Fever 1793
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Matilda is an adventuresome young girl. Her mom owns a busy coffee shop in Philadelphia in the 1790's. Philadelphia is suddenly hit with a plague of illness. What's even worse, Matilda's mom catches it. The she send Matilda and her grandfather to a farm, but her grandfather gets a summer sickness on the way. They are forced to stop till his illness blows over. Matilda catches the fever while looking for food away from her grandfather. Does he find her in time to get help? This is a thrilling story and it even has a little romance in it!
-L. Hall
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
by Nancy Farmer
It is the year 2196. The technology of Zimbabwe has become very advanced: hover cars are the main for of transportation, and creatures like speaking monkeys run wild in the streets. This novel focuses on the three kidnapped children of a major military officer and their adventures, dangerous encounters, and near escapes.
The detectives who have been hired to bring the children home are the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm. Each of these men have been genetically mutated and posses superhuman traits: the Ear has amazing hearing, the Eye can see at far distances, and the Arm can feel the emotions of the people around him as if they are his own.
The three detectives make an almost unstoppable team, and you will stay on the edge of your seat waiting for the children to be rescued. This book focuses on adventure and mystery, with just a touch of science fiction elements.
-Ms. McConnel
by Nancy Farmer
It is the year 2196. The technology of Zimbabwe has become very advanced: hover cars are the main for of transportation, and creatures like speaking monkeys run wild in the streets. This novel focuses on the three kidnapped children of a major military officer and their adventures, dangerous encounters, and near escapes.
The detectives who have been hired to bring the children home are the Ear, the Eye, and the Arm. Each of these men have been genetically mutated and posses superhuman traits: the Ear has amazing hearing, the Eye can see at far distances, and the Arm can feel the emotions of the people around him as if they are his own.
The three detectives make an almost unstoppable team, and you will stay on the edge of your seat waiting for the children to be rescued. This book focuses on adventure and mystery, with just a touch of science fiction elements.
-Ms. McConnel
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Year Down Yonder
A Year Down Yonder
by Richard Peck
In the aftermath of the Great Depression, Mary Alice is sent to live in the country with her eccentric grandmother while her parents get back on their feet. Grandma is a woman to be feared, totally unpredictable and unconcerned with the impression she leaves on other people. At first, Mary Alice can't bear to be away from her life in Chicago, but living with Grandma in the middle of nowhere has certain advantages, like watching Grandma pull out her shot gun whenever things don't go her way.
This is a delightful book with a realistic narrator and the feeling of a classic tall tale.
-Ms. McConnel
by Richard Peck
In the aftermath of the Great Depression, Mary Alice is sent to live in the country with her eccentric grandmother while her parents get back on their feet. Grandma is a woman to be feared, totally unpredictable and unconcerned with the impression she leaves on other people. At first, Mary Alice can't bear to be away from her life in Chicago, but living with Grandma in the middle of nowhere has certain advantages, like watching Grandma pull out her shot gun whenever things don't go her way.
This is a delightful book with a realistic narrator and the feeling of a classic tall tale.
-Ms. McConnel
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Maniac Magee
Maniac Magee
by Jerry Spinelli
Maniac Magee wasn't always called Maniac. His parents named him Jeffrey, but his parents died in a tragic accident when Jeffrey was only three years old. Jeffrey became known as Maniac because of his bravery and how fast he could run. All the kids wanted to be like Maniac, but no one knew the real truth: he was lonely, frightened, and living out on the streets.
This is a fast read about a character who uses his negative circumstances to transform the lives around him for the better. Maniac crosses boundaries of class, race, and location to prove that people are people and home is a precious thing.
-Ms. McConnel
by Jerry Spinelli
Maniac Magee wasn't always called Maniac. His parents named him Jeffrey, but his parents died in a tragic accident when Jeffrey was only three years old. Jeffrey became known as Maniac because of his bravery and how fast he could run. All the kids wanted to be like Maniac, but no one knew the real truth: he was lonely, frightened, and living out on the streets.
This is a fast read about a character who uses his negative circumstances to transform the lives around him for the better. Maniac crosses boundaries of class, race, and location to prove that people are people and home is a precious thing.
-Ms. McConnel
Friday, February 13, 2009
Jazmin's Notebook
Jazmin's Notebook
by Nikki Grimes
Jazmin's daddy loved jazz music, which is how she got her name. Jazmin loves music, but more than that, she loves writing: poetry, stories, journals, she simply can't get enough! Even though she has been in a series of foster homes and is now living with her older sister, Jazmin has a bright outlook on life and a strong desire to get out of the projects and really make something of herself one day.
This is a wonderful, quick read about a character with a lot of spunk in some pretty awful situations. Jazmin is realistic, the kind of character you may wish you knew in real life. A powerful story.
-Ms. McConnel
by Nikki Grimes
Jazmin's daddy loved jazz music, which is how she got her name. Jazmin loves music, but more than that, she loves writing: poetry, stories, journals, she simply can't get enough! Even though she has been in a series of foster homes and is now living with her older sister, Jazmin has a bright outlook on life and a strong desire to get out of the projects and really make something of herself one day.
This is a wonderful, quick read about a character with a lot of spunk in some pretty awful situations. Jazmin is realistic, the kind of character you may wish you knew in real life. A powerful story.
-Ms. McConnel
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tamar
Tamar
by Mal Peet
Tamar is the spy name of a man who parachuted into occupied Holland during World War II with another man code-named Dart to help the Dutch resistance against the Nazis. There is also a third person in the story, Marijke, who is loved by both men. Years later one of the two, asks his son to name his daughter Tamar, but doesn't tell him why. Tamar, when she is fifteen finds a box full of information and clues left behind by her grandfather before he died. As she pieces together his mysterious past, she is schocked to find out the truth about his actions during the war.
The story goes back and forth between time periods from the action in Holland to Tamar's search for the truth in the present day.
This book won the Carnegie Medal for best book last year in England. Not sure why. While it is an interesting read I found many of the characters unsympathetic. If you like to read stories about love, jealousy, and tragedy then this is one title you might like to try.
-Mr. Dale
by Mal Peet
Tamar is the spy name of a man who parachuted into occupied Holland during World War II with another man code-named Dart to help the Dutch resistance against the Nazis. There is also a third person in the story, Marijke, who is loved by both men. Years later one of the two, asks his son to name his daughter Tamar, but doesn't tell him why. Tamar, when she is fifteen finds a box full of information and clues left behind by her grandfather before he died. As she pieces together his mysterious past, she is schocked to find out the truth about his actions during the war.
The story goes back and forth between time periods from the action in Holland to Tamar's search for the truth in the present day.
This book won the Carnegie Medal for best book last year in England. Not sure why. While it is an interesting read I found many of the characters unsympathetic. If you like to read stories about love, jealousy, and tragedy then this is one title you might like to try.
-Mr. Dale
Standard Hero Behavior
Standard Hero Behavior
by John David Anderson
The town of Highsmith was once filled with heroes competing to wipe out the local goblin population, seek treasure, and go off on adventures. But now, the town has only one hero - Duke Darlinger, who has named the town "Darlington" after himself. Mason, a poor freelance bard-poet finds out a dreadful secret when he applies for work at Duke Darlinger's house. The town is in GRAVE DANGER. Armed with a borrowed sword, his best friend, Cowel, and a copy of Quayle's Guide to Adventure for the Unadventurous, the pair sets off on a desperate quest to find heroes to save their town.
A book which, as you read, encourages smiles and sometimes outright laughter.
-Mr. Dale
by John David Anderson
The town of Highsmith was once filled with heroes competing to wipe out the local goblin population, seek treasure, and go off on adventures. But now, the town has only one hero - Duke Darlinger, who has named the town "Darlington" after himself. Mason, a poor freelance bard-poet finds out a dreadful secret when he applies for work at Duke Darlinger's house. The town is in GRAVE DANGER. Armed with a borrowed sword, his best friend, Cowel, and a copy of Quayle's Guide to Adventure for the Unadventurous, the pair sets off on a desperate quest to find heroes to save their town.
A book which, as you read, encourages smiles and sometimes outright laughter.
-Mr. Dale
Climbing the Stairs
Climbing the Stairs
by Padma Venkatraman
In British-occupied India in 1941, girls don't have many options. Fifteen year old Vidya is an exception. Her father supports her dream of going to college. When tragedy strikes her family, Vidya and her family move into the home of relatives who are members of the strict Brahman class. In this family women live on the first floor and men on the second only mixing at meals when the women serve the men their food. Vidya's only escape from this world is up the stairs to her Grandfather's forbidden library.
Climbing the Stairs, is a historical novel about finding oneself in time of political and social turmoil. It is an interesting look at a culture far different from out own.
-Mr. Dale
by Padma Venkatraman
In British-occupied India in 1941, girls don't have many options. Fifteen year old Vidya is an exception. Her father supports her dream of going to college. When tragedy strikes her family, Vidya and her family move into the home of relatives who are members of the strict Brahman class. In this family women live on the first floor and men on the second only mixing at meals when the women serve the men their food. Vidya's only escape from this world is up the stairs to her Grandfather's forbidden library.
Climbing the Stairs, is a historical novel about finding oneself in time of political and social turmoil. It is an interesting look at a culture far different from out own.
-Mr. Dale
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Goodness Gene
The Goodness Gene
by Soma Levitin
It is the year 2305. The eastern continents (now called Dominions) are going through war and turmoil. The American Dominion is in much better shape. Synthetic food, dance domes, and other places flourish. Will is the son of the Compassionate Director. He lives in a world where childbirth happens in a lab and you don't know who your parents are.
After an incident involving a mysterious girl named Leora, he realizes who he is and what he was made to do. All he hopes now is that he can stop himself from doing it. His actions will change his view of the world forever.
-A. Ellis
by Soma Levitin
It is the year 2305. The eastern continents (now called Dominions) are going through war and turmoil. The American Dominion is in much better shape. Synthetic food, dance domes, and other places flourish. Will is the son of the Compassionate Director. He lives in a world where childbirth happens in a lab and you don't know who your parents are.
After an incident involving a mysterious girl named Leora, he realizes who he is and what he was made to do. All he hopes now is that he can stop himself from doing it. His actions will change his view of the world forever.
-A. Ellis
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tiger
Tiger
by Jeff Stone
Tiger is the first in the series. It introduces you into the world of KungFu, companionship, and secrets to be discovered. Fu, the tiger KungFu master, wakes up in the middle of the night to find that his grand master is dead and that his brother Ying wants the scrolls that can unlock secret training techniques. Ying killed the grand master to get the scrolls. Fu steals the scrolls and runs into the froest. Ying is after him! Read more to find out what happens!
-A. Ellis
Fu is a master of the tiger arts of Kung Fu. "Fu" means tiger in Cantonese. He and his four other brothers life at the Cangzhen Temple. The four are not really his brothers, but that is what they are called at the temple. The temple is under attack by their former brother Ying, which means "eagle" in Cantonese. The grand master tells them to spread, just as Ying kills him. All Ying wants are the Dragon Scrolls. Fu does not listen and goes back to get the scrolls. He fights a guy named Tonglong, which means "mantis" in Cantonese. Fu is able to knock him out and take the scrolls. Fu gets locked up after he hurts the son of the Major of a village. The Major calls Ying and takes the scrolls from Fu. A bunch of soldiers come and are taking Fu back to Ying when one of Fu's brothers, Malao ("Monkey") comes out. He has a bunch of monkeys with him to help get Fu out of the cage. They do. Read the book to find out more!
This is a great book for kids who like series books. It has action and mystery, so read it and enjoy!
-D. Smith
by Jeff Stone
Tiger is the first in the series. It introduces you into the world of KungFu, companionship, and secrets to be discovered. Fu, the tiger KungFu master, wakes up in the middle of the night to find that his grand master is dead and that his brother Ying wants the scrolls that can unlock secret training techniques. Ying killed the grand master to get the scrolls. Fu steals the scrolls and runs into the froest. Ying is after him! Read more to find out what happens!
-A. Ellis
Fu is a master of the tiger arts of Kung Fu. "Fu" means tiger in Cantonese. He and his four other brothers life at the Cangzhen Temple. The four are not really his brothers, but that is what they are called at the temple. The temple is under attack by their former brother Ying, which means "eagle" in Cantonese. The grand master tells them to spread, just as Ying kills him. All Ying wants are the Dragon Scrolls. Fu does not listen and goes back to get the scrolls. He fights a guy named Tonglong, which means "mantis" in Cantonese. Fu is able to knock him out and take the scrolls. Fu gets locked up after he hurts the son of the Major of a village. The Major calls Ying and takes the scrolls from Fu. A bunch of soldiers come and are taking Fu back to Ying when one of Fu's brothers, Malao ("Monkey") comes out. He has a bunch of monkeys with him to help get Fu out of the cage. They do. Read the book to find out more!
This is a great book for kids who like series books. It has action and mystery, so read it and enjoy!
-D. Smith
Monday, February 2, 2009
H.I.V.E.
H.I.V.E
by Mark Walden
Before I start with this review, I would like to explain something. I will rate book on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 is the lowest and 10 being that highest. So at the ends of my reviews I will give a number. Now on to my review.....
H.I.V.E. is about Otto Malpenze. A student who has an enormous gift for intelligence. But when he is kidnapped to H.I.V.E (or as it stands for) The Higher Institute for Villainous Education. Once at H.I.V.E. Otto sees some of its features. But when he learns that the has to stay here for 6 years, Otto refuses. But there is nothing he can do about it.....or is there? Join Otto with his Friends Wing and his other companions, as they attempt to be the FIRST STUDENTS EVER to escape form H.I.V.E. Will Otto make it out alive. Or will his brain fail him for the first time ever. Find out in H.I.V.E.
Review number: 8
-S. Rauf
Otto Malpenze was brought to the Higher Institute of Villainous Education against his will. Wing Fanchu is also kidnapped. Once they arrive Otto and Wing quickly become friends. Along with Shelby Trinity (world class thief) and Laura Brand (ultimate hacker), they plot to escape that infernal school.
H.I.V.E. is the first book in a two part series that will have you awake at midnight.
-A. Ellis
by Mark Walden
Before I start with this review, I would like to explain something. I will rate book on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 is the lowest and 10 being that highest. So at the ends of my reviews I will give a number. Now on to my review.....
H.I.V.E. is about Otto Malpenze. A student who has an enormous gift for intelligence. But when he is kidnapped to H.I.V.E (or as it stands for) The Higher Institute for Villainous Education. Once at H.I.V.E. Otto sees some of its features. But when he learns that the has to stay here for 6 years, Otto refuses. But there is nothing he can do about it.....or is there? Join Otto with his Friends Wing and his other companions, as they attempt to be the FIRST STUDENTS EVER to escape form H.I.V.E. Will Otto make it out alive. Or will his brain fail him for the first time ever. Find out in H.I.V.E.
Review number: 8
-S. Rauf
Otto Malpenze was brought to the Higher Institute of Villainous Education against his will. Wing Fanchu is also kidnapped. Once they arrive Otto and Wing quickly become friends. Along with Shelby Trinity (world class thief) and Laura Brand (ultimate hacker), they plot to escape that infernal school.
H.I.V.E. is the first book in a two part series that will have you awake at midnight.
-A. Ellis
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