I had to read and review this book for amazon.com -- maybe some of you will see it on the shelves at the local bookstore -- here is my review -- but please, if you do read it, feel free to write to disagree:
2 stars -- this one should go back to the drawing board
... I’m always looking for new YA authors and new books to add to our school shelves. This novel won’t be one that I purchase. I wanted to like it – the ingredients seemed to be there – the premise: an older sister, Nina, has vanished without a trace and has been missing for 2 years. The sister is portrayed as being a bit wild, sneaking out at night, etc. The younger sister, Ellie, finds a clue (that happens to be a drawing) and sets off to find her in what I thought would be a suspenseful and mysterious search. Unfortunately, this story just never got off the ground. The rest of the plot was thin, contrived, and unrealistic as it evolved. The character of Ellie was the only one that was somewhat developed; the supporting cast was totally stereotypical -- from the absent, completely clueless mother to the gay boss at the coffee shop. The cross country trek Ellie takes with a stranger, a “hot guy” named Sean, was intrinsically unbelievable and relied on some assumptions about the ability of teenagers to rent hotel rooms at their age and have access to that kind of time away from home, school, jobs and also the amount of money needed. I don’t mind a stretch of credulity in a teen novel now and again, but this was way too much from start to finish. The story fell apart for me as Sean and Ellie start on their harebrained journey in his car, meeting up with random people following a band – the clues or whatever these drawings are just made no sense. There was never any mention of the family enlisting detectives or police to look for this missing girl, the mother’s lack of interest in the whereabouts of her daughter, the denouement and revelation of the reason for the disappearance and the lack of contact – well it just didn’t work. I had to force myself to finish. There was no suspense in the book and the “bad guy” really wasn’t very menacing, Ellie was immature with very poor judgment, her friendship with Amanda didn’t feel realistic, and the way the book ended all added up to a forgettable read by a debut author. Recommendation: Skip it.
Mrs. C.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
New Books!
The following new books are now available for checkout from the library......
Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley -- "sometimes high school really is a matter of life or death....Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is. Even worse: she's dead. And all because of a guy and a gummy bear."
Kitty, Kitty by Michel Jaffe -- this is the sequel to Bad Kitty. "Jasmine had everything a girl could want. It wasn't her idea to move to Venice......but it's not so bad until her cousin and best friend arrive. Faster than you can say "gelato," Jasmine is caught up in a catastrophic caper...."
The Sorcerer King by Frewin Jones -- this is book three in the Faerie Path series. "Tania is a princess of the Faerie Court, but the Court now lies in ruins. Tania and her love must travel to find and rescue the King who is their only hope for defeating the evil Sorcerer King."
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters -- "Phoebe is just your typical goth girl with a crush. He's strong and silent...and dead. All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. They are coming back to life, but they are no longer the same." Funny!!!
Strays by Ron Koertge -- "Ted's parents just died in a fiery car crash, and now he's stuck with a set of semi-psycho foster parents, two foster brothers and a high school full of delinquents sure to eat him alive. He's having pretty much the worst year of his miserable life. Or so he thinks."
Enjoy!
Mrs. C.
The following new books are now available for checkout from the library......
Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley -- "sometimes high school really is a matter of life or death....Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is. Even worse: she's dead. And all because of a guy and a gummy bear."
Kitty, Kitty by Michel Jaffe -- this is the sequel to Bad Kitty. "Jasmine had everything a girl could want. It wasn't her idea to move to Venice......but it's not so bad until her cousin and best friend arrive. Faster than you can say "gelato," Jasmine is caught up in a catastrophic caper...."
The Sorcerer King by Frewin Jones -- this is book three in the Faerie Path series. "Tania is a princess of the Faerie Court, but the Court now lies in ruins. Tania and her love must travel to find and rescue the King who is their only hope for defeating the evil Sorcerer King."
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters -- "Phoebe is just your typical goth girl with a crush. He's strong and silent...and dead. All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. They are coming back to life, but they are no longer the same." Funny!!!
Strays by Ron Koertge -- "Ted's parents just died in a fiery car crash, and now he's stuck with a set of semi-psycho foster parents, two foster brothers and a high school full of delinquents sure to eat him alive. He's having pretty much the worst year of his miserable life. Or so he thinks."
Enjoy!
Mrs. C.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Review by Chance Norton
The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
Four out of Five stars: Excellent Book
This is a book that has everything a reader could want, action mixed with romance, violence mixed with sensitivity. Set in the future, in a place that was once North America, this novel tells the tale of a country dominated by the oppressive “Capitol” which is the ruling city of Panem. Panem is composed of twelve districts; each named so for one of the rebellions that was crushed by the armies of the Capitol. As a reminder of their complete domination of the districts, the Capitol takes one boy and one girl from each district every year to compete in their “Hunger Games.”
These gladiatorial style games are a source of entertainment for the richer districts and the Capitol, and a source of dread for the poor, lower class, who are literally forced into the life and death competitions. This novel is the first in a series by Suzanne Collins, following the life of two teenagers from District Twelve, made to leave their homes and compete with the best from every other district… as well as each other.
By Suzanne Collins
Four out of Five stars: Excellent Book
This is a book that has everything a reader could want, action mixed with romance, violence mixed with sensitivity. Set in the future, in a place that was once North America, this novel tells the tale of a country dominated by the oppressive “Capitol” which is the ruling city of Panem. Panem is composed of twelve districts; each named so for one of the rebellions that was crushed by the armies of the Capitol. As a reminder of their complete domination of the districts, the Capitol takes one boy and one girl from each district every year to compete in their “Hunger Games.”
These gladiatorial style games are a source of entertainment for the richer districts and the Capitol, and a source of dread for the poor, lower class, who are literally forced into the life and death competitions. This novel is the first in a series by Suzanne Collins, following the life of two teenagers from District Twelve, made to leave their homes and compete with the best from every other district… as well as each other.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Twilight/New Moon Student Review by MaKayla Quinn
These two books, Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, are the most amazing I've ever read. The twists in the plot, the characters, and the descriptiveness will keep readers turning the pages faster than Edward can say "No." I love these books and can't wait to read Eclipse.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
New Books!!
The following new books have just arrived. Come by and check these out.
Vibes by Amy Ryan -- "It isn't easy being able to read minds..." (previously reviewed, see below)
Hot new series:
The Alchemyst -- the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
This name should be familiar to all you Harry Potter fans!
"An ancient book is lost. The modern world could be ripped apart at the seams."
From summary -- "While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, 15 year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists... over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life."
The Magician -- the sequel to the NY Times Bestselling book The Alchemyst -- continues the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel
All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard
"Two best friends, a horrific accident. One survives, but which one?" This book is based on a true story of mistaken identity.
The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
" Each twin has visions -- but is that a blessing or a curse? One twin has the power to see into the future, one to see deep into the past. Only they can put a stop to the threat that looms over their small town. That is, if their powers don't tear them apart first."
Vibes by Amy Ryan -- "It isn't easy being able to read minds..." (previously reviewed, see below)
Hot new series:
The Alchemyst -- the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
This name should be familiar to all you Harry Potter fans!
"An ancient book is lost. The modern world could be ripped apart at the seams."
From summary -- "While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, 15 year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists... over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life."
The Magician -- the sequel to the NY Times Bestselling book The Alchemyst -- continues the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel
All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard
"Two best friends, a horrific accident. One survives, but which one?" This book is based on a true story of mistaken identity.
The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
" Each twin has visions -- but is that a blessing or a curse? One twin has the power to see into the future, one to see deep into the past. Only they can put a stop to the threat that looms over their small town. That is, if their powers don't tear them apart first."
Monday, September 8, 2008
3.5 Stars -- Review by Chance Norton
Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
How many people have wished they were smarter? Or that maybe, just this once they could pull off a heist? Maybe have a butler that is more than just a butler?
In this third volume of Artemis’ adventures with the People (fairies of course), Artemis does all this and more with his friends. This book has everything a YA reader could want, plot twists, horrible bad guys, loveable good guys and not so loveable antiheros.
Artemis’ plan is of course to collect even more money in this novel and he sets out to get it by NOT selling his C-Cube, which is a futuristic part fairy portable technology. DVD player, VHS player, security slicer, MP3 player, ect. There is nothing this thing cannot do. And the man he wants to NOT sell this wonderful piece of technology for is a man named John Spiro, industry leader in the very things the C-Cube will take over. Needless to say he is not pleased by this revelation and sets out to make the C-Cube his… No matter what happens to Artemis and his friends.
I recommend this book for all fans of the series and everyone who likes a good weekend read with plenty of humor, plenty of action, and of course, fairies.
How many people have wished they were smarter? Or that maybe, just this once they could pull off a heist? Maybe have a butler that is more than just a butler?
In this third volume of Artemis’ adventures with the People (fairies of course), Artemis does all this and more with his friends. This book has everything a YA reader could want, plot twists, horrible bad guys, loveable good guys and not so loveable antiheros.
Artemis’ plan is of course to collect even more money in this novel and he sets out to get it by NOT selling his C-Cube, which is a futuristic part fairy portable technology. DVD player, VHS player, security slicer, MP3 player, ect. There is nothing this thing cannot do. And the man he wants to NOT sell this wonderful piece of technology for is a man named John Spiro, industry leader in the very things the C-Cube will take over. Needless to say he is not pleased by this revelation and sets out to make the C-Cube his… No matter what happens to Artemis and his friends.
I recommend this book for all fans of the series and everyone who likes a good weekend read with plenty of humor, plenty of action, and of course, fairies.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Book Club for September
We are reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult for this month's OHS book club.
I have 5 copies of it available for check out so stop by and pick up yours. If you prefer, you may obtain the book from a local public library. Our meeting will be held on Friday, September 26 at 7:40 am in the library. All interested students who read the book are welcome to join us. Bring your breakfast!
Mrs. C.
I have 5 copies of it available for check out so stop by and pick up yours. If you prefer, you may obtain the book from a local public library. Our meeting will be held on Friday, September 26 at 7:40 am in the library. All interested students who read the book are welcome to join us. Bring your breakfast!
Mrs. C.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Need a good book?
We have 750 YA books in the library -- stop by!
The Hunger Games -- now arrived!
Recent new books:
Identical by Ellen Hopkins -- this is a new one by the queen of free verse. If you liked her other books, you might want to check this one out as well. It's about twins who seem to have it all, but there are horrible secrets behind the door to their home.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox -- How far would you go to save someone you love?
Artemis Fowl -- #6 in the series The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer -- After disappearing for three years, he's returned to a life much different than the one he had.
The Fourth Book of Ember -- The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau -- A darkness different from Ember's, but just as frightening. The first book in this series is slated for motion picture release in Fall 2008.
And...if you haven't yet read the first one in the popular series about vampires, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, you'll want to do that before the movie comes out
Twilight the Movie
Release date: November 21, 2008
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_movie.html
Come on in and check out a good book for the weekend.
Mrs. C.
The Hunger Games -- now arrived!
Recent new books:
Identical by Ellen Hopkins -- this is a new one by the queen of free verse. If you liked her other books, you might want to check this one out as well. It's about twins who seem to have it all, but there are horrible secrets behind the door to their home.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox -- How far would you go to save someone you love?
Artemis Fowl -- #6 in the series The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer -- After disappearing for three years, he's returned to a life much different than the one he had.
The Fourth Book of Ember -- The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau -- A darkness different from Ember's, but just as frightening. The first book in this series is slated for motion picture release in Fall 2008.
And...if you haven't yet read the first one in the popular series about vampires, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, you'll want to do that before the movie comes out
Twilight the Movie
Release date: November 21, 2008
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_movie.html
Come on in and check out a good book for the weekend.
Mrs. C.
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