A Place Called Home

A Place to Call Home, by Jackie French Koller [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Corey

I read this book because it was one of the books I had to read, but at the same time I sort of enjoyed it. I enjoyed how the author describes the situation of her mom’s suicide. At one part, when she is at the park that she has her little hangout in the log cabin, she sees a yellow glow emitting from the lake and then she takes a closer look and realizes that is her mom’s yellow station wagon that she had been driving when she left. Then the main character meets reality and discovers that her mom is probably long gone. She tries to think what she should do because her two siblings, mostly the five-year-old, keeps asking, “When’s Mommy coming home?” and she doesn’t have an answer for her question. She decides to play it cool and say that she is coming home — that way they don’t get put into foster care without their siblings. Then before she has time to cherish the last week or two with them, someone other than her finds the station wagon and they call the cops and then every one of the siblings is wanted except her, so find out what happens. Does she go with them? Does she find a family to live with?

Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole, by Peter Abrahams [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Corey

The best book I read this summer was Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams. The book is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you hooked right until the end. This book held my interest and made me want to read on because of how beautifully Peter Abrahams described the main character, Ingrid. This book is about a girl who loves acting and soccer but one day she wanders over by cracked-up Katie because she thinks it will be a faster way to get to soccer practice so she ends up not remembering the way to go to soccer practice so she stops at her house and waits for a taxi to bring her to soccer so in the meantime she forgets her red Puma soccer cleats at her house and goes back to go and get them but then she learns about her murder and then Chief Strade asks her all of these questions about if she had known her and if she had seen her that day and then he showed her the picture of the evidence at the crime scene from that day, and the Pumas are there and then she notices she is in the center of the whole murder. Find out how she deals with this and keep reading until you get to the big surprise — you will be shocked at the end!

A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Annie, highschooler

This book was very interesting.  When I picked it, the cover is what intrigued me so.  I knew immediately that it was set in the late 1800s, which is one of my favorite eras, and was excited to read of the beauty of the time.  When I took it off the shelf, I had no idea the book was about magic realms and a secret order that drastically impacts Gemma’s 1895 life.

I really love the idea of another world; one of dreams and wishes come true.  I also loved Pippa’s lust for love, throughout the story-line.  Although seemingly, somewhat friendly with the girls, Felicity worries me with her hunger for power. I thought the ending was good, but Pippa’s fate was both happy and devastatingly sad.  And I just adore Kartik! Seeing as this is the first of a trilogy, I plan on continuing it, by next reading Rebel Angels.  I give three stars to A Great and Terrible Beauty. ( * * * )

Rebel Angels

Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Annie, highschooler

I’ve just finished Rebel Angels by Libba Bray and I thought that it was the perfect sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty, while also leaving room for third book, which is now out, and I intend to read it next.  I would give this book THREE STARS ( * * * ) because I thought the plot was very addictive.  I really liked how Gemma, Felicity, and, Ann explore more of the realms and I loved how I got to sort of create my own idea of the beautiful lands, using Libba Bray’s descriptive imagery.  The twist at the end of the book was something that I never would have expected, but I was kind of disappointed, I really like Miss Moore!  I thought that Pippa’s character would become even more evil in the end, but Bray left that portion somewhat open-ended to leave plot for the third installment.  I do hope that the alliance between Kartik and Gemma holds strong in the next book, because, I LOVE KARTIK!!!!  Oh, and also, what is with this Simon kid?  Does he really love Gemma, or does he just think they would “make a fine match”?  I really hope Gemma picks Kartik in the end!! (I would!) It seems as if I’ve truly become engrossed in this series’ plot, but the part that I really love about the books are the time period that they are set in; 1895.  The detail is great and everything is quite accurate. In addition, I love to imagine that beautiful everything of the era; it takes me back in time…  I love it!!!!

Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism

Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism, by Georgia Byng [J Fiction]

Reviewed by Fudi

If you had the power to hypnotize anyone, what would you do? Make the world a better place, right? Well, that what Molly tries to do starting with her orphanage. But when someone starts tries to use hypnotism to rule the world, it is up to Molly to save the world. Read the book to see if she succeeds.

I really like this book and other books by this author. This book reminds me of the saying, “It’s not a matter of where you come from but rather what you bring to the table,” because even though Molly comes from an orphanage, she may soon save the world against an evil reign.

Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Fudi

Roy Eberharat has finally found a permanent home after moving six times. But this home isn’t all to his liking. On his first day to school, he gets beat-up. And his life begins to go downhill after that until he meets Mullet Fingers. Mullet want to save Burrow Owls and their homes from being trampled over by a pancake house. Roy decides to join Mullet and help the owls. However, it seems that whatever they do they can’t successfully protect the owls’ homes. Will they finally be able to save the owls and their homes? Read the book to find out about their adventure.

This book is such an inspirational book about protecting Earth’s creatures and itself. It definitely inspired me, and hopefully, you will too. Enjoy!

The Dangerous Book of Boys

The Dangerous Book of Boys, by Conn Iggulden [J Nonfiction]

Reviewed by Fudi, superreviewer

There is a saying that goes, “Knowledge is power.” And this applies to this book. The book includes about eighty things a boy should know from how to build a tree house to how to tie knots. It’s a very good reference book. I had fun reading this book. Also if you like learning about new things, then this is the book for you.

Elsewhere

Elsewhere, by Gabrielle Zevin [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Fudi, superreviewer

This story is about a girl, Elizabeth, who dies. When she wakes up, she is on a cruise ship and on her way to Elsewhere. Elsewhere is the place where people go after they die. It is heaven and hell, a world parallel from ours. Everything is the same between the worlds, except that everyone grows younger until they are born again. The plot of this book is mostly about the girl’s struggles and he triumphs in this strange world.

I had a great time with this book because the topic was very interesting. It gives a unique take on life after death, and if this is something you’re interested in, then this is the book for you.

Scat

Scat, by Carl Hiaasen [J Fiction]

Reviewed by Potbelly

This book is about a teacher that goes missing in the swamp. It turns out the teacher is saving a panther. This is a good book. I would recommend it.

Bloomability

Bloomability, by Sharon Creech [Teen Fiction]

Reviewed by Sreya

A girl gets “kidnapped” by her aunt and uncle because of there being trouble with her family. She goes to a private school in Switzerland and students around the world there. She meets many friends. I loved it.