Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
The Twilight series books were the most fantastic books I have ever read. They were so full of detail, plot twists, and action that I had to read each chapter at least twice before I could understand it! All of the characters were so detailed and full of emotion. It literally felt like the characters were there with me or like I was part of the story. The entire Twilight Series should be in every teenager's bookshelf. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I first picked up Twilight. After reading it I was dying to get New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. Now after finishing Breaking Dawn last month, I can finally put my appreciation for Stephenie Meyer's magnificent creations into words. In my personal favorite authors, including J.K. Rowling, Darren Shan, Sue Monk Kidd, and Richard Bachmen, Stephenie Meyer is at the top of the list. The Twilight Series is now one of my top favorite book series next to Harry Potter. All in all, the Twilight Series gets 5 out of 5 stars from me. If they mess up the movie, I will go Volturi on Warner Bro. They shouldn't because the Harry Potter movies have been great so far.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Chance Norton
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
3 out of 5 Stars
This book by James Patterson has an interesting plot, and also an interesting idea behind it but was written in a childish way. The emotions of the characters, their motivations are simple; nothing is complex in their thought process or actions. The book is also written in James Patterson’s unique style, with a new chapter every three or four pages which can be refreshing but can also be a little annoying if you are not used to it.
This book's saving grace is the fact that the children in this book, the flock, have a very cool ability. They can fly. Throughout the entire book I was thinking of how cool it would be to be able to do the things that the flock does. Another plus is a plot twist regarding their beginnings (which was sort of skipped over in this book) that I cannot tell you because it would ruin the best part of the book. On the other side, a negative is the enemies of the flock. Erasers. Man-Wolf creatures. This is an example of the childishness of the novel. There are more inspiring names for enemies as potentially frightening as these than something you wipe up chalk with.
All in all this is a book which has potential to be good but needs a lot of work. Giving the characters more depth, making the book as a whole less predictable, and writing it at your audience’s reading level would help Patterson immensely. I would recommend reading this book but only because being able to fly would be really cool.
3 out of 5 Stars
This book by James Patterson has an interesting plot, and also an interesting idea behind it but was written in a childish way. The emotions of the characters, their motivations are simple; nothing is complex in their thought process or actions. The book is also written in James Patterson’s unique style, with a new chapter every three or four pages which can be refreshing but can also be a little annoying if you are not used to it.
This book's saving grace is the fact that the children in this book, the flock, have a very cool ability. They can fly. Throughout the entire book I was thinking of how cool it would be to be able to do the things that the flock does. Another plus is a plot twist regarding their beginnings (which was sort of skipped over in this book) that I cannot tell you because it would ruin the best part of the book. On the other side, a negative is the enemies of the flock. Erasers. Man-Wolf creatures. This is an example of the childishness of the novel. There are more inspiring names for enemies as potentially frightening as these than something you wipe up chalk with.
All in all this is a book which has potential to be good but needs a lot of work. Giving the characters more depth, making the book as a whole less predictable, and writing it at your audience’s reading level would help Patterson immensely. I would recommend reading this book but only because being able to fly would be really cool.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
3 Stars for this one.......Yawn.....
The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer
The plot: a bad girl (who really isn't all that bad) is sent to a reform school by remote, tired, and stoic parents sick of the misbehavior of their offspring. The story reminded me a bit of Lord of the Flies - kids on their own without adult supervision and protection. The setting, however, was not a deserted island where children were alone and left to run amok, but was a boarding school managed by unscrupulous administrators and psychologists, etc. The girls are allowed to treat each other according to whim at the behest of their therapists and other school mates. Those in charge punish the girls for infractions by various methods including locking one girl in a freezer or putting them in solitary confinement in a basement.
The story breaks down when, after misbehavior, Angela is taken from her place as golden thread and abandoned in the realm of the purple thread girls - the ones that can't be rehabilitated. These abandoned girls are housed in a hidden gymnasium where they are left to their own devices. After Angela joins them, they become "organized" and have some turf wars, attempt to get evidence of wrongdoings, experience some additional page wasting antics, and then, as you might expect, have a nicely wrapped up, but not completely pulled together, happy ending. Recommendation: Yawn............
The plot: a bad girl (who really isn't all that bad) is sent to a reform school by remote, tired, and stoic parents sick of the misbehavior of their offspring. The story reminded me a bit of Lord of the Flies - kids on their own without adult supervision and protection. The setting, however, was not a deserted island where children were alone and left to run amok, but was a boarding school managed by unscrupulous administrators and psychologists, etc. The girls are allowed to treat each other according to whim at the behest of their therapists and other school mates. Those in charge punish the girls for infractions by various methods including locking one girl in a freezer or putting them in solitary confinement in a basement.
The story breaks down when, after misbehavior, Angela is taken from her place as golden thread and abandoned in the realm of the purple thread girls - the ones that can't be rehabilitated. These abandoned girls are housed in a hidden gymnasium where they are left to their own devices. After Angela joins them, they become "organized" and have some turf wars, attempt to get evidence of wrongdoings, experience some additional page wasting antics, and then, as you might expect, have a nicely wrapped up, but not completely pulled together, happy ending. Recommendation: Yawn............
Monday, October 13, 2008
Just fantastic!
The Woman in White (Barnes & Noble Classics)
by Wilkie Collins
Let me say this -- I LOVED this book. I devoured it over a couple of days and have reread pages and passages since. I don't often choose to read victorian gothic, but the characters and the plot devices really hooked me. Setting: England, circa 1800s. Lush countryside estates. Characters: Two half sisters, bound through maternal line -- one rich, one poor -- one pretty, one not so much -- one very clever, the other, well -- is a tool to be abused. And get this -- an obese count to play the part of villain along with a dastardly baronet to wed an orphan girl.....you'll love it. And also -- get the Andrew Lloyd Webber CD of the musical with the same name AND watch the masterpiece theater version as well. Three ways to enjoy this splendid tale. I would rate it higher than 5 stars if I could!
by Wilkie Collins
Let me say this -- I LOVED this book. I devoured it over a couple of days and have reread pages and passages since. I don't often choose to read victorian gothic, but the characters and the plot devices really hooked me. Setting: England, circa 1800s. Lush countryside estates. Characters: Two half sisters, bound through maternal line -- one rich, one poor -- one pretty, one not so much -- one very clever, the other, well -- is a tool to be abused. And get this -- an obese count to play the part of villain along with a dastardly baronet to wed an orphan girl.....you'll love it. And also -- get the Andrew Lloyd Webber CD of the musical with the same name AND watch the masterpiece theater version as well. Three ways to enjoy this splendid tale. I would rate it higher than 5 stars if I could!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
October Book Club
Attention – would you like to join the October Book Club? We are reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. We have 7 copies of the book available in the library. Stop by if you are interested. All students are welcome to join. Our meeting will be held in the library on Friday, October 31 at 7:40 am. Bring your breakfast and join in the great discussion of a hugely popular book.
Review by Chance Norton
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini 3/5 Stars
Brisingr is an engaging book and a decent addition to this popular series but is not of quite the same quality as the first two. While having plenty of action, elements of the romance seen in the first two book, and also new pieces to the plot, the book has a feel of being a setup for the final book, and not a stand alone interesting read. In other words, this is a book that will never be the favorite of the series for anyone who reads it.
All in all I would give this book a 3 of 5 stars, for its interesting plot fillers but also its unnecessary dragging out of the story. This series could have been completed in three books like was originally planned but was possibly drawn out to produce more money.
Brisingr is an engaging book and a decent addition to this popular series but is not of quite the same quality as the first two. While having plenty of action, elements of the romance seen in the first two book, and also new pieces to the plot, the book has a feel of being a setup for the final book, and not a stand alone interesting read. In other words, this is a book that will never be the favorite of the series for anyone who reads it.
All in all I would give this book a 3 of 5 stars, for its interesting plot fillers but also its unnecessary dragging out of the story. This series could have been completed in three books like was originally planned but was possibly drawn out to produce more money.
Friday, October 3, 2008
New books!
Three new titles just in for your reading pleasure:
Basketball, anyone?
On the Devil's Court by Carl Deuker
"After reading Doctor Faustus, Joe considers the merits of selling his soul to the devil. Suddenly, he finds himself changing from a lousy basketball player and a C student to the star athlete he always dreamed he could be. Even though he isn't sure if he actually made a deal with the devil, he can't help but enjoy the benefits that come with his new found abilities. But is achieving his dreams worth what he may have given up?"
An ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults and Reluctant Readers
A little romance?
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
"Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl wants. So why is she so unhappy? It takes the arrival of a new boy for Lauren to figure out the answer. She needs to make a choice, before one is made for her."
Life-changing?
Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess
"They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only 15, and today her father is coming home from prison. Today her time has run out."
Check them out in your school library.
Mrs. C.
Basketball, anyone?
On the Devil's Court by Carl Deuker
"After reading Doctor Faustus, Joe considers the merits of selling his soul to the devil. Suddenly, he finds himself changing from a lousy basketball player and a C student to the star athlete he always dreamed he could be. Even though he isn't sure if he actually made a deal with the devil, he can't help but enjoy the benefits that come with his new found abilities. But is achieving his dreams worth what he may have given up?"
An ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults and Reluctant Readers
A little romance?
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
"Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl wants. So why is she so unhappy? It takes the arrival of a new boy for Lauren to figure out the answer. She needs to make a choice, before one is made for her."
Life-changing?
Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess
"They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only 15, and today her father is coming home from prison. Today her time has run out."
Check them out in your school library.
Mrs. C.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Teen Read Week 2008
"October 12th-18th is Teen Read Week. Join thousands of teens across the country who will be reading for the fun of it as schools, libraries and bookstores celebrate this year's theme, "Books with Bite @ your library.”
If you would like to receive a monthly copy of the online Teenreads.com newsletter, go to the website and sign up using your email address.
If you would like to receive a monthly copy of the online Teenreads.com newsletter, go to the website and sign up using your email address.
Books into Movies.....
From Teenreads.com Newsletter:
"NICK & NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST actually began when author Rachel Cohn mentioned to her friend, fellow writer David Levithan, her idea for a novel. Two New Jersey teenagers would meet at a music club in Manhattan and have an all-night series of adventures as they keep searching for where the next great band is playing. Levithan loved the idea so much that he asked if he could write Nick’s part, and Cohn agreed. A few months later, he sent her Nick’s opening chapter, and they began emailing each other back and forth for the rest of the summer. Without any planning, the book --- which Levithan has called “a truly kick-... love story” --- thus emerged and has now been adapted into a major motion picture. Starring Michael Cera of Superbad and Juno fame, and releasing on October 3rd, this is one movie you won’t want to miss."
We have a copy of this book in our library. Check it out or place it on hold now!
"NICK & NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST actually began when author Rachel Cohn mentioned to her friend, fellow writer David Levithan, her idea for a novel. Two New Jersey teenagers would meet at a music club in Manhattan and have an all-night series of adventures as they keep searching for where the next great band is playing. Levithan loved the idea so much that he asked if he could write Nick’s part, and Cohn agreed. A few months later, he sent her Nick’s opening chapter, and they began emailing each other back and forth for the rest of the summer. Without any planning, the book --- which Levithan has called “a truly kick-... love story” --- thus emerged and has now been adapted into a major motion picture. Starring Michael Cera of Superbad and Juno fame, and releasing on October 3rd, this is one movie you won’t want to miss."
We have a copy of this book in our library. Check it out or place it on hold now!
More new books!
The newest titles added to our library collection are the conclusions to two trilogies that many of you may have been reading.
Brisingr -- Book Three of the Inheritance series (Eragon, Eldest) by Christopher Paolini is the last in this wildly popular tale of warriors, magic, and dragons.
oaths sworn..loyalties tested..forces collide."
Inkdeath -- the third book in the Inheart series (Inheart, Inkspell) by Cornelia Funke is the "stunning conclusion to the bestselling triology." The movie based on the first book will be coming out January 9, 2009.
http://www.themovieinsider.com/m2077/inkheart/
Look for these or place a hold now!
Mrs. C.
Brisingr -- Book Three of the Inheritance series (Eragon, Eldest) by Christopher Paolini is the last in this wildly popular tale of warriors, magic, and dragons.
oaths sworn..loyalties tested..forces collide."
Inkdeath -- the third book in the Inheart series (Inheart, Inkspell) by Cornelia Funke is the "stunning conclusion to the bestselling triology." The movie based on the first book will be coming out January 9, 2009.
http://www.themovieinsider.com/m2077/inkheart/
Look for these or place a hold now!
Mrs. C.
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