LHS Library Book Reviews

The Spirit and Gilly Bucket

2010-05-14T11:23:00.001-06:00

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Breakingfree:

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head to the north child:

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MLA FORMATTING BY BIBME.org

Friction

2010-05-14T08:11:00.004-06:00

The story of Alex, an early-teenage girl, who be-friends the outcast new girl in class, Stacey. But when the new girl decides to tell a few stories about her and her teacher, Simon, tension in the school becomes sharp. Alex decides to find out her back story and discovers a truth too startling for words.

This intense story makes you want to keep turning the page to see what happens next. Even though the vocabulary and usage of language could be better, the storyline is too good to put it on the shelf.

2010-05-13T12:22:00.006-06:00

Stephen King's novel Cell is a griping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A cartoon artist is headed home from work when the pulse happens. A disaster that effects cell phones and turns people using their cell phones into flesh eating zombies. Trapped in Boston the cartoon artist and a group of friends must survive to escape the city and find out who is responsible for this disaster. Cell is a excellent read for those who are into Stephen King books. Also if you like horror books Cell provides many suspenseful chapters that keep you guessing till the very end. Cell is a must read for all fans of horror and Stephen King.

Needful Things by Stephen King

2010-05-13T12:12:00.004-06:00

You've been here before.

Sure you have. Sure. I never forget a face.......

Welcome to Castle Rock, a town strangely as familiar as your own. Come one, come all! A new store has just opened up, called Needful Things, a nifty little store run by a peculiar man. What is so wonderful about this little store you might ask? Why, it has something for everybody! And not just any something.... whatever your heart's secret desire - sexual pleasure, wealth, power, or even more precious things.... it's all for sale. For every item has it's price....... and the owner is always willing to make a bargain. So come one, come all! Discover the wonders of Needful Things and the charm of Leland Gaunt, but beware; the price of your heart's desire is up to Mr. Gaunt, and Mr. Gaunt only accepts twisted favors...... abandon hope all ye who enter here.....

Dirtier Than Ever

2010-05-12T13:00:00.002-06:00

Autho Vickie M Stringer

This books is the sequel to Dirty Red and Still Dirty. This book is about a gold digger named red who learned at an early age that men were nothing but dogs. so she used her body to get what ever she wanted out of any man. she came across some men in the books and they all are out to get revenge on her in the third book. she leaves men hanging when they get locked up in jail and in the end she is the one who pays for all of it. All the men she did wrong come back to haunt her and they take there revenge.

The Men and the Girls

2010-05-12T10:55:00.003-06:00

The novel was written by Joanna Trollope, a popular writer in England who's books usually cover topics about relationships. In The Men and the Girls, Trollope uncovers the lives of two men in their sixties who are in long term relationships with women half their own age. While one man, Hugh, is dealing with the decline of his career, he is not certain how to deal with the fact that his new younger wife is now becoming the financial supporter of the family. Hugh's best friend James is also having troubles with his younger partner Kate who is becoming restless and ready to end their eight year relationship. Overall the novel is compelling and keeps the reader interested and intrigued through out the story. I recommend this book to anyone interested in stories of love and life.

The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint

2010-05-12T09:34:00.005-06:00

The first thing to catch a readers attention in this book is that the character is not typical, not attempting to be normal in any way. Imogene grew up with hippie parents who were complete stoners, so she learned to avoid police and never trust 'The Man'. She begins a new school, this time, deciding to clean up her act after parting from her previous gang. Imogene befriends Maxine, bonding as outcasts. Maxine with her straight A's rubs off on Imogene, but at the same time Imogene teaches her to be more of herself and stand up for herself. Then, things start to become weird, Imogen talkes with a ghost, Adrian, who just so happens to know some local fairies, and wants to convince Imogene they're real. Inadvertently this brings Imogene to the attention of the Anathimin...the soul suckers. From that point on the story begins a quirky but interesting adventure to rid her of them.

Caitlyn

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

2010-03-03T12:18:00.004-06:00

Jurassic Park is an exciting and intellectual novel published by Michael Crichton in 1990. The novel tells the story of one man's quest to restore the beasts of the Jurassic age; dinosaurs. Using immense wealth through his corporation InGen and genetic science, John Hammond is able to fulfill his quest, and thus constructs a dinosaur amusement park on a fictional remote island near Costa Rica called Isla Nublar. As a final step to open his park, Hammond must invite experts of different fields to come and examine the park and ensure that it is safe for mass crowds. Among the experts are paleotologist Alan Grant, his assistant paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, mathematician and chaos theorist Ian Malcolm, and finally a lawyer representing the investors; Donald Gennaro. Upon inspecting the island and finding the dinosaurs to be real, the visitors are in awe. Everything goes to plan until Dennis Nedry, the parks head programmer and mastermind behind the parks computer controlled systems, temporarily shuts the park down in order to fulfill an inside job funded by InGens rival genetic corporation, Biosyn. Nedry does not make it back to the control room as he had planned and without it's systems back online in the wake of a crushing storm, the park falls into disarray, leaving the visitors to fend for themselves against a prehistoric nightmare.

City Of Bones - Cassandra Clare

2010-03-03T08:22:00.002-06:00

The first book in The Mortal Instruments trilogy makes you fall in love with the characters. It's told as if the world as we know it has a whole other dark side that is unseen to the human eye, that is, unless you are a shadowhunter. Vampires and werewolves, faeries and demons, they once lived in fragile peace until Valentine takes control over the demons to wreck havoc on everyone. The shadowhunters, those decendants of the few who drank from the angels cup, are the only ones capable of fighting these dark forces with the help of runes carved into their skin. Clary, who lives alone with her mother in a single apartment finds everything shaken when her apartment is torn up and her mother missing. Until then she believed her world to be normal and vampires to be fantasy. She begins seeing things that 'aren't there' and finds out just how much of her past has been hidden from her, and that she is a very strong shadowhunter. ~ Caitlyn W.

Boss Lady By Omar Tyree

2010-03-02T13:02:00.005-06:00

This book is about Tracy Ellison who is the lead character in Fly Girl and For the Love of Money.She is grown up now and very successful in her career. Her book Fly Girl is about her life as a teenager growing up in the eighties. After her little cousin Vanessa got into a fight with her mother Tracy said that she could come and live with her. Tracy knew that it would be a learning experience for Vanessa. Vanessa has the drive to become successful. Vanessa finishes high school and is going to college while living with Tracy. She wants to learn all that she can while living with Tracy so that she can make it on her own. Vanessa does not want to have to depend on her older cousin for ever. Vanessa is also pushing Tracy into making Fly Girl a movie. Girls from there home town Philadelphia look up to her and would love to see Fly Girl on film. After harassing Tracy about it for two in a half years she finally agrees to start making the film. The Filming process is taking longer than Vanessa and her crew anticipated. The crew had a falling out while they were in Philadelphia on a business trip. That falling out resulted in Trace's Photo being on the front cover in the news paper. Tracy had to check them all and teach them a lesson about herself as a actress and author. This book is great for teenage girls and boys if they are thinking about becoming actresses or actors. This is a coming of age book. If you like to read about hard working women that will work hard to accomplish there goals then this is the book for you.

2010-03-02T12:33:00.000-06:00

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The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

2010-03-02T10:42:00.003-06:00

The Great Gatsby is considered F. Scott Fitzgerald's best novel and is a classic that any student should read. The story is about a young man named Nick who comes to New York City from the Midwest. He soon finds out that much of the big city is filled with people who have money. He becomes friends with his wealthy neighbor Gatsby, who gets him involved with his elaborate parties and fast paced lifestyle. The novel does a great job of showing how different social classes interact and makes you think if money is really everything. I would recommend anyone to read it.

Splinter Cell

2010-03-02T09:52:00.009-06:00

Tom Clancy has done it once more with this thrilling book about one man that works alone to save America's freedoms. He is Sam Fisher. He is a Splinter Cell. Splinter Cell is about Sam Fisher who works for the NSA. The NSA has created a sub-division called Third Echelon. This division is responsible of carrying out covert operations through out the world to protect America's freedoms.

This is an action pack book from start to finish. It gets your attention and keeps you guessing till the very end. Splinter Cell is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. It is a very good book for people who seek action and adventure. Sam Fisher is a funny guy, the way he puts things in the book is simple and some times down right hilarious. Splinter Cell is a top notch action thriller and is one of Tom Clancy's best books.

2010-03-01T09:20:00.005-06:00

Reading her three other books, Ellen Hopkins's ability rises above all by revealing and uncovering the damages life may put upon us. Once again she succeeds in the story-telling of Burned.
A young Mormon-born teenager growing up with six younger sisters, a lazy detached mother, and an abusive alcoholic father fights to reveal the hidden truth. While she continues living and observing her broken home, Pattyn detects major flaws in her family, school and religion. In her junior year of high school, she meets a boy, who is ran off by her father, while she is shipped off to her out-casted aunt, and finds true love along with the ugly truth. As summer ends, she is returned to her broken home. Pattyn returns to situations that shift from bad to worse, which only end in grief.

This soft yet powerful ride of love, religion and morals all link together to create this masterful novel. As the setting switches, Pattyn's beliefs follow along.

Maya Angelou

2009-12-01T07:43:00.003-06:00

Over the past few weeks I have recently had the fortune of reading some of the works and poems by Maya Angelou. After the first two poems I read by her I automatically knew that she was a very gifted artist. From her poems like "Phenomenal Woman" to "The Caged Bird" each poem told a new story from a different perspective. Maya Angelou was an activist during the Civil Rights movement as well as the Women's rights. In her biographical summary it talked about her having the pleasure of working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. It is evident that many of the topics she writes about reflect many of her own personal experiences. I found that many of her poems speak of love, Women's rights and the hardships people face every single day. Many of the poems I have read in the past are usually hidden by several metaphors and deeper meanings. I could never seem to grasp the concept of the poem without taking hours to analyze it. Sometimes it is good to see a poem every now and then that does not waste anytime and is to the point. Readers can look at her poems and within the first few stanzas the main idea of the poem can be recognized. Maya Angelou is an amazing writer, activist, poet and all around person. Looking through different works of Maya Angelou I have come to appreciate poetry more. I fell in love with Maya Angelou's poems and I hope others will too.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2009-11-30T08:47:00.007-06:00

Clary Fray grew up knowing a normal life, knowing nothing of her "dead" father and nothing of her mother's past. Clary's life changes one night at a club where she runs into three mysterious people, Jace, Isabelle and Alec, who slay someone right in front of her eyes. But why can no one else can see them, but her? Has she gone crazy? One of the people she met that night, the handsome character named Jace, finds her again and shows and tells her things she's never imagined. Things like demons, vampires, werewolves, fearies and more actually exist. She soon learns that she is a Shadowhunter just like Jace, Isabelle and Alec, who hold the duty of slaying demons to protect man kind. But demons aren't her only problem. Her best friend gets kidnapped by vampires, her mom is missing, her home has been invaded by unknown creatures, she has been attacked more than once, and it turns out that her father isn't dead after all. Is he the one behind it all? And why?

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read about anything mythical. Cassandra Clare keeps the reader on the edge and keeps them guessing. She does a great job in describing the make believe things she writes about. You will fall in love with her characters and this book entirely.

Monster, 1959

2009-11-17T12:59:00.003-06:00

This hilarious but serious book is a basic retelling of the King Kong story, but with a sympathetic, neanderthal-like character as the monster. Named K. this creature has, like King Kong, lived on a secluded island. In this version, however, K. get some sort of vague explanation as to how he came into being, since the neighboring islands had been testing sites for atomic bombs, therefore dousing K.'s island with radiation. As the story progresses, the simple minded K. is monsternapped, taken on a touring circus show around the late 50's world of the United States, and ultimately ends up perched on top of the Statue of Libery after a chase through the city. As in King Kong, K. becomes fascinated with a female character, Betty, although in his mind, it is a vague, primordial feeling of importance, and not actual beastly lust. The entire story is written in such a way that it paints the events of the 50's into an interesting, almost modern sense, and I sometimes found myself having to remind myself that these were past events, and not current events. All in all it's an interesting, well written, serious story with numerous funny parts that all come together to present a retelling of the calssic King Kong story.

The Kite Runner

2009-11-16T11:49:00.003-06:00

Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner is a story that contains Amir, the main character, who tells us that a kite running contest in the winter of 1975 changed his life forever. This contest still haunts him and that it involves something he did to Hassan, whom he calls "the harelipped kite runner." Amir takes us back to his childhood, in the final decades of the monarchy in Afghanistan. His father, Baba, was one of the wealthiest and most charitable Pashtun men in Kabul, where they lived in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood. His mother died in childbirth. Amir's closest friend, the harlipped Hassan, was also his servant and a Hazara. He was very close to his father, Ali, who was Baba's servant.

After Amir had cut the last opponent's kite, the kite fell far away. Amir then asked Hassan to go and get it. While Hassan was looking for the kite, Hassan ran into Assef, a big bully, and got raped by him. Amir was watching all of that, and he didn't do anything to stop it. This event led to develop guilt in Amir's heart. After a couple of months, Amir and his dad , Baba, moved to the U.S. because the Taliban took over Aghanistan. Hassan then gets married and has a child of his own, he nemed him Sohrab. the Taliban hated Hazaras, so they killed Hassan and hist wife, but Sohrab ended up in an orphanage. After a couple of years, Amir got married, and went back to visit Afghanistan. He found Sohrab, Hassan's son. Somehow he found out that Hassan was his half brother. Amir then decides to adapt Sohrab, since he doesn't have a child of his own, and make up for the horrible things he had don to his half brother, Hassan.

2009-10-14T09:42:00.003-06:00

This book is a really good book. It is a story about a young boy around 10 years old who gets abused by his mother. This book is very sad because of the large amount of detail that the author puts into it. There are times when the boy is telling his story that I could almost get sick because of how graphic it is. This book, however, really helps me see how much things I take for granted in my life. These things make me appreciate the simple things in life so much more. The little boy in the story is a very strong boy. He endures so much pain physically, mentally, and emotionally. When I read this story, it makes me realize that if a little fragile child can survive abuse, then I can get through any problem that I may come across.

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry

2009-04-30T07:41:00.010-06:00

Shadows of the Empire takes place in between Episodes five and six of the Star Wars Trilogy. After the events in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca are making efforts to track down Boba Fett and rescue Han. In their search for Boba Fett, they encounter Dash Rendar, a hotshot smuggler pilot. He aids them in their search, and gets caught up in events to come. Meanwhile Luke is honing his Jedi skills and constructing his lightsaber, working towards becoming a Jedi Knight.

There is a new foe standing before them now who also poses a threat to Darth Vader, the Falleen Prince Xizor. He is the head of the largest criminal organization in the galaxy, known as Black Sun. Xizor plans to kill Luke in order to decrease Vader’s position with the Emperor and take it for himself. He is a cunning antagonist, who even Vader is wary of.

Overall, this is a great book in my opinion. Almost anyone can pick it up and read it right away, even if you haven't seen any of the Star Wars movies. I would however suggest that someone wanting to read the book watch part of the Original trilogy so they may have a better understanding of it.

2009-04-29T12:12:00.003-06:00

“A Raisin in the Sun”

“A Raisin in the Sun” is a play written by Lorraine Hansbury explaining how difficult life once was for African Americans in the 1950s. The main characters are Walter, Ruthe, Travis, Beneatha, and Lena. All of the main characters live in a small and crowded apartment where they are forced to share a restroom with their neighbors. The following characters Ruth, Walter, and Lena are all employed but still barely have enough to survive. Walter and Ruthe are the parents of Travis and only want the best for him. Travis sleeps in the living room at night due to the lack of money that the family makes. Lena is the mother of Beneatha and Walter. Lena’s husband recently died leaving his insurance to his family. No sooner than the money arrived, Walter and Beneatha already made plans to spend it. Walter planned on spending the money on pursuing his dream, and opening a liquor store. Beneatha planned to pay for medical store. The only conflict with Walters dream is that no one believed that he should spend his father’s insurance money in such a way. This is an example of a dream deferred. When the family received the money, everyone expected their own share of it. Being the responsible one of the family, Lena took the money and bought a house. The only problem is that they weren’t wanted in this neighborhood. With all of the racial tension taking place at this time, this became a conflict for them. Although this was a conflict they still moved in to the house of theirs. As a responsible unselfish mother, Lena gave Walter his money for his liquor store and told him to store Beneathas share in the bank. Walter was stunned that she even trusted him with the money, but he still let her down. Walter gave all of the money to Willy Harris, thinking that he’ll make it all back plus more with his business going. It was just then that his dream was deferred. Willy Harris stole Bobo and his money. Although this happened the family did not let this stop them from moving in their house.

PEOPLE magazine review

2009-04-29T09:10:00.003-06:00

Okay..

We all have a favorite celeb, that we either idolize or favor, a band that we just can’t get enough of, and a favorite TV show that keeps us watching it 24/7. THE People magazine is something that defines that sort of interest. I can’t get enough of the fun articles and the updates on new bands or music artists. PEOPLE really does hit the spot with me. They may criticize on the wardrobe of some celebs but they still give all the back up and info you crave. If you have a favorite celeb look you want to mirror or achieve, PEOPLE will most likely have the solution, especially if you are dying to hear about an upcoming marriage from a celeb which you may admire. They have it all: Celeb marriages/breakups/affairs, celeb wardrobe looks and runway shots, immediate updates on new or current TV shows/movies/radio shows/ bands, articles on random famous celebs including private interviews with them, and even updates on current disasters in the world. You name it, it is a 99% chance PEOPLE will have it. Oh, they have horoscopes as well! very fun, maybe your favorite celeb or celeb crush might just be the same zodiac sign as you. You find out. So just read it!

The Giver, by Lois Lowry

2009-04-28T16:07:00.005-06:00

Anyone would want to live in a society where there was no violence, poverty, prejudice, or injustice; a perfect world where nothing bad happened and everyone got along. Or would they? Jonas is a 12 year old boy living in a peaceful, Utopian community where every family consists of a mother, father, daughter, and son. However, everyone is the same. They follow strict laws throughout their entire life, and are assigned their lifelong career at the age of just 12 years old. Each family unit is required to share their personal feelings and dinner, and they take pills to take away emotion. When it is time for Jonas to receive his career, his is not like any other. He has the “capacity to see beyond”, and he sees color, which no one else can. Because of this Jonas is assigned to be the “Receiver of Memory”, and The Giver telepathically gives him memories of things eliminated from his world. Jonas’s world quickly falls downhill. Why had emotion and meaning been eliminated from the lives of everyone? Jonas struggles with this and becomes determined to bring truth back into the world. Read The Giver, by Lois Lowery to find out what happens!

Garden of Rama

2009-04-28T07:21:00.004-06:00

In the year 2124 a alien ship comes within close orbit of earth. As it passes by it does not stop but rather keeps going. In 2146 it swings close again, but this time a ship is sent out to intercept it. But when the cosmonauts don't come back earth sends its most powerful weapon to destroy it, a nuclear phalanx. The people of earth think its destroyed. But when it comes back a third time the people of earth react more rationally. in a tale of intense action, family love, and earth shattering space travel three cosmonauts travel across the void of space to an unknown destination.

Tears of a Tiger

2009-04-28T06:38:00.005-06:00

Tears of a Tiger is a compelling story consisting of a phenomenal basketball team that endures in rigorous activities. One day after a basketball game Robert Washington, the star athlete and team captain, decides to go out after the game. He is with three of his closest friends, including his best friend Andy. They were supposed to go get something to eat after the game, and then go see their girlfriends who have patiently been waiting for them. But, they decide to buy some alcohol and drink before they pick up their girl friends. Robert is the driver and Andy is in the passenger seat. Robert becomes dizzy and looses consciousness and crashes into a side barrier on the highway. Robert dies. His friends and his basketball team are in horrific shock. The basketball team tries to help Andy morn the loss of his best friend, but the stress from Robert's death is too much to bear.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist By Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

2009-04-27T09:48:00.005-06:00

Nick O’Leary, a teenager from Hobroken, New Jersey, is heartbroken after his girlfriend, Tris breaks up with him. About two weeks later he is at a gig with his band and he spots her there with another guy. Nick tries to ignore her but just can't stand it. After he is done playing, he goes offstage and runs into a girl named Norah and asks, "I know it sounds weird but, Will you be my girlfriend for the next five minutes?" Norah is stunned. Since Norah has nothing to loose she kisses him to show she said yes. After that kiss, the two begin to have feelings for each other within the first minute. That is where their journey begins. But there is a secret that somebody isn't telling the other, will that disturb their relationship? This book is a very unique book. The vocabulary is retro and fun. All the idea's that are thought, all the words that are said between the characters are hilarious. I really enjoyed reading this book, and hope to read more from the same author. I would recommend it to anyone.

Native Son

2009-04-09T12:08:00.004-06:00

Anti-heros live all around us, but what about in the 1950's? Native Son is a great book, it is a depression set novel in Chicago. The main character Bigger Thomas goes through three dramatic chapters of devastation and tragedy, fear, flight, and fate. This novel draws you in from cover to end. Beginning from a simple job, working in the Dalton's home to a dramatic twist of murder. Bigger is not trying to be caught in the Mr. Dalton's daughter's room, Mary. So he decides to cover her mouth with a pillow, which leads to her murder. He goes further to enter Mary's body into the basement furnace. All seemed well until the inhalation of the smokes ashes from the furnace rises throughout the Dalton's home, when two FBI agents come to investigate the unanimous disappearance of Mary. The ashes and a ring given to Mary by her mother was discovered and sent to run for DNA matches.

Bigger knows he will get caught and hung if they find him so he decides to flee, which begins the chapter called "Flight". Bigger gets his girlfriend Bessie involved and they tell the Dalton family that Mary was kidnapped and ask for ransom money. The police are already on to Bigger at this time, because he also disappeared, due to his fear of being caught.

Bessie and Bigger are on the run to find shelter. When they finally find an abandoned apartment complex Bigger decides to kill Bessie with a brick and throw her out the window into the snow. Bigger does this because Bessie no longer wants to be apart of Bigger's problems. After a few days the police finally catch Bigger on a rooftop, where the fate of his future lies.

This book is a thrill quencher, as much as the suspense of the novel draws you in, you do not want Bigger to caught. Does he really get caught and or killed? That is a question for you to answer when you read this book

City of Ember

2009-03-09T10:50:00.017-06:00

The City of Ember is a book about a underground city that was built to shelter refugees in the event of a apocalyptic war. The people in the city were sent down there before the war even started and were given everything that they would need for hundreds of years. Over time the people forgot about the surface and came to believe that they were above ground but there was no natural light. two hundred years later they are running out of supplies and their generator is breaking down. the people of Ember have no knowledge of how to fix it and don't realize that they are underground. To find out more about this riveting tale visit your local library or bookstore today!

Seventeen Magazine review

2009-03-09T08:24:00.001-06:00

If you’re thirsty for details & tips on how to get the right look for prom or maybe even a dance at your local school, Seventeen Magazine is for you.
If you are craving tips on how to get great make up looks or perfect Hairdo, Seventeen Magazine is DEFINITELY for you. Seventeen is a wonderful magazine to read at just about any age, a consumer rating for that category suggested this magazine for ages “15 +”. The articles that this catalog provides are phenomenal, with great tips for both you’re life & past/present/future relationships. Horoscopes are a big hit in this magazine as well, they are completely fun and entertaining to read. I get a shipment of this magazine weekly, so i dig right into the horoscopes page, first thing! Seventeen was also a top hit seller for almost over 2 years! it also provides fashion tips, celebrity gossip/interviews, Health/sex/fitness guide, Hair/skin/makeup tips, Dating advice, College + Career help & tips, and lots of more fun and exciting stuff! This is one of the best teen magazines I've read yet. It gives you opportunities, give-away gifts, and prizes to everyone who subscribes to their magazine. I guarantee this magazine will become a 5 star rating from YOU! So if your interested in any of the fun qualities that this magazine obtains, go to your local quick shop, drug store, or even your favorite apparel department and 'Seventeen' is guaranteed to show up!

Click this link to explore the virtual world of Seventeen magazine!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2009-03-05T13:33:00.017-06:00

"The Kite Runner" is a fiction book that provides information about how the Taliban changed many lives in the country of Afghanistan. The author of this book is Khaled Hosseini. In Afghanistan there are two classes. There are the Pashtuns which are higher class citizens, and the Hazaras which are the lower class citizens. The Hazara citizens are usually mistreated on a daily bases because of their race. They are servants for the Pashtuns in this country. The main characters are Amir, Hissan, Baba, Ali, and Rahim Khan. Baba, the father of Amir, believed that every sin is a variation of theft. This statement made by Baba makes him seem very hypocritical because all of Amir's life Baba lied to him. He never told him that Hissan and Amir were brothers. This event alone causes everyone problems throughout the entire book. If Amir would've known that Hissan was his brother, he wouldn't have let Assef rape him. This story is unique because it shows how the protagonist and he antagonist can change or it can be one person. The Author of this book Khaled Hosseini provides his readers with much detail. For example during the event when Amir and Assef fought you can imagine how bad Amir looked afterwards.

Born Blue by Han Nolan

2009-03-05T11:15:00.008-06:00

Born Blue is about a girl named Janie being sold for drugs for her mom who is a heroin addict. When she was little her mother tried to drown her in the ocean. Later she gets put into a foster home and makes a best friend named Harmon. Harmon only has one thing his father left him which was a old shoe box with only a few old tapes which was what Janie called "the ladies" who she would listen to with Harmon and eventually sing to. She only truly loved two things; to sing along with "the ladies" and Harmon. One day Harmon gets adopted and leaves Janie all alone with one of her favorite tapes. After Harmon leaves, her mother kidnaps her and sells her to a different family for heroin. That day is when Janie's journey begins to find her Harmon and become a famous singer. I loved this book. It starts out a little bit slow but when it speeds up it is very interesting and keeps you reading nonstop. the plot of this story is fantastic and proves to me that anything can happen.

The Gospel According to Larry, by Janet Tashjian

2009-03-03T23:58:00.003-06:00

The Gospel According to Larry, by Janet Tashjian, is about a seventeen year old boy named Josh Swensen simply trying to find his place in the world. His life goal is to make a difference in the world, but does not want the fame that comes with it. He creates an alter ego, Larry, and makes a website named thegospelaccordingtolarry.com, where he “preaches” his strong beliefs in anti-consumerism and how to make the world a better place, despite the fact that his father has a career in advertising. He becomes very confident that no one will ever know his true identity, and even his best friend Beth who he has been secretly in love with for years does not know he is Larry. However, Josh’s life seems to come crashing down as his website gets attention from celebrities and someone under the cyber name “Betagold” threatens to find out who he really is. It seems like everyone but Josh wants Larry exposed, and he knows exposing him would destroy everything. After reading this book, I would have thought it was based off of a real person had it not been marked as fiction. It is written with the author actually meeting Josh in a parking lot and asking her to publish his story. This book really promotes Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy of simplicity, and referenced him throughout the book. Josh himself owns only seventy-five items, and gets rid of an item when he gets a new one. The message of anti-consumerism really got me thinking, and this story reveals the true selfishness of the human race. If you want to find out what happens to Josh/Larry, or get inspired to make a difference, I strongly encourage you to read this book. It has an action-packed ending with an ironic twist!

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2009-03-03T12:00:00.003-06:00

When I first read the back cover of the Kite Runner, all I saw were flattering reviews of a book claimed to be a good story of modern Afghanistan. Yet the story is far from a simple novel regarding the Middle East. Kite Runner covers the themes of betrayal, love, father and son, man's humanity to man and many others. The story revolves around the privileged life of Amir, the narrator, and his friend Hassan. The cast system between the two boys becomes more evident as the years pass, despite the fathers Baba and Ali (Amir and Hassan's respectively) being childhood friends for years. Amir is always jealous of Baba's love for Hassan, and at one point in the story, Hassan eventually turns out to be the sacrificial lamb. Without spoiling the story or plot characters, it would be safe to say that Kite Runner is everything good that the reviews mentioned. As an honest human being, I must say I was not intrigued at first, yet the book drew me in with considerable ease after the second page. This paltry review cannot do any justice to the great book Kite Runner is, as well as the emotions it will bring to rise. Your media-fed perception of Afghanistan and the Middle East will be shattered. Humanity, sorrow and memories persist from the land of birth, far to the reaches of America, as well as the orphaned seed of a murdered friend.

Homeland by R.A. Salvatore

2009-03-02T20:31:00.007-06:00

Homeland is about the beginnings of the drow Drizzt Do’Urden, as well as the prequel to the Icewind Dale Trilogy, and his life in the Underdark city of Menzoberranzan, the home of the evil drow (dark elves). Drizzt Do’Urden is the third son to Matron Malice of House Do'Urden. The Weapons Master of House Do'Urden Zaknafein, his father, gave him weapons training as well as reinforcing Drizzt’s morals with that of his own. His moral code does not allow him to act as other dark elves, in that they would selfishly turn on allies and enemies alike for their own desires, while he wouldn’t.
Over the rest of the story, he faces many challenges regarding his morals and his race. Drow society revolves around their deity, the evil spider queen Lolth, with females being dominant over males in their matriarchal structure. Males typically play the role of the soldier or mage, while females become priestesses to Lolth and/or in powerful positions in their society. They endlessly plot to murder their rivals and enemies to obtain whatever they desire, with the more powerful figures being more apt to be the targets. Overall, this is a great book for the beginning of one of the best series of books I've ever read.

Dragonbone Chair Series, by Tad Williams

2008-12-19T08:37:00.005-06:00

The Dragonbone Chair series first struck me as a classical fictional novel, filled with dragons, elven humanoids, humans, kings and of course, one powerful evil entity.
Yet surprisingly enough, I was draw into the thick volumes that my teacher had lent me. Despite the plot being cliche in my opinion (Due to seeing many others like it), I was pleasantly surprised at the comprehensive, and well-written story. The events that happen are far too rich and numerous to be contained in one book report, and still given the fairness that they deserve. The story consists of a trilogy known as "Memory, Thorn and Sorrow", and their significance is revealed throughout the story.

The adventure revolves around an ordinary kitchen boy named Simon, who had the (mis)fortune of being the apprentice of Doctor Morgenes in the castle he lived in. Let's just say, a story of treachery, a coup, and a crumbling kingdom follow. Heroes are hard to kill, and villains are even harder. In fact, the main villain of the book seems almost invincible towards the end, his death costs the lives of many other important plot characters in order to reach fulfillment. Rebellions are crushed, homes are lost, yet all is reborn in the end through the ashes. The turns the story takes are quite astounding, not recommended to people that get worked up over the deaths of favourite plot characters. Nevertheless, the story's ending is cliche as well, though by the time one is done reading the full adventure, any redundancy is dismissed by the epic adventure that unfolds.
Tad Williams has often been referred to as "America's Tolkien", which may be a fair statement despite my respect and admiration for J.R.R Tolkien as well.

Blood and Chocolate

2008-12-12T10:35:00.004-06:00

People have different opinions when it comes to books. I like romance and horror, and a few others to boot. But after reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, I found that I would like to look up some books about Werewolves. After looking, I found Blood and Chocolate. This book has romance and some action, the perfect book for me! Vivian, a sixteen year old loup-garou (Werewolf) and The Five who consist of Rafe, Finn, Willem, Ulf, and Gregory. They are the only pack members of Vivian's age and their group used to include another boy called Axel. Vivian starts high school in the new town, where she has no friends because of her reserved and secretive nature; when later meets a boy named Aiden who wrote a poem about werewolves that was surprisingly accurate with regard to their transformation. She soon figures out Aiden is fully human, but she is still attracted to him and pursues a relationship in spite of who she really is. I wish i could continue to tell you about this great book, but this is only a review to make you want to read it. I can tell you that there is a surprise ending! Go on and read it, you will be surprised.

-AmazinglySedated

Vampire Academy

2008-12-12T08:13:00.003-06:00

If you have a craving for an alternative to blood crazy vampires, this is for you. Vampire Academy is about two girls who attempted to escape from the school they attend. They are later caught by the schools guards and promptly returned. But everything they left is no longer the way it was. These two girls have to fight to for their reputation, while continuing the search for the answers to their problems. They become immersed in school history, vampire and demonic history, searching for the answers of what ails Lisa and why the word shadow kissed continues to pop up in reference to Rose's ability to see what is in Lisa's mind. Also, someone is following them. Can these two girls find out how to help Lisa? Can Rose find out where she gets her powers? Can they figure out who is after them? You'll have to read it to find out.

Wild At Heart

2008-12-12T07:21:00.004-06:00

John Eldredge in his book Wild at Heart, illustrates how the man's soul works from a man's perspective. One of the very first thing Eldredge says is that every man has three essential desires. Although they can be mistaken, misplaced, or forgotten, but a man's soul from birth desires these three things; A Battle to Fight, An Adventure to Live, and A Beauty to Rescue. In every desire, he tries to give examples of every age of a man's soul, from boyhood to grand fatherhood. One of the main points in these desires that he makes is that "A Beauty to Rescue" drives all of them, every man wants to be that night in shining armor. A Battle to Fight comes from this desire to impress or "rescue" the beauty, a man only has a desire to fight because he needs something to fight for. An Adventure to Live also ties into this because a Woman constantly has a desire for a man that will TAKE her on an adventure. Although men's ideas of adventure could be the wilderness and hiking, a woman's adventure could be a man's also. John Eldridge is this documentary of sorts is basically explaining how a mans inner soul works from a man's point of view. He tries to explain to the wives of the world why their husbands always want to watch football (a battle to fight), or why they have a midlife crisis and buy a 35 thousand dollar Harly-Davidson (an adventure to live) he even explains why their husbands were so nice and impressed them so much when they started dating but their love life has gone down hill (a beauty to rescue). In short, John Eldridge is a slightly less enthusiastic Dr. Phil, saving relationships, one book at a time.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

2008-12-10T13:47:00.005-06:00

Vanessa, Tony, and Conner have three totally different lives and take three different paths to the same place, Aspen Springs. Aspen Springs is a psychiatric hospital for people who have attempted suicide.Vanessa is a beautiful girl, smart and her life could be great, except for the fact that she gets the urge of cutting herself. Not just cutting her self, but deep enough to kill her. Tony is a boy who went through a tough childhood, and his father left him for years, and the only thing to comfort him is overdosing on pills, so much pills he is on the verge of killing himself, and in the hospital he saves up all the daily depression pills and overdoses on them. Conner has a great life wealthy and all, but nobody knows the inside of his skin, because if they did they would know that he is always in a fight with his abusive parents. Vanessa, Tony, and Conner all took it in until they popped. Vanessa grabbed the knife, Tony grabbed the pills, and Conner grabbed the gun, and tried to end it. Now they were all sent to Aspen Springs to get help, and another chance. And maybe together they will fight this depression.

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

2008-12-10T13:39:00.007-06:00

Crank is a book about a young girl who goes to stay with her dad for the summer. While she is there she meets a young boy who introduces her to drugs (crank). She becomes so involved with him and drugs that when she goes home to her mother and family she must have the drug to get through life with her Mother, her "annoying" friends, and school. She sneaks around, skipping school, sneaking out late at night, and going out with older guys. One night, one of those boys raped her and she became pregnant. After that day she decides to tell her mother everything that really has been going on in her life, and quit doing drugs for the baby's sake.

Deadline By Chris Crutcher.

2008-10-14T06:26:00.004-06:00

A lot of times I feel like Chris Crutcher lives my life in his books. Sorry, but not this one. I fortunately do have more than one year to live, I hope. Ben Wolf has a pretty good life, he is headed to state in Cross Country his senior year, and makes pretty good grades. For some reason he never sees himself living longer than High School. Ironically he gets the news from his doctor that he has been diagnosed with a semi-terminal disease, and his chances were about equivalent of a 250 pound lineman beating him in the 2 mile. When, "Little Wolf" as they call him, finds out that he only has 12 months to live he denies treatment and devotes his live to not wasting a single second of the rest of his short life. That is one thing he definitely does not do, Little Wolf ends up going out for the football team and becomes a STUD on special teams. He also meets the girl of his dreams, Dallas Suzuki, which I can totally relate to, except for the part where she asks him to homecoming, that hasn't happened yet for me. If you like this so far, I would definitely recommend that you read Deadline- By Chris Crutcher. ITS GOOD

Old Yeller By: Fred Gipson

2008-10-13T13:20:00.006-06:00

I think that this book was enjoyable for all. The dog helped out the kids, like to have a pal to play with. I think everyone should have a dog like Old Yeller. What would you do if you have a dog like Old Yeller.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

2008-10-10T07:48:00.003-06:00

Do you like vampires and werewolves? Do you like adventure and just a little romance? Well this book is for you. In the twilight series' fourth book Breaking Dawn you can find all of these things. Stephanie Meyer's new installment takes you on an awesome rind filled with vampires from all over the world, good and evil, and werewolves. In this book Bella must learn to adapt to a new lifestyle and learns about a vampire world bigger then she could ever have imagined, with the Cullen family by her side she races against time to find the answers she needs to keep the ancient vampires form attacking her and anyone who helps her. Can she do? You'll have to pick it up and find out. Happy Hunting!

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien

2008-10-09T10:24:00.006-06:00

The Lord of the Rings consists of three books. The Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers, and the Return of the King.

Going deep into the lore of the story would take a book of itself, but let it be suffice to say that it all began when the ancient evil's most powerful lieutenant in the physical universe, Sauron is defeated, his reign is thought to have perished.
Yet Sauron in his infinite ambition to preserve and expand his power, had crafted himself a ring that would maintain his essence, and make sure that he would not vanish from the world if he were defeated.
His plan succeeds ultimately. The last Alliance of Humans, Elves and Dwarves that was assembled to defeat him crumble over the centuries, and his vengeful spirit stirs within the ashlands of his former home, Mordor. Through a series of events, the ring that still contained his powerful essence was lost and reaches the hands of a hobbit, Frodo Baggins.

The first book begins with the forming of the Fellowship of the Ring. A band of nine adventurers. Frodo and his three hobbit friends, Sam, Pippin and Merry, along with the humans Boromir, Aragorn, Gimli the dwarf, Legolas the elf, and Gandalf the Wizard. Their mission is set to head to Mordor, and cast the ring intot he volcano known as Mount Doom, in order to utterly banish Sauron for eternity.

The second book, labeled the "Two Towers" follows the corruption of the White Hand, the circle of wizards that Gandalf was a part of. In the tower of Orthanc, the corrupted wizard, Saruman, forges an Alliance with Sauron, who's symbol of might is the tower of Barad-dur within Mordor. The unholy Alliance strengthens as they both build armies to lay siege to the various inhabitants of the vastness of Middle Earth. Many climactic battles occur such as Helm's Deep, the siege of Minas Tirith, and the grandest of them all, Pelennor Fields. All of them ended with the defeat of evil, though the cost was often quite heavy, with many razed villages, destroyed towns, and numerous castualties.

The "Return of the King" fulfills the prophecy of the returning Dunedain King. The Heir of Isildur, who was the man that was responsible for the first defeat of Sauron thousands of years ago. Aragorn, one of the members of the fellowship, reveals his identity. Despite his fears that he too would fall to the temption that his forefathers had fallen to due to the influence of the ring.
As battle rages on however, the fellowship breaks, save for Frodo and Sam who press on to Mordor. After the victory at Pelennor, the remaining armies of Middle Earth march to the Black Gate, hoping to win time and distract Sauron from finding the very ring under his nose as a battered Sam and Frodo finally reach the summit. Despite the struggles of the insane creature known as Gollum, the ring is destroyed. Peace descends upon middle earth as the raging blackness of Barad-dur crumbles before the sunlight.

Despite my poor attempts at summarizing a great book, I would recommend it with my eyes closed if you search for a fantasy setting. JRR Tolkien was not listed as the father of Fantasy fiction for nothing. Even the movies did injustice to the length of the story. The book will easily suck you in , despite some slow parts. I watched the movie before the book, and I still was anticipating many things, I was not disappointed.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2008-09-16T09:28:00.005-06:00

Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is an amazing, captivating novel. If you like suspense, and vampires then you will surely fall in love with this book. The characters are interesting and make you want to keep reading with just the simple words that they think and say.

To tell you the truth, I never really liked reading until my best friend recommended it to me. After that, I was instantly attached to this series and it took me a total of two weeks to read all four of these amazing books. I read all day almost non-stop because it keeps you literally wanting more. I was afraid to stop.

Finally when I was on the last book Breaking Dawn I thought that it was going to take awhile just because of all the pages, but when i got to the last chapter, I wanted to stop reading. I didn't want to finish it so soon, I didn't want it to end. I hope that Stephenie Meyer will never stop writing, she is an amazing writer. I wouldn't believe someone who wouldn't want to read this book if it is leaving me sad to see it end, that is how amazing this book is. This was my Ecstasy, the simple thing making me suddenly addicted to reading; a true miracle for me.

Red Glass by Laura Resau

2008-05-08T13:32:00.003-06:00

Sophie lives with her British mother, her Mexican step-father, and her, rather crazy, Bosnian refugee great-aunt in Arizona. Soon after the story begins, Sophie's family takes in an orphan, Pablo, whose parents died while trying to cross the desert from Mexico to the United States. After a year they find Pablo's family deep in Mexico, and decide to go there to see if Pablo wants to stay with them. With her parents unable to come, Sophie journies with Pablo, her aunt, her aunt's boyfriend, Lorenzo, and his son, Angel. It's the start of an adventure, filled with fear, wonder, and discovery.

This book is all about Sophie and the people around her, the world around her. At the beginning of the book, she's afraid of almost everything. . She's a hypocondriac and is scared to death at the thought of losing her parents. So she's invisible, staying out of everyone's way, and yet, even though she's afraid of what people think of her, she's even more afraid of being alone. This story is about Sophie finding herself and letting other people know her, too, maybe enough to fall in love.

Girlbomb

2008-05-06T12:38:00.007-06:00

Soon after Janice's thirteenth birthday she realizes how fed up she is with her mother and her boyfriend or actually her boyfriends. She walks out of her house and is left alone in the streets of Manhattan. Finding herself at a shelter for all girls, she is traumatized by how scary these girls are. But she promised herself she would make it on her own just to prove a point to her mother. After her mother accepts that she is no longer a part of her or her little brothers life, she sends money so that Janice is able to live in a real house with other kids and go to a real school. Along the way Janice deals with many things; friends, boyfriends, school and teen issues.

Read this book to find out what happens to Janice and if she makes it to her graduating day.

Blue Bloods By Mellisa De La Cruz

2008-05-06T09:57:00.000-06:00

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Posted by AMarie

Beloved by Toni Morrison

2008-05-02T12:03:00.003-06:00

This 1987 Pulitzer Prize winning novel is based on the true story of Margaret Garner, a runaway slave who attempted to kill her four children, succeeding in murdering one. In this book, the protagonist, Sethe, also kills one of her four children in order to save the baby from slavery. The baby comes back as a ghost to haunt the house that Sethe and her daughter, Denver, live in, and after a while they tolerate the damage the ghost does. When the ghost comes back reincarnated as a nineteen-year-old woman, she will do anything to get Sethe's love.
I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone. It has a lot of mature subjects, and also is a challenge to read. But if you're a good reader; don't mind a bunch of murder, sex and violence; and like Faulkner and the slave narrative tradition, this is the book for you! I particularly enjoyed how Morrison leaves gaps in the story for the reader to figure out. Sometimes you understand what you read 100 pages later, and sometimes you have to guess what she means.

Books by Michael Crichton

2008-04-28T08:35:00.003-06:00

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Posted by Jerry

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

2008-02-11T14:18:00.000-06:00

When I first read the description for this book, I didn't think I'd like it. But I loved Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin's first book, so I decided to check it out. I was in a Meg Cabot-like book mood at that time, so it sat on my floor for weeks until one night I was so bored I decided to read it. And, boy, was that a mistake, because I couldn't put it down. I should have known that the book would be that good. It wasn't even so much the plot that drew me in, it was the strength of Zevin's writing that made me relate to her characters, understand them, even though I was nothing like them. When I finished the book, I knew that I wasn't in love with the story, but that it was some of the best writing that I had ever read. This book is an amazing example of the Young Adult genre.>

Rebel Angels, Libba Bray

2008-02-11T10:28:00.000-06:00

Imagine a place where whatever you dream could be possible, but that place is also haunted by the evils only found in dreams. In this sequal to A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Gemma Doyle a young britishmans daughter embarks on an epic journey to recapture the magic she unknowingly released into the Realms. Gemma is torn bettween Love, Loyalty, and, Friendship. She must reenter the Realms and recapture the magic before someone else does. She must dig up old members of the magical Order, make sense of her terrible visions of the evil tyrant Circe and the mysterious deaths of some students in the care of one Miss. McCleethy. Can she tear herself away from the Realm's powers and destroy Circe, where she can't trust anyone, not even a dear friend? Can she recapture the magic? Can she decipher the cryptic warnings of Nell Hawkings, a girl with a disturbed mind affected by the magic? Its up to you to find out.

Shades Children

2008-02-11T09:14:00.000-06:00

Garth Nix's Shades Children is an excellent book in wich the world has been taken over by 7 creatures called overlords. in the world children are harvested for parts to make their battle creatures to wage war against each other for their own amusement. But there is a group of children that resist them with everything they can in a hope yo restore the world. Their leader is a mysterios adult who has a dark secret. Will they suceed? Or will they fail? Find out in Shades Children!~Jerry

The Client by John Grisham

2008-02-07T10:13:00.000-06:00

Mark Sway, the main character, is an eleven-year old boy who smokes and regularly gets into trouble. One day as he is in the woods behind his house, Mark is teaching his younger brother how to smoke. Little did they know that they would soon be trying to prevent a stranger from commiting suicide. Mark gets tangled up in the troubles of this man's business and soon police start asking him questions about what happened. With little money, he is forced to hire a lawyer who luckily takes an interest in him. Find out what happens to Mark and how witnessing one little scene can change your life!

Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart

2008-02-05T13:26:00.000-06:00

There are few expectations at the Manhattan High School for the Arts and that is to be different, unordinary and to stand out. But sixteen year old Gretchen Yee feels anything but that, she feels ordinary in such a school. After she longs to be different and wants desperately to know what her other classmates think of her. She gets turned into a fly and spends a week buzzing around the boy’s locker room while she discovers mysteries of the male anatomy along with her classmates own personal life. While watching the character emerge you will also learn that she gains her own self confidence and that ultimately helps her become a better person.

Pirates by Celia Rees

2008-02-05T12:19:00.000-06:00

Loosely based on the lives of female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, Pirates! takes place in the 1720s at the end of the height of piracy. Nancy Kington, having just inherited her father's sugar plantation in Jamaica, escapes an arranged marriage to Barthalome the Brazilian on the pirate ship Deliverance. Along with Nancy comes Minerva Sharpe, escaping slavery and the plantation's cruel overseer. The companions go on the account alongside the rest of the crew, dressing as men. Nancy cannot escape the man she was promised to marry, however, and he appears in her dreams. Will the Brazilian find Nancy? Or will her childhood sweatheart, William? Can Nancy and Minerva live for long as pirates?

I would recommend any of Celia Rees' books. Pirates!, Witch Child and Sorceress were all exciting, fun and easy to read. This one was definately my favorite, however. Pirates! is a real page-turner, full of action, suspence and romance.

Rowing to Latitude by Jill Fredston

2007-12-07T11:51:00.000-06:00

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City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

2007-12-04T08:45:00.000-06:00

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Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

2007-11-30T08:20:00.000-06:00

Aislinn, or Ash, has the Sight. She can see faeries, something that no one, including the faeries, can know about. And these aren't the nice fairies your told bedtime stories about. These are fey, faeries straight from Grimm. They aren't tiny little things, they're human sized, though of course humans never see them, and the ones Ash knows are always doing something mean-spirited or evil. If the fey knew she had the Sight, Ash would be in danger. She's an orphan who lives with her overprotective grandmother, and wants something more with her best friend, Seth. But two faeries are stalking Ash, and one is the Summer King, who is determined to win her over by pretending to be human. Who will Ash fall in love with, and why does the Summer King think that she's his queen?

I loved this book, and found some similarities to Tithe when it came to the fey courts, though both are borrowed from old myths and faery tales. If you like books where the mythical world is ignored or unknown to this world by all but a precious few, with romance and intrigue added to the plot, your sure to like this fantasy novel.

Kaylen

Wolves of the Calla

2007-11-28T11:39:00.000-06:00

In Wolves of the Calla the world is filled with unspeakable evil and dying machines. the world has moved on from nuclear wars to super computers back to cowboys and Indians. But the thing is, that some things changed when this happened, something terribly evil. Read Stephen Kings Wolves of the Calla today!

The Stand

2007-11-19T10:24:00.000-06:00

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The Stand is set in a post apocalyptic world where a super flu virus has escaped and kills 98% of the worlds population and the animals that man depends upon. Also there is a power struggle between the people of Las Vegas, Nevada and Boulder, Colorado. If the winner of the war is Las Vegas, then mankind is doomed.

Read Translation Poster

2007-11-14T08:06:00.000-06:00

Permission to post the Read Translation Poster was given by the Tulsa City-County Public Library.

Avalon High

2007-09-21T11:26:00.000-06:00

This book combines the traditional Chick Lit. books written by Cabot with the genre of Fantasy. The main character Ellie Harrison, named after Elaine of Aslot, moves to Avalon High when her parents go on sabbatical. Her father is studying an ancient sword and her mother is writing a book on Elaine of Aslot. In Ellie's mind her parents are just medieval freaks who are obsessed with the story of king Arthur. At her new school Ellie meets a cute boy, A. William Wagner, who she feels like she's met before. Soon she is falling in love with him and he seems to feel the same way. Unfortunately like the typical star quarterback he is dating the schools prettyest cheerleader Jennifer. Unbeknownst to Will though there is a very Arthurian affair going on between his seemingly perfect girlfriend Jennifer and his best friend Lance. As the story of King Arthur begins to unfold itself in this very modern setting, tension spikes with the emergence of the modern Mordred, the half brother responsible for killing Arthur. Ellie is faced with the difficult task of finding a way to protect Will from the rising threat to his life, while attempting to come to grips with the fact that they all may very well be the reincarnation's of history's most well known and complex characters. This story is great because it has all the funny and romance qualities of traditional Chick Lit. but it also has the action and suspense of a first rate action story. Mix that with a bit of Arthurian trivia and you have this great read. - Carmen

The Princess and the Hound

2007-09-19T09:53:00.000-06:00

In the kingdom of Kendal, people with animal magic are hunted down and burned alive. Prince George has animal magic, a gift his mother also had, and has always had to hide it from his kingdom. He does everything for the kingdom, thinking that will make him a good king, even his bethrothal to Princess Beatrice. Princess Beatrice is from Sarrey, a former enemy of Kendal, and has a very mysterious bond with her hound, Marit.

This book reminded me of The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, but it isn't written in the same style. The story is told in George's point of view, and is more of a fantasy/adventure story than a romance because of this. I loved this book, it was in a faerie tale style, but it isn't a retold faerie tale. At the end of the book I felt like I knew George. This is a book that all book lovers will enjoy.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

2007-05-14T12:54:00.000-06:00

It all starts when Robert Langdon received an urgent late night phone call.the elderly curator of the Louvre has been mudered inside the museum, a baffling cipher found near the body. As Langdon and a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu , sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci.

2007-04-29T07:54:00.000-06:00

Gravitation is a graphic novel about Shuichi Shindo trying to break into the music business with his band , "Bad Luck". Shuichi loses the lyrics to his song and, bumps into Eiri Yuki, a romance novelist. Eiri tells him that he didn't like his song and Shuichi becomes upset and tries to prove his talent to Eiri and there destinies become entwine.~Kale

Dracula by Bram Stoker

2007-04-19T10:48:00.000-06:00

Dracula is about the interactions with, and the hunt for, Count Dracula. The writing style is vary distinct. It is mostly letters and journal entries of different people in the story.~Kale

Before We Were Free by Julia Alverez

2007-04-17T06:43:00.000-06:00

This is a great story to read. Anita de la Torre who lived in the Dominican Republic began to question her freedom. At first, Tio Toni had disappeared and the SIM began to terrorize them asking where he may be. Their dictator was in desperate need of finding him. Anita had to crack codes that her family was keeping and soon found out what she knew wasn't something she should have known. As the months go by, her family members go one by one to the United States. Majority of her family are living in New York waiting for the rest of Anita's family to come.
During the story Anita becomes a young lady. She struggles through many things and uses her family's courage and the strength to make it through tough times in the Dominican Republic.

The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman

2007-04-17T06:26:00.000-06:00

A mysterious/investigative story that will make your mind think. Jim Chee is a Navajo Policemen who is investigating a mysterious accident...or murder; the fallen man was on top of Ship Rock mountain and somehow his body is at the bottom. Its very curious on how the man got up on top alone, he had to have had some help, leading Chee to investigate if it actually was an accident or not.
I personally like to read a mystery or investigative story, I'd recommend to those who love to has imagination, patience and someone who likes to solve a mystery.

A Walk to Remember

2007-04-06T13:13:00.000-06:00

A sweet story of true love and having faith in other people. A Walk to Remember is the story of a boy named Landon and the unexpecting love that he finds in a small town, where everybody knows everybody. Landon is a rebel and is class president of his high school. He usually hangs out with the popular crowd, but when choosing between a cooking class and drama he decides to take drama. If you take this class then it means that you have to participate in the annual christmas play, which according to him is completely lame. What he doesn't know is that the play that he doesn't even want to do, is the same play that will make him fall in love with the pastor's daughter, an unpopular, shy girl. Nicholas Sparks takes you in many turns as you read about the growing love of two unexpecting people. I really liked this book, because it was romantic and it teaches the reader about how life needs to be lived to the fullest.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

2007-04-06T09:55:00.000-06:00

Edest is the second book to Eragon.
In this book our hero finds himself incapacitated by a wound that the Shade Durza inflicted. Although Eragon killed Durza his left with a reminder that his encounter with Durza shall never be forgotten . Now with his back crippled Eragon flies to Ellesmera the Elven city in the forest Du Weldenvarden Eragon goes forth to finish his training. But alas, his back pains him so much that he is rendered incapable of many strenuous activities that his training requires to complete.

While Eragon is in Ellesmera Galbatorix gaters his forces for a great war against the Varden and Surda.

Will Eragon beat Galbatorix?

Find out in the exciting book Eldest!

Check L.H.S. library for details.~Jerry

Eragon by Cristopher Paolini

2007-04-06T09:26:00.000-06:00

Eragon is about a boy who finds a mysterious stone in the middle of mountain range called the spine. when Eragon finds out it is not a stone but a dragon egg his whole life starts to fall apart.

Now Alagaisea's most feared person, King Galbatorix, is after young Eragon to either recruit him or kill him. But Brom the old storyteller in Carvahall (Eragons home village) helps Eragon escape from the clutches of the most vile assassins the Ra'zac. Now that Eragons home has been destroyed and his uncle killed, he believes he has nothing to lose so he goes forth to seek out and destroy the Ra'zac with the aid of Brom the storyteller.

Will Eragon succeed or will his story end in tragedy?

Find out in Eragon!

Check L.H.S Library for details.

The Famished Road by Ben Okri

2007-04-05T11:07:00.000-06:00

The Famished Road is the amazing story of the journey of a spirit child through the poverty and suffering of modern day Africa. In the pseudo-reality where the book is set, there is a spirit, as well as a physical world. A spirit child is one who only wants to be in the spirit world, so they kill themselves whenever they reincarnate in the physical world. The writing in this book is, in my opinion, some of the best. Throughout the book, the child has brushes with the spirit world. These passages where he sees "the other side of things" have some of the most descriptive, imaginative and crazy writing I have ever read. The Famished Road also addresses the many concerns of modern day Africa. In the book, violence and other terrible things flow through the village where the spirit child lives like waves in the ocean. In my opinion, The Famished Road is one of the best books ever written. I recommend this to anyone who wants something different. I, also recommend this to anyone who can read. It's that good.~Daniel

Red Azalea by Anchee Min

2007-04-04T20:46:00.000-06:00

This book is about the struggles of Anchee Min in Communist China during the dreaded "Cultural Revolution." In the book, Min goes from slum dweller, to peasent, to actor, to janitor, to movie star, to politial refugee all in the space of a few years! I don't want to give too much away, but much of the book focuses on Min's slow realization of the falseness of the propaganda drilled into her head since she was a child. She realizes in the end, what kind of a situation China is really in, and how the many can be brainwashed into anything. Ultimately, the Red Azalea is a tale of the ability of the human spirit to burst out in defience against the weight of an entire country. Book-wise, the novel is a relatively short being 336 pages, but in a somewhat large font. It is written in a very deceptively simple manner, even though it provides a large emotional punch. Think of it as a beautiful haiku. Even though these short poems are simple, they can be better than some poems many pages long. All in all, the Red Azalea is wonderfully simple and amazing book that anyone who believes in the spirit can enjoy. ~Daniel
4/4/07

When the Wind Blows by: James Patterson

2007-04-04T07:31:00.000-06:00

When the Wind Blows is about a girl named Max who has been geneticly enhanced and given wings. Frannie, a small Colorado town vet, is tangled up in plots that she herself doesn't even understand. She meets an FBI agent of the name Kit and together they seek out Max hoping to unlock the mystery behind the recent murders/deaths of important key doctors of genetics.~Patrick

Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn

2007-03-30T13:41:00.000-06:00

The Doll in the Garden is a really good book. It is about a girl who moves in with her mother and a cat, ocar. They move into a house that a girl had died in and the little girl starts getting hints from the little girl that died there . In the story, they start hanging out and the ghost girl shows the other girl a garden. They find a doll, and that's all that I'm going to say about this book because I don't want to give it away because its that good!

Maximum Ride Schools out~James Patterson

2007-02-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

The second installment finds our flock of winged teens in quite the predicament. They have to go to the hospital, but being genetically engineered can be kinda obvious. Everything is kept low profile and a lady shows up that the flock starts to get attached too. Putting un-normal kids in a normal school problems are bound to arise after all now they are on the grid they have to obey the laws. Having wings means it is easier to run away and when the erasers start coming for them the flock decides to leave and do what they are best at, running.

Angels and Demons-Dan Brown

2007-02-21T13:36:00.001-06:00

Angels and Demons brings an ancient secret organaization, the Illuminati, and the Vatican in a present day battle for control. Havard symbologist Robert Langdon must get together with scientist Vittoria Vetra in a frantic race to save the Vatican from a powerful bomb which threatens to destroy it. During the adventure they travel across Rome and into cathedrals, secret archives, and Illuminati lair. On their way, they uncover many secrets and who is responsible for the threat on the Vatican.~ Anthony

Buried Onions by Gary Soto

2007-02-20T14:10:00.000-06:00

THIS BOOK IS GREAT!!! I GIVE IT FIVE STARS, FOR REAL. THIS BOOK IS BASICALLY ABOUT A BOY WHO IS OR WAS A TROUBLE MAKER AND IS NOW TRYING TO DO RIGHT AND IS ALSO TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO KILLED HIS COUSIN. HE BASICALLY TALKS ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND A JOB. AND HOW POOR HE IS. WELL CANT TELL YOU ANYMORE I GUESS YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND OUT THE REST IF YOU WANT TO KNOW.

Go Ask Alice

2007-02-05T10:49:00.000-06:00

Go Ask Alice is a good book. It is based on a teenager that is on drugs. The book is like a diary based on her life as a teenager, and tells everything she went through. A great read!~Kayla

Vitale: Living the Dream by Dick Vitale

2007-02-05T10:41:00.000-06:00

"It's awesome, baby!" Many basketball fans would recognize that quote, no matter who is trying to perform the horrible impression of the the basketball guru, Dick Vitale. Dickie V as he is sometimes referred to as, is known for his outlandish humor when he commentates a college basketball games for ESPN. But yelling for a camera is not what he is known for. He use to yell at players, because he was a coach for the University of Detroit in the 70's. And later became the head coach of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. He explains his childhood and how he admired his parents for their hard work and good advice they always were willing to lend. Dick Vitale played basketball in high school, and even though he loved playing the game, his real passion was leading a team, so the interest of coaching kept growing. He eventually became an assistant coach at the local high school and he worked really hard until he was making big money in the NBA. His coaching journey gets into intense detail and even mentions a few scuffles he had with former players. This book is a great source for information on a basketball icon and legend, and even though it has a couple of slow moments, the story remains humorous throughout and has the capability of keeping any basketball fanactic glued. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to have a good time. This book is "awesome baby!" ~ Steven

Riding with the Blue Moth

2007-02-05T10:30:00.000-06:00

Bill Hancock is the director of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. When his son, Will, was killed in an airplane crash that took the lives of members of the Oklahoma State Basketball team, he could not handle his grief. He decided to ride his bicycle across the United States. This is a journal of his encounters with heat, dogs, motorists and a pesky blue moth.~Martha