayed the danger of vampires with various details. Madhuri, Ms. Giannakopoulous, 3rd
One of the best books I have read recently is Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt. I borrowed it from Mrs. Webb at the beginning of the year and loved it so much that I reread it. Dicey’s Song is a sequel to Cynthia Voigt’s first novel, Homecoming. The first book is about how four children are abandoned in a parking lot and it is up to the oldest child, Dicey to keep them alive. The story continues as Dicey and her two brothers and sister find the one distant relative that will take them in. Their mother’s mother, Gram, has reluctantly let them live with her in a shabby, secluded home away from the rest of the town. “The Tillermans’ road had rolled up against Gram’s house, and they had tumbled into it. Not exactly into Gram’s arms, maybe not into her lap. But certainly into her life.” Dicey must adjust to the new lifestyle while keeping her brother Sammy out of trouble, teaching Maybeth how to read, helping James break out of his shell, fixing her dream sailboat, and trying to keep her family from falling apart. This novel really puts family and love into perspective, and is even better if you read both books, although this “act two” of the Tillermans’ journey is a great adventure that definitely pulls at your heartstrings. Katie R. Mrs. Webb Period 6
The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown The Da Vinci code is the story of a man who studies religion, who becomes a part of a mysterious winding quest for the Holy Grail.
This was a terrific book. It provided for good entertainment, while making the reader think. The reading flew by in this book. I really enjoyed it. Chris D. Ms. Giannakopoulos
Death in a Promised Land: a novel of conspiracy, by Robert Andrews
Death in a Promised Land is a thriller based on the facts and rumors surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Bradford Sims is a CIA operative who stumbles onto the oddly-closed case of King. Because he is African American, Sims is compelled to investigate further into the mystery. The book follows his investigations and struggles to solve this case. He is so determined that he continues despite setbacks, people trying to stop him from finding the truth, and even racial prejudices. Of the many themes in the book, the importance of a companion and faith, and affects of racism stand out. The book is written like the truth, and Robert Andrews captures each second with intense drama that compels the reader forward to find the ‘truth’. The book ties in world relations at the time along with past events from the Civil Rights Movement. The book was awesome and I wanted to continue reading after I finished. A confusing thing about the story is the wealth of characters and their relations to each other. Often, it is hard to keep track of everyone in the large picture. Thankful it isn’t that bad, and it subtracts little from the story. Also there is a bunch of different personalities among the characters. Others are regretful, while others are without regret. Some are hesitate and others are decisive. Robert did a wonderful job of taking fiction and reading like fact and at the same time keeps the cinematic quality about it. Reading this was insightful and the themes Andrews used were easy to relate to despite a drastic difference of situations. It made me rethink my view on life. I would like to point out that even though most of the book is not about action; it is very fast paced and well developed. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the ‘What if?’ question, a detective story, or even an action book with a fair amount of talking. 4.5 out of 5.
For those of you who love a compelling and romantic love story, this book is for you. "The Painted Kiss" by Elizabeth Hickey, begins when a young Viennese girl named Emilie Floge is forced by her father to take drawing classes with a man by the name of Gustav Klimt. It follows the growing relationship between Klimt and Emilie, who branches off from a naive girl to a blooming woman. She becomes a mistress to one of the most controversial artists of Vienna's time and the owner of an extravagent fashion house that Klimt helps design. Her world is overflowing with the beauty of art and truth, and yet is soon to be condemned by the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even though Emilie is never certain of her place in Klimt's life, she is always an influential presence, helping him through tragedies, diffedence, and triumph- and eventually serving as the model for his greatest work of art. As said by the author, "It is a moving love story that is as sensual and compelling as a work by Klimt himself." I strongly suggest you read The Painted Kiss because once you read the first few chapters, something extraordinary will happen to you. You start to yield all your emotions into the story and sooner or later you'll feel as if you're the one in love. This book will affect you on so many levels that you won't even dare to put it down. The Painted Kiss's wonderful and emotional effects will always stay with me and I expect many more great novels from its author. Gaby Ms.Giannakopoulos Per 3
For those of you who love a compelling and romantic love story, this book is for you. "The Painted Kiss" by Elizabeth Hickey, begins when a young Viennese girl named Emilie Floge is forced by her father to take drawing classes with a man by the name of Gustav Klimt. It follows the growing relationship between Klimt and Emilie, who branches off from a naive girl to a blooming woman. She becomes a mistress to one of the most controversial artists of Vienna's time and the owner of an extravagant fashion house that Klimt helps design. Her world is overflowing with the beauty of art and truth, and yet is soon to be condemned by the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even though Emilie is never certain of her place in Klimt's life, she is always an influential presence, helping him through tragedies, diffidence, and triumph- and eventually serving as the model for his greatest work of art. As said by the author, "It is a moving love story that is as sensual and compelling as a work by Klimt himself." I strongly suggest you read The Painted Kiss because once you read the first few chapters, something extraordinary will happen to you. You start to yield all your emotions into the story and sooner or later you'll feel as if you're the one in love. This book will affect you on so many levels that you won't even dare to put it down. The Painted Kiss's wonderful and emotional effects will always stay with me and I expect many more great novels from its author. Gaby Ms.Giannakopoulos Per 3
-i didnt see my post up here, so im resending it just in case. Scribbler of Dreams, written by Mary E. Pearson is a very intense and intriguing book. I enjoyed reading this book because the author makes you want more, and it is very hard to set this book down. It is solely based on these two families; the Malone’s, and the Crutchfield’s. They have a known hatred toward each other that has been an ongoing tradition for the past one hundred years. The main character Kaitlin Malone is thrown into an upside down world when harsh times hit her family, and they are forced to attend their enemy’s, the Crutchfield’s high school. When she falls for a guy by the name of Bram Crutchfield, she has found herself caught up in a tangled mess of continuing lies that she must tell in order to conceal her identity and protect their love. In this modern day love story, these families must encounter many obstacles that can either bind or break their families, and the choices made along the way may raise hope for a new beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good novel. Many teenage girls can most likely relate to some of these events, and it is written in a tone that makes it easily understandable. If you would like a book that will take you on an exciting, yet emotional rollercoaster, then this book is for you.
53 comments:
Beautiful city of the dead was a phenomenal book. It takes a commonly appreciated subject, music, and adds unique twist. It was expertly written and has a lot of good word choice. The invention of the idea of Ghost metal adds a colossal amount of creativity and interest.
Will Mrs. Webb p.4
My recommendation would be The Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. This story is a sequel to Westerfeld’s previous story, The Uglies. If you have read The Uglies, you will definitely enjoy reading the latest of brave Tally Youngblood’s adventures in The Pretties. Since Tally’s last words in The Uglies ended with “’Hi, I’m Tally Youngblood. Make me pretty.’” You begin reading The Pretties with the hopes of gaining a bit more insight into Tally’s new life as a pretty. This story kicks off with Tally living it up and partying in the Pretty Towers every single night. At first, Tally doesn’t remember the awful consequence to being a pretty that David’s parents had discovered in the previous story. However, she receives a rude awakening when her past seems to dig itself up put of the ground and wriggles its way back into her life. On top of taking her adventures to the highest possible risk level in order to get into a new club, Tally must face her past. Even so, Tally finds she is not alone when the leader of the new club, Zane, agrees to help her. Zane and Tally take pills to separate the lesions in their brains from the pretty operation. The two teens went under suspicion of the Specials and got two metal tracking devices slapped onto their wrists even as they venture off into the wilderness to obtain more pills and cure the lesions that the operation causes in the pretty’s brains. Even so, things get a little out of control and Zane seems to be getting as sick as a dog. As Zane’s condition worsens, Tally finds it harder and harder to travel and reach their goal. In the end, Tally must leave Zane behind because another tracking device had been embedded in his tooth and the special camp had been discovered. If you have enjoyed The Uglies, you will definitely enjoy The Pretties. Malissa, Mrs. Webb, period 5
I recommend the book Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson This book was about how the yellow fever spreads throughout the Philadelphia area. The story follows a 16-year-old girl who must take care of her mother and grandfather until she gets the yellow fever. The book does an excellent job portraying how certain times can bring out the best and worst in people. This book entices you to read more so you find out who dies next. While you read the terrible conditions that sick people had to endure in 1793, you find yourself loving all the modern things that have been invented. You feel so grateful you can take a shower after a long day. Fever, 1793 depicts how people would separate their differences and come together for an important cause. Sydney, Mrs. Webb, 5th Hour.
Midnight for Charlie Bone is engaging and will attract any reader of any age. Charlie Bone is a young boy presented with an amazing endowment, the ability to jump into pictures Presented with this endowment, Charlie faces many unusual challenges at Bloors Academy. Although Charlie hates Bloors, there is nothing he can possibly do to escape his menacing aunts. Once you finish reading Midnight for Charlie Bone you won’t be able to wait to jump into Charlie Bone and the Time Twister.
Adel Mrs. Webb Period 5
Marked by PC and Kristin Cast
Marked is a book about vampires. That would be part of the reason why I first picked it up. This is the story about a world where vampires are known and common, but not accepted. When teenager Zoey gets marked as a vampire one day at school, she becomes an outcast among the friends she once trusted completely. The only person not freaked out by her now is her “almost ex-boyfriend”, Heath. Now that Zoey is marked, she must move into the House of Night, the school for vampires. She must make new friends and a new life for herself, but that is the least of her worries. Once a person is marked, they will either turn into a vampire, or their body will reject the change and they will die. On top of this worry, Zoey finds that she is not like the other fledgling vampires. She finds that she has already acquired the blood lust that is common mostly in adult vampires. That she, a fledgling, should crave blood already is not unheard of but rare. This blood lust could be putting her human friends in danger as well. But most unusual of all is that Zoey was chosen specially by the Goddess Nyx who came to Zoey in a vision. With all this change on her shoulders, Zoey is lucky to have some new friends to turn to. Not to mention the attention of the hottest guy in the school, Erik Night.
This mix of teenage romance, vampires, and supernatural powers makes Marked a favorite of mine. The book is fast paced and pulls you in from the very beginning. Mother and daughter, PC and Kristin Cast, keep you reeled into the story as the drama slowly unfolds to come to a startling climax. Even better is that this book is part of a series called the House of Night. The second book in the series is Betrayed which is even better than the first book. The third book is yet to come out. I believe it releases on March 4 and the title is Chosen.
-Zeba, Mrs. Webb, per. 5
If you are looking for a good Biography to read I would recommed Elizabeth I of Englang by Kerrily Sapet. This book is about Queen Elizabeth's life from when she was born to when she died. You learn a lot about her life and how it was growing up in England and being a queen with no king by her side. This book also tells a lot about the history of england and about the people that live there. When I finished the book I felt like I had learned a lot about Queen Elizabeth and England.
Taylor Ms. Webb per. 2
If you are looking for a really interesting, but very odd book, the Pretties by Scott Westerfeld is definitely for you. I didn't read the Uglies, so I felt I was missing some information but it really didn't matter because once you get hooked on the Pretties, it really doesn't matter. The Pretties is about a girl named Tally who is new to New Pretty town. She is all about have a good time and partying as she is voted into the Crims clique. It's all fun and games until she finds someone in her new town form her old town named Croy. Croy tells Tally that he hid something for her and she must find it as he undergoes surgery to become a pretty. Zane, another girl from New pretty town, and who is friends with Tally, somehow knows Croy and she insists on helping Tally find this hidden clue. The book even has a twist in the ending which made it all the more better. I loved this book and I really wish I would've read the frist book of this triology so I could get the full effect. Will I read the next book? That's not even a question. This book was so good and I am expecting great things from the next book.
Anna Ms. Webb Period 2
My recommendation is Going for the Record by Julie A. Swanson. Leah Weiczynkowski, a seventeen-year-old girl, is obsessed with soccer. She goes to tryout for a national team the summer of her senior year that she was rejected from the year before. When she finds out that she has made the team, she goes to tell her biggest supporter, her dad. As she tells her dad the exciting news, her dad has some not so exciting news to tell her. Leah’s dad tells her that he has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has only three months to live. Shocked by the news, Leah is devastated and has a very hard time with friends, family, and soccer. While her dad is getting worse, Leah wonders if she should continue soccer or if she should help out with her family more. Hoping she made the right choice, Leah quits soccer and uses her free time to help her family go through this tragedy. This book is filled with excitement, sadness, and intensity. It is a great book to sit down and enjoy!
Tell No One/ Harlan Coben
It was the last night David Beck had seen his wife alive. The scene still haunts him eight years later: the sensation of drowning, muffled cries for help, and the unforgettable memory of loss. Everyone tells him that it’s time to move on but it’s impossible for David. One day, he received an e-mail that contained a secret only his wife, Elizabeth, knew. Beck is doubtful that his wife is still alive but then he sees her in a webcam saying “tell no one”. He is finally convinced that Elizabeth is alive and later plans on meeting her in person. But, the people who planned on murdering Elizabeth eight year ago see her return as a another chance. David Beck has to face obstacles against the people he loves and himself. From physically assaulting a police officer to a life or death choice, David does everything he can to solve Elizabeth’s murder mystery.
The first reason I chose to read Tell No One was because a BHS librarian recommended it to me. She explained the plot and it sounded interesting. After reading it, I realized that it was a page turner because every page started our as a mystery and ended with possible solutions. Also, I could picture myself with the characters, solving the mystery and unraveling clues. This story has two plots that eventually combine together which gave me more to soak in. Overall, Tell No One is a great murder mystery that gave me chills but also put me at the edge of my seat.
Kari, Ms. Giannakopoulos
One of the best books I have ever read was My Sister’s Keeper by Jodie Picoult. The book was about a young thirteen-year-old girl named Anna, who’s older sister has been diagnosed with leukemia. She was created so that she is a perfect bone marrow match for her sister, and to her it seems as if that was the only reason she was even born. In order to try to get more independence, she files a law suit against her parents for control over her body. The book is well written in the points of views of seven different people. Anna’s mother and father, her older brother, her lawyer, another woman assigned to help the case out, her sister, and herself. It is a book that truly shows how much love family members can have for each other.
My Sister’s Keeper is one of those books that you can’t seem to stop reading. It was so interesting for me to read that I was thinking about what was coming next in the story during the day and couldn’t wait to pick it up again when I got home. You start to understand how trying and depressing it is to be living in a family where you don’t know if one of your family members is going to live to see the next day, or if you are going to be going to the hospital tomorrow for an emergency surgery. I recommend this book to all people who love a dramatic, well-written book.
-Chloe P, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Acceleration by Graham McNamee is a great thrill seeking adventure story. It is about a boy named Duncan with what he thinks is the worst job ever. He works at the lost and found of a subway station where nothing ever changes until one day he comes across someone's diary. He begins to read it and finds that it is about an anonymous serial killer's secrets. It is filled with newspaper clippings of crimes that the killer has committed. Duncan doesn't think the cops will help find out who it is so he feels like it is up to him to stop this criminal from doing anymore harm. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes high energy mystery stories. The best part of the book was how the mystery slowly unfolded. It was so suspenseful throughout the whole story that I couldn't stop reading it. It is one of the first books that I have ever read where I actually felt like I was there. Overall, the book was amazing and I think anyone who reads it will think the same.
-Wendy, Ms. Giannakopoulos
If you are looking for a great, quick read, I recommend The Giver by Lois Lowry. It is about a futuristic society that regulates every thing you do. For example, when you are a Twelve, they tell you what job you will train for; you do not get to choose. Jonas, who will soon become a Twelve, is anxious about what job he will be assigned. At the ceremony, he is given the job of Receiver of Memory. While training for his job, Jonas comes to some shocking conclusions about life, death, and love, and realizes that not everything is what it seems. In addition, in the end, he goes on one of the most risky journeys ever to change the community forever. I felt that the author did a great job leaving some of the ending open so you can make your own conclusion on what happens next. I am looking forward to reading the next book Gathering Blue to find out what really happens.
Laura Palarz, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Pete Hautman “Godless”
The book “Godless” is about a young teenager named Jason Bock who is growing up in a small town and is unsure about his religion. Jason practices Catholicism but doesn’t believe that Catholicism is fully factual. One day Jason decides that he is going to create his own religion called Chutengodianism. The religion starts out small and eventually gets bigger and bigger. The religion is centralized around worshipping water towers. The way Jason puts it is “all life needs water and water comes from water towers therefore water towers equal God.” Jason and his religious cult go out on adventures and worship the water tower in there small town. They hold midnight mass atop the water tower and have religious celebrations on it as well. The religion is working out really well until one day atop the water tower mayhem breaks lose. The Hight Priest of the religion, Henry Stagg, decides to do the unthinkable. Atop the water tower Henry decides to break into the God’s head and explore. Worst comes to worst when the teenagers go in the water tower and are unable to get out. Overall I really enjoyed the book “Godless” it is a good story that could relate to any teenager who practices any religion. I have questioned my religion before and have wondered if it is the right one for me. The problems Jason faced are much like the problems I’ve been through in my life. I give this book three and half stars out of five.
Tommy A.
Ms. Giannakopoulos
Pete Hautman “Godless”
The book “Godless” is about a young teenager named Jason Bock who is growing up in a small town and is unsure about his religion. Jason practices Catholicism but doesn’t believe that Catholicism is fully factual. One day Jason decides that he is going to create his own religion called Chutengodianism. The religion starts out small and eventually gets bigger and bigger. The religion is centralized around worshipping water towers. The way Jason puts it is “all life needs water and water comes from water towers therefore water towers equal God.” Jason and his religious cult go out on adventures and worship the water tower in there small town. They hold midnight mass atop the water tower and have religious celebrations on it as well. The religion is working out really well until one day atop the water tower mayhem breaks lose. The Hight Priest of the religion, Henry Stagg, decides to do the unthinkable. Atop the water tower Henry decides to break into the God’s head and explore. Worst comes to worst when the teenagers go in the water tower and are unable to get out. Overall I really enjoyed the book “Godless” it is a good story that could relate to any teenager who practices any religion. I have questioned my religion before and have wondered if it is the right one for me. The problems Jason faced are much like the problems I’ve been through in my life. I give this book three and half stars out of five.
Tommy A.
Ms. Giannakopoulos
If you are interested in a heart grabbing story of a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany then The Book Thief By: Markus Zusak is a great book to look up. This story is told by death about a girl’s life growing up in Germany during World War II. In the book, a young girl named Liesel Meminger is being taken away from her family, and sent to her new foster parent’s home. During the course of the story Liesel experiences many horrible things. The main thing that Liesel does through out the novel is that she steals books. Also she is trying to learn how to read and is getting help from her new father. Her life suddenly changes when her new family helps a Jew hide in their basement. She becomes incredibly close to everyone in her life and really gets to know them well. Also she continues on reading her stolen books. Like any family in that time era Liesel’s goes through many challenges and tragic events. I personally loved this book. It had many historical references and the way the story was told made it interesting. Liesel Meminger is a girl that you would want to meet after reading this book and see what she is like. Zusak grasps many concepts and places them very well in the story. Overall it was a very well written novel that I would recommend to anyone.
Hannah Ms. Giannakopoulos
If you’re looking for an outdoor thrill ride Peak, by Roland Smith, is the book for you. Peak is about a young boy, ironically named Peak, who is an avid mountain climber. Sadly enough he is caught in the concrete jungle of New York City. Peak begins climbing skyscrapers, because of the lack of mountains in his area, at an early age. Unfortunately one day he is careless and is caught in the act of climbing a large skyscraper and is punished. At the trial that threatens to put him in juvenile hall for a year or more of his young life his professional mountaineering and neglectful father suddenly shows up and invites him on a trip of a lifetime and more importantly an escape from jail. Peak’s dad is giving him the opportunity to be able to climb Mount Everest. Peak then journeys to foreign lands and is engulfed in business propositions, betrayal, politics, and most of all a lessening strength for the struggle to survive. I personally recommend this book because there are no dull parts and I always wanted to keep reading, it made me feel like I was out climbing the mountain and struggling through Peak’s adventures. Roland Smith vividly describes the scenery and every character in great detail. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Hatchet by Gary Paulson or somebody who is looking to enjoy the outdoors through a book. I would give this book 4 ½ stars out of 5, and will definitely be looking for a sequel in the future.
Ben Ms. Giannakopoulos, period 7
Rock Star Superstar by Blake Nelson is a great novel for any musician. The book is based on a normal high school kid who is musically talented. He ends up joining a band made of one of his best friends and two brothers that play music that is nowhere near his jazz style. The book is very creative and is very hard to stop reading. It really focuses on the journey that many bands face going from local heroes to nation wide stars. However, I would not recommend this book to anybody that is not into music.
Taylor, Ms. Giannakopoulos
The Strangler
By: William Landay
During the 1960’s a mass murderer called the Boston Strangler emerged. This murderer killed each of his victims brutally by strangling them. This book is a fiction story of a family that was affected by the Strangler and the other crimes that took place in Boston. The Daley family was a normal family until the murder of Joe Daley Senior. Joe Senior worked as a police officer and as a homicide detective. Very quickly the Daley family was changed. Joe Daley the eldest son followed his father’s footsteps by being a cop. Michael Daley was the middle child who was a Harvard graduate working for the Attorney General. Ricky Daley was the youngest and was a professional theft. Their mother Margaret, saddened by the death of her husband, fell into the arms of Joe Daley Senior’s partner, Brendan Conroy. Shortly after the death of Joe Senior, the Strangler struck in the Daley family. Amy, Ricky’s girlfriend was killed. Michael, already infatuated with finding the true murderer of his father, set out to find the true strangler. While Michael was solving murder cases, Ricky and Joe struggled with the Boston mob. Ricky had stolen jewels from clients of the mob and Joe owed several thousands of dollars to the mob. The struggles of the Daley family create a very exciting, suspenseful novel. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys crime mysteries. This book gave readers a chance to solve the mystery themselves, which is why I really liked this book. This book is never dull and you will always be reading to find out what happens next. Overall I’m glad I got the chance to read this novel.
Clare, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Summary
In the book Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon is the mentally challenged main character. He volunteers to take place in an operation that will enhance your intelligence drastically. His progress is compared to Algernon’s, a lab mouse who had the operation earlier. The professors conducting the experiment however still aren’t sure if the skills and knowledge gained will last or fade over time.
Reflection
Charlie Gordon’s life story will inspire others to accept people for who they are. It was so interesting going through all Charlie’s experiences and changes with him. I think it’s creative that instead of chapters, the book is divided into the progress reports Charlie has to write. I recommend this book to both boys and girls of all ages.
Andrea Ms. Giannakopoulos
Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho was definitely a life changing book. It is about a girl named veronika who decides to commit suicide. She finds herself at Villette, a hospital for the mentally ill. She is told she only has a limited amount of time to live as a result to her overdosage. I loved the how the ripple effect is presented in this book and how her actions effect people in ways no one would think of. It is a novel of redemption and Veronika realizes things about herself she never knew.
Lauren (Ms. Giannakopoulos)
Extras by Scott Westerfeld is the fourth book of the Uglies Series. It has been a few years after Tally Youngblood saved the world from the strict rules and roles that everyone should follow. Now Aya Fuse is living in a world that is one big popularity contest and whoever has the biggest scandal gets the most votes. Her rank of 451,369 is so low that she is a total nobody or known as an Extra. Aya spies on a clique of girls who pull dangerous and crazy stunts, so she can kick an exciting story to show the world and boost her popularity rank. While hanging out with the Sly Girls she discovers an even bigger story than the secretive clique. Aya discovers un-human like creatures hiding supplies in a mountain that could be used to destroy the world. It is now up to Aya to find out who these creatures are and stop them from destroying the world before it is too late. But in order to save the world, she will need some help from an old friend. Tally Youngblood.
Extras was a thrilling and exciting book. Every page and chapter made you want to keep reading more and never put the book down until it was done. The beginning was very exciting and suspenseful. When Tally Youngblood came into the story, it seemed like she was taking it over. The story was then more focused on Tally’s decisions rather than Aya Fuse’s own thoughts and opinions to the situations. Also the ending wasn’t as good as I expected it to be. It raised more questions than answers and was a little disappointing. Although the book’s ending wasn’t the greatest, I still think it was good and had a lot of action and suspense. I would recommend Extras to everyone who has read the Uglies Series and whoever didn’t read it yet should go to the library and check them out.
Alyssa, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Deadline is a book much different from what I expected. I normally stick to “girl” books with tons of gossip and relationships, so I figured I would definitely not like Deadline, but surprisingly I did. Deadline is about an eighteen year-old boy, named Ben Wolf. Ben is your typical teenage boy, he hangs around town and is a fantastic athlete, but something happens that is about to change his life.
Ben finds out early in the story that he only has one year to live, which just so happens to be his senior year at Trout High. With this new information Ben decides to take risks and tell no one about his illness.
Will his decision to tell no one hurt him? Or will it help make his last year perfectly normal? You’ll just have to read Deadline to find out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sports, adventure, and risk, and can possibly shed a few tears. Deadline is a great book and most definitely a must-read!
Elizabeth, Ms. Giannakopoulos
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Deadline is a book much different from what I expected. I normally stick to “girl” books with tons of gossip and relationships, so I figured I would definitely not like Deadline, but surprisingly I did. Deadline is about an eighteen year-old boy, named Ben Wolf. Ben is your typical teenage boy, he hangs around town and is a fantastic athlete, but something happens that is about to change his life.
Ben finds out early in the story that he only has one year to live, which just so happens to be his senior year at Trout High. With this new information Ben decides to take risks and tell no one about his illness.
Will his decision to tell no one hurt him? Or will it help make his last year perfectly normal? You’ll just have to read Deadline to find out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sports, adventure, and risk, and can possibly shed a few tears. Deadline is a great book and most definitely a must-read!
Elizabeth, Ms. Giannakopoulos
“Washington Square” by Henry James is a very interesting book for anyone who enjoys brilliant character development. It is about a plain girl named Catherine Sloper, she is the only children of the very wealthy Dr. Austin Sloper and lives a frankly dull and boring life in the constant shadow of her deceased mother. But along comes the poor yet very clever and good looking Morris Townsend and Catherine falls very hard in love. “Washington Square” has all the qualities of a classic romance; it has the young couple, the disapproving father, as well as the encouraging aunt passing notes between the lovers unseen by Dr. Sloper’s ever watchful eyes. But it’s not a book of romance, it’s a book about money and disseat, but in some ways at the very end courage.
I greatly enjoyed “Washington Square”, but I could easily be blinded by my love of Daisy Miller, Henry James’s perhaps most famous story. In fact, recently on the internet I read on a message board that many people found the book to be rather boring, but then again as I’m sure anyone who has every been on a chat room or message board there are many very dumb people on the internet as well. “Washington Square” is filled with excellent character development, thoughtful observations of the human mind not in mention beautifully detailed scenarios. I’d recommend “Washington Square” to any serious reader.
Emily Hyatt
Ms Giannakopoulos
Period 3
Deadline, written by Chris Crutcher, describes the life of Ben Wolf. At the beginning of his senior year at Trout High School, Ben is diagnosed with a terminal illness that leaves him with only one year to live. Knowing about the illness, he decides to keep it secret from the world except for his doctor and his psychiatrist. He tries to make the best of his remaining year by doing things he would never have dreamed of doing. He tries out for the football team (weighing just over 120 pounds) and even gets a date with Dallas Suzuki (the girl he has had a crush on for years). The book included a lot about sports, but still had a very interesting plot for all readers. I was very interested in this book because it kept on making me think about how I would live my life if I only had one year to live.
Matt B., Ms. Giannakopoulos
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova, is an incredibly well-written and well-researched book. The story begins with the narrator finding a mysterious book in her father's library, This seemingly insignificant discovery triggers a chain of events that unravel the history of her family as well as some shocking revelations about Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula. The author uses vivid descriptions throughout the novel to portray what life in England during the 1970's, as well as what life was like during the time of Vlad Tepes. However, this book is no light read. The information is very dense and thought provoking. If you want to this, be prepared to actually think.
Maddie Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 3
If you are looking for a book with love, suspense, and vampires, then Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the book for you. Bella is a young girl living in the town of phoenix with her mom when she decides that she wants to live in Forks with her dad up north. She hates Forks with a passion, but she’d rather be there than living at home with her mom and boyfriend traveling. Bella believes that Forks is a boring and depressing town until she meets Edward Cullen. The Cullen family is seen as strange and unusual because they have separated themselves from everyone else in Forks. Not only are they unusual, they are also vampires. It doesn’t take long for Bella to become attracted to Edward’s charm and beauty. Edward also falls in love with Bella, but there’s a catch. Edward craves her blood and could potentially kill her at anytime they are together. He knows that he puts her in danger, but there love for each other is too strong to keep them apart. The suspense builds throughout this book with the dangers that are placed upon Edward and Bella. I thought this book was a creative and fantastic love story filled with suspense, and I really liked it. This is definitely a book that I recommend to anyone looking for a love story.
-Kelly B. Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 3
The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, is a novel about a fourteen-year-old girl named Susie Salmon. Susie tells her story from heaven, a tale that is both haunting and at the same time full of hope. The cause of her death was rape and murder by a man named Mr. Harvey, as we find out very early on in the book. In the weeks following her murder, Susie watches the life on Earth she left behind. She watches her family and friends trying to cope with the horrible truth that is her death. With the family in denial, Susie has a hard time coping with the fact that her life with these loved ones is really over as she explores this strange new place called heaven. This novel was great, in my opinion. I thought it was suspenseful, and kept me wondering what would happen next. Though, it is not a book for those with weak hearts. The Lovely Bones is a pretty black tragedy. It is full of horrible ideas, like rape and murder, but it really doesn’t go into those parts too much. I think it attempts to more focus on the nicer things, like Susie watching her sister receive her first kiss. It gives a great perspective from the families of murder victims, who suffer so much for the rest of their lives. So, I recommend this to basically anybody that enjoys mysteries. In conclusion, The Lovely Bones was really sad, but intriguing at the same time. I would give it four out of five stars.
-Sara C.
Ms. G, Period 3
The Last of the Mohicans, by James Fennimore Cooper, is a great book. There isn't a main character, but there is a group of very important characters. The book is set in the French and Indian War. It takes place around Lake Champlaign and Lake George, which is present day New York. Three men, Hawk-eye, Chingachgook, and Uncas (Chingachgook and Uncas are Indians), are escorting Cora and Alice Munro to their father at Fort William Henry. They fight through the struggles of life in the woods. Cora and Alice are accompanied by Major Duncan Heyward and David Gamut. These two are white men who do not know how to live like the Indians. This leads to many problems for the group. This book is action packed but has a very slow beginning. Also, James Fennimore Cooper spends a lot of the time describing scenes in the book. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves action and can sit through reading about what a scene looks like for a couple paragraphs. The book has a very good storyline and it has a very satisfactory ending. Overall, it is a very good book.
Arun J. Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 3
If you enjoy books with common themes like friendship, betrayal, and escape, then Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini would be the perfect book for you. Amir is a young boy whose life is filled with luxuries. Growing up in Afghanistan, his days are spent playing with Hassan, his family’s servant’s son. After Amir did nothing to stop a terrible situation from occurring to Hassan, the lives of both boys are filled with pain. Soon, Amir escapes with his father to America to avoid the chaos in Afghanistan from the invading Soviet army. After many years, Amir returns to his home to complete a task that can restore his honor and make up for his haunting past. If he survives. This book was amazing, I could never put it down and took it everywhere with me.
Vic K Ms.Giannakopoulos
The Grapes of Wrath
(John Steinbeck)
When Tom Joad gets out of prison, he expects a warm welcome from his family back home. Back at home however, he finds his house completely deserted. Tom discovers that he and his family of farmers were kicked off of their land on account of the Dust Bowl. The Joads must travel from the scarred land of Oklahoma, to the fertile land of California. The journey brings out the best in some, and the worst in others, and will test the bonds that hold the Joad family together. They, and countless other families must struggle to survive the harsh ordeal that is inflicted upon them.
The Grapes of Wrath is thorough, and well written. It is truly epic. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy writing by John Steinbeck, and anyone who appreciates American history and American literature.
Alex Cosman-Ms. Giannakopoulos 3
What isn't there to say about the epic novel by Stephen King, 'Salem's Lot. It may seem cliche but it is indeed one of those books you just dont want to stop reading. If you want a little fright and some good fun mystery then look no further. The book takes place in 'Salem's Lot or Jerusalem's Lot. Where the writer Ben Mears plans to write a shelf buster novel on the Marsten house. A very mysterious home that has been cursed with nothing but trouble. While Ben visits his old town he meets Susan Norton, whom he begins to become fond of. They begin to date and seem to be in true love. Unfortunately while it seems to be some happy time for them some very strange things are happening in 'Salem's Lot. Two very shady men move into the Marsten house, and legend has it whenever anybody moved into the home people either were killed or went missing. And how about it that right after they move in a dog in found dead and hanging from the cemetary gates. Shortly after that it gets worse. Now Ralphie and Danny Glick are attacked by something unknown in the woods. Ralphie goes missing and pronounced dead after days of searching, while Danny later suffers from delayed shock falls into a coma and dies days later. All of the older citizens begin to talk about it being the two new men. While the constable on the other hand has his eye on the two men and Ben Mears due to him showing up at this time to. Then all of a sudden the terror seems to stop for a long while and nothing happens. Then things eventually really start to get nuts and everything has just seems to just get out of control and that is as much of the ending as I can permit you to know the rest is for you to find out yourself. So if you want that little bit of terror as you read, and you really want a book to puzzle you and essentially force you to make predictions and assumptions with out you even consiously knowing it. I highly recommend 'Salem's Lot to you!
Aaron Castagna period 3 Ms. Giannakopoulos.
If you want to read a book that is filled with vampires, suspense and adventure, I recommend Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. This is the third book in the series. As a continuation from the second book, Bella Swan is forced to decide whether to become a vampire and stay with Edward forever or stay human and be with Jacob. The catch is that she has only given herself until graduation to make her decision. Bella is already a senior in high school. And if being in love with both a vampire and a werewolf aren’t enough, Bella needs to protect herself from more danger. Many more threats are placed upon both Bella and Edward. In the end, Bella must make her final decision. She can love Edward for as long as her heart stops beating or she can keep a regular human life with her other love, Jacob, the werewolf. It’s going to take more than charm & beauty to win her over. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend reading the first two books so you know what is going on and so you have a better understanding of the situations occurring. Don’t let the size of the book keep you from reading this. This is such an amazing book. I recommend this to everyone.
Chloe C.
Ms. Giannakopoulos
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
This book is about Eragon, it is the second book in the series. This is a really cool book because it takes place in two parts, Roran’s story and Eragon’s story. It is so cool because there is a chapter or two from Roran’s story then a chapter of two from Eragon’s story. In this book Roran has to save his town and his girlfriend. He believes that the only way to do that is to get the entire town to evacuate the city, and they do this, they then cross mountains and seas. In the end of the book, though, he hasn’t finished his task. Eragon moves from a dwarf city to the elf city. There he and Saphira, his dragon, learn how to be riders. They both then go to a battle and Eragon finds Roran there. Then in a dramatic cliff hanger it ends, hehe I’m not going to tell you how the book ends.
I thought that this was a great book. I was constantly on the edge of my seat; it was filled with adventure and huge surprises. There was a slight hint of romance but not enough to make it weird, the boy just flirted with the girl a little. I would though recommend that if you are going to read this book you should first read the previous book, Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Overall, this was an amazing book.
Elizabeth Badskey, Period 3
Ms. Giannakopoulos
If you want a quality read filled with suspense and plot twists that parallel some of the greatest books of all time, then The Broker by John Grisham is the book for you. It is a story about a man named Joel Backman, whose name changes to Marco near the middle of the novel, who used to be the one of the most powerful men in Washington. The first meeting with the Broker would cost almost five thousand dollars. He, however, managed to get his hands on one of the most powerful satellite systems in the world, or above it for that matter. He got greedy and tried to sell it to the highest bidder, and then it went downhill for him there. He was caught by the U.S., who developed the system, and they arrested him for treason as well as many other crimes. He was soon placed in solitary confinement for six years. But after that time frame, he was unexpectedly pardoned and transferred to Italy. He soon has to learn to adapt to the hostile environment crawling with assassins and spies. John Grisham weaves a web of intertwining stories that all coincide at the end of the novel that makes an ending more satisfying and surprising that I was incredibly impressed. The suspense leaves you on the edge of your seat and even the calm scenes keep you nervous for what is coming next. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to be surprised and anyone who just enjoys a good read.
Pat, Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 7
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
What would your life be like if you only had one day to live? Would things be different? For Ben Wolf this question has become reality. Being a senior in a small town called Trout; Ben has just been told he has a year to live by his doctor. Ben refuses to get treatment for his illness and doesn’t tell anyone about his fait. Ben doesn’t make the journey by himself, his loyal continuants Hey-soos is there through out the entire story. Ben discovers love with Dallas, a local girl who “has it all”. He allows change to over come him by becoming a football player. He lives a bit of a double life, one as an old man about to die, and one as a young adult. His quest for knowledge makes this story hysterical to read. Will the burden of his secret, along with Rudy’s and Dallas’ be too much for Ben?
I would recommend this book to anyone. I loved it. The book was so funny because of the smart-alec responses from Ben and the way everyone reacts to what he does. It’s not your average story; it has a bit of sports, drama, comedy, romance, and history all together. It keeps you hooked though out the entire book. When you think you’ve figured out the plot, it changes. I would give it four stars. Anyone could easily read this book and relate to it.
Hailey A.
Ms. Giannakopoulos
3rd hour
The Lovely Bones
Alice Sebold
The book Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold was a book full of mystery suspense and hope. In the beginning of the book, you find that a young girl by the name of Susie Salmon has been raped and murdered by a man named Mr. George Harvey. Throughout the whole story you watch the Salmon family grow up and even grow apart, but the unique part is that it is all seen from Susie’s view in heaven. As her family becomes okay with the fact that their daughter, sister, or granddaughter has died Susie also comes to accept the fact that she will never see her family again. If you are into sort of creepy books with lots of twists and turns then this book is for you. When I picked it up I thought it was going to be this sappy story of a family in mourning over their lost daughter, but it is so much more than that. You go on a journey with the family through all of the accusations and hard times. I was sucked into this book every second I read it and it was very hard to put down. If you are looking for a good read then this book will hit the spot!
-Tara M. Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 3
Firehorse By Diane Lee Wilson
In the book Firehorse by Diane Lee Wilson, fifteen-year-old Rachel is determined to become a veterinarian in a society that is unwilling to accept women in the workplace. She fights against several colleges, her peers, and even her own father to live this dream. This book displays the rise of feminism in several ways and the determination to get an approval from her father. I loved this novel because it had a great storyline and themes. It kept me interested and involved with its many plots and love story, although, the one thing I disliked about the book was the slow beginning. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a balanced combination of adventure, love, and passion.
-Anne
Miss Giannakopoulos
Period 3
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is a great book. If you are looking for a relaxing, pretty short book, this is the book for you. There is not much violence, mystery, or action but it is a calming, relaxing book. The story is about a man’s life and death and his journey through heaven. Mitch Albom gives you an interesting new twist on the traditional way of looking at heaven. Each person Eddie meets in heaven gives him explanations on pieces of his life which leads him to then end where he figures out what his purpose was on earth. He learns more about himself and the people that he had loved. The author ties in the different parts of the book very well. I would recommend this book to both boys and girls but I think girls would enjoy this book a little more. This is more of an emotional book than anything else. I would also recommend this book to all ages. The story never gets dull and it keeps you interested through the whole book.
Laini, Ms. Giannakopoulos, Period 3
In the story Speak by Laurie Marie Anderson, Melinda, a young girl who is just entering high school, suffers through her freshman year through silence. Melinda used to be popular until one night at a party. At an end-of-summer party things went out of control when Melinda called the cops and got everyone busted. After that one night no one was willing to talk to her and everything changes, so she completely stops speaking. Now all she wants to do is be safe inside her own thoughts. By doing this she won’t have to reveal what really happened at the night of the party.
This book is amazing because it shows how high school can be a struggle. It brought a different topic to my reading and it showed me how some teenagers really feel. Speak shows how teenage alienation may be a big deal in high school. I would very much recommend this book to all teenagers because it includes humor and a lot of drama.
~Nada Ms. Giannakopoulos Period 7
King Dork by Frank Portman is a book about a high school kid named Tom Henderson. He has only one friend and he plays in a band. His father died in a mysterious car crash that he does not know anything about because his mother wants to hide a secret. One day while looking through his basement, he finds a pile of books that were his fathers. He finds all sorts of secrets and messages that he must solve to know more about his father.
The book was very confusing for the first three quarters. The book often left me confused and wondering what was going on. I had to read till the end when everything finally came together. The book was a little inappropriate and I would recommend anybody in high school to read it.
The Pact by Jodi Picoult was by far the best book I have ever read. I managed to finish the approximately 400 page book in a matter of two days because of the incredible suspense. It was about a two families, the Gold's and the Hartes, that had been inseperable for years. Then, one night they got a call saying that their children Emily Gold and Chris Harte were in the hospital. By the time they got there Emily was dead. , a bullet wound to the dead her cause of death. Because Chris was the last one with her people immediately began to draw conclusisions. However, they shared unconditional love that made this seem impossible. The story of their past and of the seem to be never ending trial for Chris Harte is easily the best book I have ever read.
Emily
Webb, 6
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton an amazing book!!! Its a about dinosaur dna being found and used to created dinosaurs for an ultra high tech amusement park. Until something gos horribly wrong. This is a seriously good book and more elaborate and even better that the movie. I would actually give it 5 stars out of 5.
-Conor, Ms. Giannakopoulos
A book I highly recommend is Godless. It is about a bored teenage boy in a suburban town named Jason Bock. Frustrated by his religion, Jason decides to create his own religion. This includes worshipping a 90 foot, ten-legged metal object: his town’s water tower! Jason calls his followers, Chutengodians. In the beginning, it’s just he and his best friend Shin, a nerdy snail loving guy. As the summer progresses, they begin to pick up people they thought they would never include. At first it’s just a group of friends meeting and talking. But, what turns out as a care-free experience turns into disaster, a separation of friends, and overcoming one’s mental obstacles. From, involvement from the police, a friend in an insane asylum, to a life changing choice, Jason faces them in the book Godless.
Overall, Godless was a fascinating book. It reflected the ideals of a growing teenage boy. In a way, I can relate to Jason Bock by some of his adventures in the book. I have wondered about things I cannot understand. Like the book says, “How can you understand something, if you don’t believe in it?” This was just one aspect of the book that made me think.
1984 by George Orwell is a fantastic read and i highly recommend reading it. It is all about the main character, Winston Smith, who lives in a negative society. Throughout the book he retraces his past, or what he recollects of it and he begins to rebel. He loses his way, or some people could say he finds his way back to the life he wants. This book is very interesting because it is so different from our society and it has made me, personally, appreciate our life so much more. it is a wonderful journey of life and i recommend everyone to read this classic novel.
Emily, Ms.Giannakopoulos
"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer is a novel about true love and self-preservation. A young girl, Bella, falls in love with the perfect boy when she moves to the town of Forks. He has prominent facial features, a sculpted body, and undeniable intelligence. The problem is that her love, Edward Cullen, is a vampire. Even though he loves Bella, he cannot control his hunger for her blood. Bella, however, does not fear for her life but instead is afraid of losing her first love, Edward. Once Bella starts to spend more time with the Cullen family, she realizes that her life might be in more danger than she ever imagined.
I think that Twilight is a very suspenseful and romantic novel. Bella's love for Edward is much greater than the constant attempt to save her own life. This novel shows that the danger is nothing compared to their love and that they would do anything for each other. It is suspenseful because even though the novel focuses on the love between Edward and Bella, it managed to capture the suspense as well. Meyer portrayed the danger of vampires with various details.
Madhuri, Ms. Giannakopoulous, 3rd
One of the best books I have read recently is Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt. I borrowed it from Mrs. Webb at the beginning of the year and loved it so much that I reread it. Dicey’s Song is a sequel to Cynthia Voigt’s first novel, Homecoming. The first book is about how four children are abandoned in a parking lot and it is up to the oldest child, Dicey to keep them alive. The story continues as Dicey and her two brothers and sister find the one distant relative that will take them in. Their mother’s mother, Gram, has reluctantly let them live with her in a shabby, secluded home away from the rest of the town. “The Tillermans’ road had rolled up against Gram’s house, and they had tumbled into it. Not exactly into Gram’s arms, maybe not into her lap. But certainly into her life.” Dicey must adjust to the new lifestyle while keeping her brother Sammy out of trouble, teaching Maybeth how to read, helping James break out of his shell, fixing her dream sailboat, and trying to keep her family from falling apart. This novel really puts family and love into perspective, and is even better if you read both books, although this “act two” of the Tillermans’ journey is a great adventure that definitely pulls at your heartstrings.
Katie R.
Mrs. Webb Period 6
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown
The Da Vinci code is the story of a man who studies religion, who becomes a part of a mysterious winding quest for the Holy Grail.
This was a terrific book. It provided for good entertainment, while making the reader think. The reading flew by in this book. I really enjoyed it.
Chris D.
Ms. Giannakopoulos
Death in a Promised Land: a novel of conspiracy, by Robert Andrews
Death in a Promised Land is a thriller based on the facts and rumors surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Bradford Sims is a CIA operative who stumbles onto the oddly-closed case of King. Because he is African American, Sims is compelled to investigate further into the mystery. The book follows his investigations and struggles to solve this case. He is so determined that he continues despite setbacks, people trying to stop him from finding the truth, and even racial prejudices. Of the many themes in the book, the importance of a companion and faith, and affects of racism stand out. The book is written like the truth, and Robert Andrews captures each second with intense drama that compels the reader forward to find the ‘truth’. The book ties in world relations at the time along with past events from the Civil Rights Movement. The book was awesome and I wanted to continue reading after I finished. A confusing thing about the story is the wealth of characters and their relations to each other. Often, it is hard to keep track of everyone in the large picture. Thankful it isn’t that bad, and it subtracts little from the story. Also there is a bunch of different personalities among the characters. Others are regretful, while others are without regret. Some are hesitate and others are decisive. Robert did a wonderful job of taking fiction and reading like fact and at the same time keeps the cinematic quality about it. Reading this was insightful and the themes Andrews used were easy to relate to despite a drastic difference of situations. It made me rethink my view on life. I would like to point out that even though most of the book is not about action; it is very fast paced and well developed. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the ‘What if?’ question, a detective story, or even an action book with a fair amount of talking. 4.5 out of 5.
Nick, Ms. Giannakopoulos
For those of you who love a compelling and romantic love story, this book is for you. "The Painted Kiss" by Elizabeth Hickey, begins when a young Viennese girl named Emilie Floge is forced by her father to take drawing classes with a man by the name of Gustav Klimt. It follows the growing relationship between Klimt and Emilie, who branches off from a naive girl to a blooming woman. She becomes a mistress to one of the most controversial artists of Vienna's time and the owner of an extravagent fashion house that Klimt helps design. Her world is overflowing with the beauty of art and truth, and yet is soon to be condemned by the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even though Emilie is never certain of her place in Klimt's life, she is always an influential presence, helping him through tragedies, diffedence, and triumph- and eventually serving as the model for his greatest work of art. As said by the author, "It is a moving love story that is as sensual and compelling as a work by Klimt himself." I strongly suggest you read The Painted Kiss because once you read the first few chapters, something extraordinary will happen to you. You start to yield all your emotions into the story and sooner or later you'll feel as if you're the one in love. This book will affect you on so many levels that you won't even dare to put it down. The Painted Kiss's wonderful and emotional effects will always stay with me and I expect many more great novels from its author.
Gaby Ms.Giannakopoulos Per 3
For those of you who love a compelling and romantic love story, this book is for you. "The Painted Kiss" by Elizabeth Hickey, begins when a young Viennese girl named Emilie Floge is forced by her father to take drawing classes with a man by the name of Gustav Klimt. It follows the growing relationship between Klimt and Emilie, who branches off from a naive girl to a blooming woman. She becomes a mistress to one of the most controversial artists of Vienna's time and the owner of an extravagant fashion house that Klimt helps design. Her world is overflowing with the beauty of art and truth, and yet is soon to be condemned by the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even though Emilie is never certain of her place in Klimt's life, she is always an influential presence, helping him through tragedies, diffidence, and triumph- and eventually serving as the model for his greatest work of art. As said by the author, "It is a moving love story that is as sensual and compelling as a work by Klimt himself." I strongly suggest you read The Painted Kiss because once you read the first few chapters, something extraordinary will happen to you. You start to yield all your emotions into the story and sooner or later you'll feel as if you're the one in love. This book will affect you on so many levels that you won't even dare to put it down. The Painted Kiss's wonderful and emotional effects will always stay with me and I expect many more great novels from its author.
Gaby Ms.Giannakopoulos Per 3
-i didnt see my post up here, so im resending it just in case.
Scribbler of Dreams, written by Mary E. Pearson is a very intense and intriguing book. I enjoyed reading this book because the author makes you want more, and it is very hard to set this book down. It is solely based on these two families; the Malone’s, and the Crutchfield’s. They have a known hatred toward each other that has been an ongoing tradition for the past one hundred years. The main character Kaitlin Malone is thrown into an upside down world when harsh times hit her family, and they are forced to attend their enemy’s, the Crutchfield’s high school. When she falls for a guy by the name of Bram Crutchfield, she has found herself caught up in a tangled mess of continuing lies that she must tell in order to conceal her identity and protect their love. In this modern day love story, these families must encounter many obstacles that can either bind or break their families, and the choices made along the way may raise hope for a new beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good novel. Many teenage girls can most likely relate to some of these events, and it is written in a tone that makes it easily understandable. If you would like a book that will take you on an exciting, yet emotional rollercoaster, then this book is for you.
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