Title: Nancy Drew: Where's Nancy
Author: Carolyn Keene
Genre: Mystery
Reviewer: Marisa
This book is about Nancy going missing. Nancy was about to work on
a big mystery at the museum,but she disappeared. So her friends Bess,
Ned, and Georgia set out to find the missing detective. They have never
tried to solve a case without Nancy. So they start looking for clues in
Nancy's bedroom. They come across a calendar hanging on the wall.
The calendar contains her tasks for the week. They try to track her down
according to what is written on the calendar. They have no luck. Her own
Dad hasen't seen her in 3 days. Will they ever find Nancy Drew?
I would recommend this book to mystery lovers. When I was reading it
I could actually visualize what was going on. I would have never guessed
the ending. It was exciting to read what was going to happen next. I really
liked this book and I hope you do to.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Title: When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Author: Judith Kerr
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewer: Sidd
First of all, this book has nothing to do with a pink rabbit. Actually, this story is mainly about a 10 –year old girl named Anna and her older brother named Max. They are Jewish, and they lived at the time when the Nazis first took power. Their father is a writer, and the Nazis won’t let him publish his works anymore. Even so, they still went on with their normal lives. Then, one day, Anna’s father escaped and relocated to Switzerland. Soon afterwards, their mother told them that they also had to escape to Switzerland. Will Anna’s family be able to stay one step ahead of Hitler?
This is a historical fiction piece. This book had thrills and comedy on every page. Just imagine, the effect of being Jewish in that time period, even I would be scared. I just couldn’t put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone with a passion for history or anyone yearning for a touching book. I can honestly say that this book will leave a lot of memories for me.
Author: Judith Kerr
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewer: Sidd
First of all, this book has nothing to do with a pink rabbit. Actually, this story is mainly about a 10 –year old girl named Anna and her older brother named Max. They are Jewish, and they lived at the time when the Nazis first took power. Their father is a writer, and the Nazis won’t let him publish his works anymore. Even so, they still went on with their normal lives. Then, one day, Anna’s father escaped and relocated to Switzerland. Soon afterwards, their mother told them that they also had to escape to Switzerland. Will Anna’s family be able to stay one step ahead of Hitler?
This is a historical fiction piece. This book had thrills and comedy on every page. Just imagine, the effect of being Jewish in that time period, even I would be scared. I just couldn’t put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone with a passion for history or anyone yearning for a touching book. I can honestly say that this book will leave a lot of memories for me.
Claws
Book Title: Claws
Author: Dan Greenburg
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Suspense
Reviewer: Chelsea
This book Claws is about a fifteen year old named Cody. In the beginning of the story he decides to run away from his mother, due to mental abuse. His mother had been abusing him from a very young age when she first threatened his love for her with his beloved teddy bear, almost competing with the bear for his affection. As she threatened “do you love me more than the bear?”, and was not satisfied with his answer, she persisted and then proceeded with cutting off the bear’s head. The abuse endures for several years until he finally makes his decision to run away.
He goes across almost the whole country, from New York to Texas, to try to escape his mother who is constantly trying to track him down. He previously worked at a fast-food restaurant for some time, but he likes to keep moving to ensure that his mother will not find him. As he moves on, he finds a job that interests him. It was a job at the Sam Houston Tiger Ranch. Cody begins his job thinking that he would not be able to physically meet the tigers, but he was very wrong.
Right when he thought he met all the tigers, they introduced him to Brutus. Brutus was the biggest and most aggressive tiger they had at the ranch. Cody often tried to avoid Brutus. Cody does the regular chores, cleaning up after the tigers, feeding them, and taking his assigned tiger for walks around the ranch.
While working at the ranch he meets Sunny, the owner. He also meets the co-owner and his three new cabin mates. During his experience he has some rough spots. He finds out from his cabin mates that they heard a rumor that Sunny may have possibly murdered her brother Wayland. As he tries to figure this out, the police come and tell Sunny that they think she killed Wayland a few years back. Cody helps her unravel this mystery by asking some people in town about the whereabouts of Wayland.
A few days after Sunny was proved innocent, a tornado came through the area. Cody and the staff try to find all the tigers that have escaped from their cages during the storm. After all the chaos, his mother finds him and wants to bring him back home. During an intense argument Cody and the staff manage to stall his mother until tomorrow. They ended up calling the police. The next afternoon, his mother returned again only to be confronted by Cody, the staff, and the police. Since Cody was fifteen, the police stated that if he did not want to go back home with his mother he didn’t have to. After another heated argument, his mother finally gave up. Cody decided to stay at the ranch. Now Sunny and the rest of the staff were his family, since he had nowhere else to go.
I would recommend this book because, it has suspense and a very interesting plot. It is an intriguing subject matter to read about, including the topic of tigers, Cody’s wild abuse experienced from his mother, and the independence and determination of Cody to find happiness through freedom. Every time I read one chapter I just had to read the next, and the next, and so on. I couldn’t put this book down.
Author: Dan Greenburg
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Suspense
Reviewer: Chelsea
This book Claws is about a fifteen year old named Cody. In the beginning of the story he decides to run away from his mother, due to mental abuse. His mother had been abusing him from a very young age when she first threatened his love for her with his beloved teddy bear, almost competing with the bear for his affection. As she threatened “do you love me more than the bear?”, and was not satisfied with his answer, she persisted and then proceeded with cutting off the bear’s head. The abuse endures for several years until he finally makes his decision to run away.
He goes across almost the whole country, from New York to Texas, to try to escape his mother who is constantly trying to track him down. He previously worked at a fast-food restaurant for some time, but he likes to keep moving to ensure that his mother will not find him. As he moves on, he finds a job that interests him. It was a job at the Sam Houston Tiger Ranch. Cody begins his job thinking that he would not be able to physically meet the tigers, but he was very wrong.
Right when he thought he met all the tigers, they introduced him to Brutus. Brutus was the biggest and most aggressive tiger they had at the ranch. Cody often tried to avoid Brutus. Cody does the regular chores, cleaning up after the tigers, feeding them, and taking his assigned tiger for walks around the ranch.
While working at the ranch he meets Sunny, the owner. He also meets the co-owner and his three new cabin mates. During his experience he has some rough spots. He finds out from his cabin mates that they heard a rumor that Sunny may have possibly murdered her brother Wayland. As he tries to figure this out, the police come and tell Sunny that they think she killed Wayland a few years back. Cody helps her unravel this mystery by asking some people in town about the whereabouts of Wayland.
A few days after Sunny was proved innocent, a tornado came through the area. Cody and the staff try to find all the tigers that have escaped from their cages during the storm. After all the chaos, his mother finds him and wants to bring him back home. During an intense argument Cody and the staff manage to stall his mother until tomorrow. They ended up calling the police. The next afternoon, his mother returned again only to be confronted by Cody, the staff, and the police. Since Cody was fifteen, the police stated that if he did not want to go back home with his mother he didn’t have to. After another heated argument, his mother finally gave up. Cody decided to stay at the ranch. Now Sunny and the rest of the staff were his family, since he had nowhere else to go.
I would recommend this book because, it has suspense and a very interesting plot. It is an intriguing subject matter to read about, including the topic of tigers, Cody’s wild abuse experienced from his mother, and the independence and determination of Cody to find happiness through freedom. Every time I read one chapter I just had to read the next, and the next, and so on. I couldn’t put this book down.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Lightning Thief
Title: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: fantasy
Reviewer: Kyle
This is the first book out of four in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The story takes place in modern times at the beginning, and then goes to Camp Half-Blood, then on a quest to save the gods from a war. As he leaves for home for the summer, his mom tells him that they are going to the beach. There, danger comes as they sleep in the cabin. In rushes Grover, who is not wearing his fake feet to hide his hooves. Percy’s mom takes him to a “summer camp” called Camp Half-Blood. It was very rainy. On the way, they face the Minotaur. It “kills” Percy’s mom, and Percy kills it using its own horn. He makes it to camp, and he is welcomed in the Hermes cabin because he is a newcomer (Hermes is the god of travelers and thieves, and it is undecided who’s son he is). He likes camp and gets to know everyone until they play capture the flag. And this isn’t your typical capture the flag game, unless you normally use magic items and real swords and spears in it. There, he protects the border, and is hit with an electric spear, and is sent into a creek. In the water, he fights remarkably and fends off the other team. He is cut, but somehow the water heals him. It is decided: Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon. After that is decided, he is offered a quest to find Zeus’s master bolt, the main power source for Zeus and to retrieve Hades’ helm of darkness, the item that allows him to blend with shadows. Both items are stolen, and Poseidon is blamed for it. If Percy doesn’t find it by June 21, there will be an all out war among the gods. A war so deadly, it could make the Trojan War seem like a balloon fight! He has 10 days to find both items and get them back to Olympus. They make a deadly journey into the Underworld.
I read this book because it was recommended by Mrs. Milanowski. I loved it. It is a very exciting story. Right when I thought I knew where everything was, it was a trick! This book also taught me about Greek Mythology. It is the best book I ever read! Read it! It won’t let you stop reading until you finish it!
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: fantasy
Reviewer: Kyle
This is the first book out of four in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The story takes place in modern times at the beginning, and then goes to Camp Half-Blood, then on a quest to save the gods from a war. As he leaves for home for the summer, his mom tells him that they are going to the beach. There, danger comes as they sleep in the cabin. In rushes Grover, who is not wearing his fake feet to hide his hooves. Percy’s mom takes him to a “summer camp” called Camp Half-Blood. It was very rainy. On the way, they face the Minotaur. It “kills” Percy’s mom, and Percy kills it using its own horn. He makes it to camp, and he is welcomed in the Hermes cabin because he is a newcomer (Hermes is the god of travelers and thieves, and it is undecided who’s son he is). He likes camp and gets to know everyone until they play capture the flag. And this isn’t your typical capture the flag game, unless you normally use magic items and real swords and spears in it. There, he protects the border, and is hit with an electric spear, and is sent into a creek. In the water, he fights remarkably and fends off the other team. He is cut, but somehow the water heals him. It is decided: Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon. After that is decided, he is offered a quest to find Zeus’s master bolt, the main power source for Zeus and to retrieve Hades’ helm of darkness, the item that allows him to blend with shadows. Both items are stolen, and Poseidon is blamed for it. If Percy doesn’t find it by June 21, there will be an all out war among the gods. A war so deadly, it could make the Trojan War seem like a balloon fight! He has 10 days to find both items and get them back to Olympus. They make a deadly journey into the Underworld.
I read this book because it was recommended by Mrs. Milanowski. I loved it. It is a very exciting story. Right when I thought I knew where everything was, it was a trick! This book also taught me about Greek Mythology. It is the best book I ever read! Read it! It won’t let you stop reading until you finish it!
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Lion,the Witch,and the Wardrobe
C.S Lewis
Genere:Imagitive Fiction
Reviewer: Katie
Would you like to open a door and enter a new world? Narnia, the land beyond the wardrobe, is a secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. This story takes place during World War II in London. The children are evacuated from London due to German bombing and staying with an elderly professor in his home. In their new home, the children began to explore.
Lucy, who was the youngest child, climbed into the wardrobe closet and found that it led to a snow-covered land called Narnia. In Narnia, she meets a fuan by the name of Mr. Tumnus. He tells her that Narnia is ruled by a wicked White Witch who has doomed it to always be winter, but never Christmas. Mr. Tumnus is to turn any human he finds to the White Witch, but he tells Lucy that he likes her and wants to help her return back to her world.
When Lucy returns back, no one believes her about her adventure. To prove that Narnia exists, she takes her brother Edmund with her into the wardrobe. He tries to follow her, but gets lost and caught by the White Witch. The witch gives him some Turkish Delight to eat and promises him power to become King of Narnia if he brings the other children to her castle.
Lucy and Edmund return home and convince the other children to come back to Narnia with them. There they find out that Tumnus has been captured for helping Lucy return home. The children then seek to help him. They come across two beavers who inform them that there is a myth. It states that the poor children of Adam and Eve must be placed in the throne of Cair Paravel, and if that were to happen, the evil time would be over and done with. This is something that the White Witch wanted to prevent.
Edmund decides to leave the group of children and meet the White Witch in order to obtain power from her. Once he gets there, he realizes that he was betrayed and the witch had no intention of giving him any power or more Turkish Delight! She then uses him to try and capture the other children. With the help of a great lion, Asian, the children confront the witch. However, in order to save the children, Asian gives himself up and is killed by the witch. In the end, Asian comes back to life, there is a battle, and asain finally kills the White witch. The children become kings and queens, spending many years in Narnia until they grew up. One day, they returned back to their world and found themselves as children again.
There are several main characters in the book. The four children are brothers and sisters. The eldest is Peter, who is the hero of the book by helping overthrow the White witch. Susan is the second oldest child. She did not believe in Narnia at first. After the victory, she is crowned Queen Susan. Edmund is the third child. He also did not believe Lucy, but when he did get to Narnia, he was enchanted and went over to the dark side for Turkish Delight and power. Eventually, he regretted this and helped save Narnia. Lucy is the youngest child. She is the one who discovered the land of Narnai. The White Witch is the queen of Narnia. It was her fear of prophecy that told that if two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve were ever to come to Narnia, the winter would end and her overthrow would be at hand. Aslan is the lion who sacrifices himself to spare the life of Edmund. He becomes reincarnated and eventually kills the White Witch. The professor is who cared for the children after their evacuation from London. Mr. Tumnus is a faun who helped Lucy return home when she stumbled onto Narnia.
My favorite character in the book was Edmund. Even though he was considered the villain of the book, I felt that he was the most interesting because he changed the most during the book. In the beginning, he did not believe Lucy’s stories of Narnia. Once in Narnia, he became tempted by the power that he could obtain and the endless supply of Turkish Delight he could have! Eventually, he realized that betraying his family was not right and then helped to overthrow the White Witch. I felt it was very interesting to watch how he was at first tempted by power but then realized how his actions might affect not himself, but his own family and the rest of the citizens of Narnia.
C.S Lewis
Genere:Imagitive Fiction
Reviewer: Katie
Would you like to open a door and enter a new world? Narnia, the land beyond the wardrobe, is a secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. This story takes place during World War II in London. The children are evacuated from London due to German bombing and staying with an elderly professor in his home. In their new home, the children began to explore.
Lucy, who was the youngest child, climbed into the wardrobe closet and found that it led to a snow-covered land called Narnia. In Narnia, she meets a fuan by the name of Mr. Tumnus. He tells her that Narnia is ruled by a wicked White Witch who has doomed it to always be winter, but never Christmas. Mr. Tumnus is to turn any human he finds to the White Witch, but he tells Lucy that he likes her and wants to help her return back to her world.
When Lucy returns back, no one believes her about her adventure. To prove that Narnia exists, she takes her brother Edmund with her into the wardrobe. He tries to follow her, but gets lost and caught by the White Witch. The witch gives him some Turkish Delight to eat and promises him power to become King of Narnia if he brings the other children to her castle.
Lucy and Edmund return home and convince the other children to come back to Narnia with them. There they find out that Tumnus has been captured for helping Lucy return home. The children then seek to help him. They come across two beavers who inform them that there is a myth. It states that the poor children of Adam and Eve must be placed in the throne of Cair Paravel, and if that were to happen, the evil time would be over and done with. This is something that the White Witch wanted to prevent.
Edmund decides to leave the group of children and meet the White Witch in order to obtain power from her. Once he gets there, he realizes that he was betrayed and the witch had no intention of giving him any power or more Turkish Delight! She then uses him to try and capture the other children. With the help of a great lion, Asian, the children confront the witch. However, in order to save the children, Asian gives himself up and is killed by the witch. In the end, Asian comes back to life, there is a battle, and asain finally kills the White witch. The children become kings and queens, spending many years in Narnia until they grew up. One day, they returned back to their world and found themselves as children again.
There are several main characters in the book. The four children are brothers and sisters. The eldest is Peter, who is the hero of the book by helping overthrow the White witch. Susan is the second oldest child. She did not believe in Narnia at first. After the victory, she is crowned Queen Susan. Edmund is the third child. He also did not believe Lucy, but when he did get to Narnia, he was enchanted and went over to the dark side for Turkish Delight and power. Eventually, he regretted this and helped save Narnia. Lucy is the youngest child. She is the one who discovered the land of Narnai. The White Witch is the queen of Narnia. It was her fear of prophecy that told that if two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve were ever to come to Narnia, the winter would end and her overthrow would be at hand. Aslan is the lion who sacrifices himself to spare the life of Edmund. He becomes reincarnated and eventually kills the White Witch. The professor is who cared for the children after their evacuation from London. Mr. Tumnus is a faun who helped Lucy return home when she stumbled onto Narnia.
My favorite character in the book was Edmund. Even though he was considered the villain of the book, I felt that he was the most interesting because he changed the most during the book. In the beginning, he did not believe Lucy’s stories of Narnia. Once in Narnia, he became tempted by the power that he could obtain and the endless supply of Turkish Delight he could have! Eventually, he realized that betraying his family was not right and then helped to overthrow the White Witch. I felt it was very interesting to watch how he was at first tempted by power but then realized how his actions might affect not himself, but his own family and the rest of the citizens of Narnia.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Inkspell
Book: Inkspell
Author: Cornelia Funke
Genre: Fiction, fantasy
Reviewer: Carl
This book is the second of a trilogy. The first book is Inkheart. The story continues with a girl named Meggie and her father who was known as Silver Tongue. He and his daughter both have a special talent that can be dangerous. They can read a book or story and make characters from the book come to life in their world or accidentally transfer someone from their world into the book. The “writer” of the books, Fenoglio, lives in one of the books … he got read into the book. Something tragic happened to Meggie’s mom in Inkheart … Silver Tongue had read her into “Inkheart”. On her journey to the “Inkworld” she lost her voice. In Inkspell she gets read out of the book.
Since Fenoglio has not written another sequel yet, the world is going into chaos. Things that should not happen are happening. More and more people are getting hurt. There is another man, Orpheus, has the same talent at Meggie and her dad. Only he uses his “gift” for evil and trying to gain money and power.
I would recommend this book because the author made up a whole new world. You can feel the characters’ emotions in the book. It is a great fantasy to think of being able to read people in and out of books. You don’t realize how that will change your world or the world that a person gets sent to. The last of the trilogy, Inkdeath, was just released and I can’t wait to read it.
Author: Cornelia Funke
Genre: Fiction, fantasy
Reviewer: Carl
This book is the second of a trilogy. The first book is Inkheart. The story continues with a girl named Meggie and her father who was known as Silver Tongue. He and his daughter both have a special talent that can be dangerous. They can read a book or story and make characters from the book come to life in their world or accidentally transfer someone from their world into the book. The “writer” of the books, Fenoglio, lives in one of the books … he got read into the book. Something tragic happened to Meggie’s mom in Inkheart … Silver Tongue had read her into “Inkheart”. On her journey to the “Inkworld” she lost her voice. In Inkspell she gets read out of the book.
Since Fenoglio has not written another sequel yet, the world is going into chaos. Things that should not happen are happening. More and more people are getting hurt. There is another man, Orpheus, has the same talent at Meggie and her dad. Only he uses his “gift” for evil and trying to gain money and power.
I would recommend this book because the author made up a whole new world. You can feel the characters’ emotions in the book. It is a great fantasy to think of being able to read people in and out of books. You don’t realize how that will change your world or the world that a person gets sent to. The last of the trilogy, Inkdeath, was just released and I can’t wait to read it.
The Phantom Tollbooth
Title: The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Juster
Genre: Fiction
Reviewer: Patrick
Meet Milo, he is a bored little boy. Not just sometimes but ALL the time! He is not interested in anything. One day Milo found a bulky package in his room. It contained a genuine turnpike tollbooth just waiting to be built. When he drives his electrical car through the tollbooth gate his magical journey begins. He first congregates a watchdog named Tock and travels to the city of words called Dictionopolis. It is positioned in the foothills of Confusion near the Sea of Knowledge. He meets a Which named Faintly Macabre who told the story of Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason. Dr. Dischord specializes in noises and becomes a part of his trek. Then he travels to the city of numbers, Digitopolis and meets a Mathemagician. The escapade continues as the dynamic trio; Milo, Tock, and a friend named Humbug voyage to the Mountains of Ignorance on a quest to reinstate peace connecting all those he has met. What Milo discovers in the end is a superior lesson for us all.
Over all, I loved this book and I could not stop reading! This book had stunning words bursting with color. Besides the fact of the dazzling vocabulary, the book is so good it could essentially write itself! There are implausible twists and turns like a rollercoaster which just adds to the interest of the characters in the book. In conclusion, this piece of magic is just extraordinary, and in my opinion I give it a prevailing A, and I think you should really check it out.
Author: Norton Juster
Genre: Fiction
Reviewer: Patrick
Meet Milo, he is a bored little boy. Not just sometimes but ALL the time! He is not interested in anything. One day Milo found a bulky package in his room. It contained a genuine turnpike tollbooth just waiting to be built. When he drives his electrical car through the tollbooth gate his magical journey begins. He first congregates a watchdog named Tock and travels to the city of words called Dictionopolis. It is positioned in the foothills of Confusion near the Sea of Knowledge. He meets a Which named Faintly Macabre who told the story of Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason. Dr. Dischord specializes in noises and becomes a part of his trek. Then he travels to the city of numbers, Digitopolis and meets a Mathemagician. The escapade continues as the dynamic trio; Milo, Tock, and a friend named Humbug voyage to the Mountains of Ignorance on a quest to reinstate peace connecting all those he has met. What Milo discovers in the end is a superior lesson for us all.
Over all, I loved this book and I could not stop reading! This book had stunning words bursting with color. Besides the fact of the dazzling vocabulary, the book is so good it could essentially write itself! There are implausible twists and turns like a rollercoaster which just adds to the interest of the characters in the book. In conclusion, this piece of magic is just extraordinary, and in my opinion I give it a prevailing A, and I think you should really check it out.
Number the Stars
Title: number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowery
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Reviewer: Katie
Do you think that you would be brave enough to risk your life and lie to a German soldier? That is exactly what Annemarie Johansen had to do. She was only 10 years old and living in Copenhagen, Denmark with her family when the Nazi soldiers came marching into their town. Denmark was a small country and they had very few soldiers compared to the Germans. King Christian of Denmark knew that many of his people would certainly die if their country tried to fight against the enormous German army.
Kirsti was Annemarie’s younger sister who enjoyed having fairytales told to her at bedtime. All Danish children grew up with fairytales. She was an obstinate 5 year old who always seem to exaggerate about everything. For Kirsti, the soldiers were simply part of the landscape, something that had always been there. They were on every corner, as unimportant as lampposts, throughout her entire life.
Annemarie had an older sister named Lise who was just 21 years old when she died. She was run down by a car only 2 weeks before she was suppose to get married to Peter Neilsen. Annemarie’s mama and papa never spoke about Lise.
Peter had changed quite a lot since Lise’s death. He used to be like a fun-loving older brother to Annemarie and Kirsti, always playing pranks on them. Now he stopped by their apartment often, but he was usually in a hurry, talking quickly to Mama and Papa and saying things that Annemarie didn’t understand. Papa had changed too. He seemed much older, very tired, and defeated. The whole world had changed. Only the fairy tales had remained the same.
Ellen Rosen was Annemarie’s best friend. She had a stocky build and dark pigtails that bounced against her shoulders as she walked. Annemarie, on the other hand, was lanky and had silvery blond hair that flew behind her.
One evening, Mama came to Annemarie’s room just as she was starting to fall asleep. She told her that Peter was there and she wanted her to come down to the living room. Annemarie hadn’t seen Peter in a long time. There was something frightening about him being there at night. Copenhagen had a curfew, and no citizens were allowed out after 8 o’clock. It was very dangerous, she knew, for Peter to visit at this time. Though his visits were always hurried--they almost seemed secret, somehow, in a way she couldn’t put her finger on. Peter told Mama and Papa that the Germans had issued orders closing many stores run by Jews. It was their way of tormenting Jewish people. And just then, Annemarie realized that the Rosen’s were jewish.
The next day, Mrs. Rosen knocked on the door of the Johansen’s house. She spoke for a long time in a hurried, tense voice to Annemarie’s mother in the hall. Mama said that she had a nice surprise for the girls. She said Ellen would be coming to stay overnight and to be their guest for a few days. At dinner, Papa told them that the Nazi’s had taken the synagogue lists of all the Jews, where they lived, and what their names were. Of course, the Rosen’s were on that list, along with many others.
They planned to arrest all the Danish Jews. They planned to take them away. They call it relocation. Papa said that he could hide one person. Not three. So Peter helped Ellen’s parents to go elsewhere. They didn’t know where, but they would be safe.
That night the soldiers knocked at the Johansen’s apartment. They asked if the Rosen’s were friends of theirs and asked if they knew where they had gone? Then they looked around the apartment. Annemarie remembered the necklace that Ellen had been wearing. She whispered urgently to Ellen to take off her necklace. It had the Jewish star of David on it. But Ellen could not undo the hook. Annemarie yanked the necklace off of her neck, breaking it. She crumpled it into her hand and closed her fingers tightly. Just then, the officers entered the bedroom. They ordered the girls to get out of bed and asked what their names were. Then the officer grabbed Ellen by her hair, asking why she had dark hair when everyone else in the family was blond. She told them that her name was Lise. Papa then swiftly took out the family photo album. He tore out three pictures. They were pictures of the girls when they were infants. The officer tore the photos up after looking at them and threw them on the floor. Mama realized why Papa had torn the photos from the album. He had left the girls names on the photos, but had torn off their date of birth, as the real Lise would have been born twenty-one years earlier. The soldiers finally left.
Mama decided that she should take the girls to her brother Henrick’s house. The soldiers were already suspicious of Ellen. Henrick was a fisherman. Papa called him and asked, “Is the weather good for fishing?” Annemarie wondered why Papa would ask such a question? Was he speaking in code?
When the girls arrived at Uncle Henrick’s house, Henrick asked Mama if she had prepared the living room. She said that she had cleaned the living room and moved the furniture a bit to make room. Annemarie didn’t understand why. Then Mama explained that Great-aunt Birte died and would be resting in the living room in her casket, before being buried the next day. Annemarie had never heard of that name before. Surely she would have known if she had a relative by that name.
Then the hearse pulled up. The casket was placed in the center of the living room and soon people starting arriving at the house to pay their respects. But they were all strangers. Henrick took Ellen outside. In a moment, Uncle Henrick returned with Peter Neilsen, Ellen, and her parents that she hadn’t seen.
As Peter opened the casket, there wasn’t a dead body in it, but rather blankets and clothes that they handed out to everyone in the room. Henrick left for the boat that night. Annemarie realized that Uncle Henrick was going to take the Rosen’s on his boat, across the sea, to Sweden. Peter had given Mr. Rosen a package that he was to give to Henrick when he arrived at the boat. Peter led the first group of strangers from the living room and Mama left 20 minutes later with the second group. When her mother did not return, Annemarie got worried and went out to look for her. As she walked down the path, she could see Mama in the distance. She had fallen and broken her ankle. When Annemarie helped her get up, she noticed a package on the ground. Mr. Rosen must have dropped the package that Peter had given him to deliver to Henrick. Peter said that the package was very important. So Annemarie told her mother that she would run to the boat and deliver the package before they left to Sweden.
Annemarie hid the package in a basket with a napkin over it. As she got closer to the boat, the soldiers approached her. She told them that her Uncle Henrick was a fisherman and had forgot his lunch. They took her bread and gave it to their dogs. Then they took the cheese and apple. Next they lifted up the napkin only to find the package. They ripped it open and to Annemarie’s surprise, they found only a white handkerchief. They let Annemarie go after this and she ran all the way to the boat.
Uncle Henrick had not left yet. He was very happy to see the envelope with the white handerchief. He thanked Annemarie and she ran back home. She hadn’t seen Ellen or anyone else on the boat that morning.
When Uncle Henrick returned home the next morning, Annemarie asked him where Ellen and her family were. He explained to her that they were on the boat, but she could just not see them. The soldiers had been there searching the boat. There were hiding places in the boat underneath the boards. And when the dogs came on the boat to smell for humans, Henrick got out his handkerchief to blow his nose. On it was a special drug that ruins the dog’s ability to smell. Peter had arranged for each boat captain to have his own handerchief.
Uncle Henrick had seen Ellen and her family ashore in Sweden before returning in the boat to Denmark. Annemarie told Ellen before she left for the boat that her necklace was in a safe place and she would give it back to her someday. Annemarie knew that she would see Ellen again, Ellen had promised.
I would recommend this book to a friend because it is written well. I didn’t want to put the book down once I started reading it. Interestingly, it is one of First Lady Laura Bush’s favorite children’s books to read.
Author: Lois Lowery
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Reviewer: Katie
Do you think that you would be brave enough to risk your life and lie to a German soldier? That is exactly what Annemarie Johansen had to do. She was only 10 years old and living in Copenhagen, Denmark with her family when the Nazi soldiers came marching into their town. Denmark was a small country and they had very few soldiers compared to the Germans. King Christian of Denmark knew that many of his people would certainly die if their country tried to fight against the enormous German army.
Kirsti was Annemarie’s younger sister who enjoyed having fairytales told to her at bedtime. All Danish children grew up with fairytales. She was an obstinate 5 year old who always seem to exaggerate about everything. For Kirsti, the soldiers were simply part of the landscape, something that had always been there. They were on every corner, as unimportant as lampposts, throughout her entire life.
Annemarie had an older sister named Lise who was just 21 years old when she died. She was run down by a car only 2 weeks before she was suppose to get married to Peter Neilsen. Annemarie’s mama and papa never spoke about Lise.
Peter had changed quite a lot since Lise’s death. He used to be like a fun-loving older brother to Annemarie and Kirsti, always playing pranks on them. Now he stopped by their apartment often, but he was usually in a hurry, talking quickly to Mama and Papa and saying things that Annemarie didn’t understand. Papa had changed too. He seemed much older, very tired, and defeated. The whole world had changed. Only the fairy tales had remained the same.
Ellen Rosen was Annemarie’s best friend. She had a stocky build and dark pigtails that bounced against her shoulders as she walked. Annemarie, on the other hand, was lanky and had silvery blond hair that flew behind her.
One evening, Mama came to Annemarie’s room just as she was starting to fall asleep. She told her that Peter was there and she wanted her to come down to the living room. Annemarie hadn’t seen Peter in a long time. There was something frightening about him being there at night. Copenhagen had a curfew, and no citizens were allowed out after 8 o’clock. It was very dangerous, she knew, for Peter to visit at this time. Though his visits were always hurried--they almost seemed secret, somehow, in a way she couldn’t put her finger on. Peter told Mama and Papa that the Germans had issued orders closing many stores run by Jews. It was their way of tormenting Jewish people. And just then, Annemarie realized that the Rosen’s were jewish.
The next day, Mrs. Rosen knocked on the door of the Johansen’s house. She spoke for a long time in a hurried, tense voice to Annemarie’s mother in the hall. Mama said that she had a nice surprise for the girls. She said Ellen would be coming to stay overnight and to be their guest for a few days. At dinner, Papa told them that the Nazi’s had taken the synagogue lists of all the Jews, where they lived, and what their names were. Of course, the Rosen’s were on that list, along with many others.
They planned to arrest all the Danish Jews. They planned to take them away. They call it relocation. Papa said that he could hide one person. Not three. So Peter helped Ellen’s parents to go elsewhere. They didn’t know where, but they would be safe.
That night the soldiers knocked at the Johansen’s apartment. They asked if the Rosen’s were friends of theirs and asked if they knew where they had gone? Then they looked around the apartment. Annemarie remembered the necklace that Ellen had been wearing. She whispered urgently to Ellen to take off her necklace. It had the Jewish star of David on it. But Ellen could not undo the hook. Annemarie yanked the necklace off of her neck, breaking it. She crumpled it into her hand and closed her fingers tightly. Just then, the officers entered the bedroom. They ordered the girls to get out of bed and asked what their names were. Then the officer grabbed Ellen by her hair, asking why she had dark hair when everyone else in the family was blond. She told them that her name was Lise. Papa then swiftly took out the family photo album. He tore out three pictures. They were pictures of the girls when they were infants. The officer tore the photos up after looking at them and threw them on the floor. Mama realized why Papa had torn the photos from the album. He had left the girls names on the photos, but had torn off their date of birth, as the real Lise would have been born twenty-one years earlier. The soldiers finally left.
Mama decided that she should take the girls to her brother Henrick’s house. The soldiers were already suspicious of Ellen. Henrick was a fisherman. Papa called him and asked, “Is the weather good for fishing?” Annemarie wondered why Papa would ask such a question? Was he speaking in code?
When the girls arrived at Uncle Henrick’s house, Henrick asked Mama if she had prepared the living room. She said that she had cleaned the living room and moved the furniture a bit to make room. Annemarie didn’t understand why. Then Mama explained that Great-aunt Birte died and would be resting in the living room in her casket, before being buried the next day. Annemarie had never heard of that name before. Surely she would have known if she had a relative by that name.
Then the hearse pulled up. The casket was placed in the center of the living room and soon people starting arriving at the house to pay their respects. But they were all strangers. Henrick took Ellen outside. In a moment, Uncle Henrick returned with Peter Neilsen, Ellen, and her parents that she hadn’t seen.
As Peter opened the casket, there wasn’t a dead body in it, but rather blankets and clothes that they handed out to everyone in the room. Henrick left for the boat that night. Annemarie realized that Uncle Henrick was going to take the Rosen’s on his boat, across the sea, to Sweden. Peter had given Mr. Rosen a package that he was to give to Henrick when he arrived at the boat. Peter led the first group of strangers from the living room and Mama left 20 minutes later with the second group. When her mother did not return, Annemarie got worried and went out to look for her. As she walked down the path, she could see Mama in the distance. She had fallen and broken her ankle. When Annemarie helped her get up, she noticed a package on the ground. Mr. Rosen must have dropped the package that Peter had given him to deliver to Henrick. Peter said that the package was very important. So Annemarie told her mother that she would run to the boat and deliver the package before they left to Sweden.
Annemarie hid the package in a basket with a napkin over it. As she got closer to the boat, the soldiers approached her. She told them that her Uncle Henrick was a fisherman and had forgot his lunch. They took her bread and gave it to their dogs. Then they took the cheese and apple. Next they lifted up the napkin only to find the package. They ripped it open and to Annemarie’s surprise, they found only a white handkerchief. They let Annemarie go after this and she ran all the way to the boat.
Uncle Henrick had not left yet. He was very happy to see the envelope with the white handerchief. He thanked Annemarie and she ran back home. She hadn’t seen Ellen or anyone else on the boat that morning.
When Uncle Henrick returned home the next morning, Annemarie asked him where Ellen and her family were. He explained to her that they were on the boat, but she could just not see them. The soldiers had been there searching the boat. There were hiding places in the boat underneath the boards. And when the dogs came on the boat to smell for humans, Henrick got out his handkerchief to blow his nose. On it was a special drug that ruins the dog’s ability to smell. Peter had arranged for each boat captain to have his own handerchief.
Uncle Henrick had seen Ellen and her family ashore in Sweden before returning in the boat to Denmark. Annemarie told Ellen before she left for the boat that her necklace was in a safe place and she would give it back to her someday. Annemarie knew that she would see Ellen again, Ellen had promised.
I would recommend this book to a friend because it is written well. I didn’t want to put the book down once I started reading it. Interestingly, it is one of First Lady Laura Bush’s favorite children’s books to read.
The Silver Chair
Title: The Chronicles of Narnia/The Silver Chair
Author: C.S. Lewis
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Reviewer: Dan
This story takes place in Narnia…where animals can talk, where some giants like to snack on humans, where a prince is put under an evil spell…and where the adventure begins.
Eustace and Jill escape from the bullies at their boarding school through a strange door that happens to be open for the first time. It leads to the open moor…or does it? Eustace has entered Narnia before in The Voyage of the Dawntreader. Once again Aslan has a task for the children, and Narnia needs their help. Through dangers and caverns deep and dark, they pursue the quest that leads them to face to evil Witch. She must be defeated if Prince Rilian is to be rescued.
I would recommend this book because it was an interesting book to read for several reasons. One reason is it was an adventurous , nonstop book that I kept reading and reading. Another reason is I thought this book was great because of the author. The author has written many other extraordinary books. He used vivid, detailed words in his writing. Also, the author was British so the book is written with British words. My favorite character was Puddleglum, the Marshwiggle. He was funny, but negative. I really enjoyed this book.
Author: C.S. Lewis
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Reviewer: Dan
This story takes place in Narnia…where animals can talk, where some giants like to snack on humans, where a prince is put under an evil spell…and where the adventure begins.
Eustace and Jill escape from the bullies at their boarding school through a strange door that happens to be open for the first time. It leads to the open moor…or does it? Eustace has entered Narnia before in The Voyage of the Dawntreader. Once again Aslan has a task for the children, and Narnia needs their help. Through dangers and caverns deep and dark, they pursue the quest that leads them to face to evil Witch. She must be defeated if Prince Rilian is to be rescued.
I would recommend this book because it was an interesting book to read for several reasons. One reason is it was an adventurous , nonstop book that I kept reading and reading. Another reason is I thought this book was great because of the author. The author has written many other extraordinary books. He used vivid, detailed words in his writing. Also, the author was British so the book is written with British words. My favorite character was Puddleglum, the Marshwiggle. He was funny, but negative. I really enjoyed this book.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Westing Game
Title: The Westing Game
Author: Ellen Raskin
Genre: Mystery
Reviewer: Siddharth
The place is Sunset Towers. It is an apartment complex overlooking Lake Michgan. Barney Northrup, a realtor, just sold the last apartment in Sunset Towers. Still, as always, life goes on normally, but soon, a bizarre chain of events start happening when sixteen unlikely people gather for the for the reading of the will of Samuel Westing. All of these people are somehow related to Sunset Towers. At the reading, the people found out that he was murdered by one of the people there! The people find out that they will have to win Samuel Westing's "game", and whoever wins inherits his vast fortune. Samuel Westing may be dead, but that won't stop him from playing one last game!
This book was very intriguing. When I was reading it, I actually felt that I was part of the game. This book used vivid vocabulary with a plot that was so shrewd that I finished the book in about 3 days! I was reading that book whenever I had time to. I just couldn't stop reading it. Also, some of the context of this book was very amusing.This mystery book will have you thinking like magic, and there are surprises around every corner. I am sure that you will like it even though it is a slight bit confusing at times. Ellen Raskin is pure genius in this novel. Go ahead, read it now!
Author: Ellen Raskin
Genre: Mystery
Reviewer: Siddharth
The place is Sunset Towers. It is an apartment complex overlooking Lake Michgan. Barney Northrup, a realtor, just sold the last apartment in Sunset Towers. Still, as always, life goes on normally, but soon, a bizarre chain of events start happening when sixteen unlikely people gather for the for the reading of the will of Samuel Westing. All of these people are somehow related to Sunset Towers. At the reading, the people found out that he was murdered by one of the people there! The people find out that they will have to win Samuel Westing's "game", and whoever wins inherits his vast fortune. Samuel Westing may be dead, but that won't stop him from playing one last game!
This book was very intriguing. When I was reading it, I actually felt that I was part of the game. This book used vivid vocabulary with a plot that was so shrewd that I finished the book in about 3 days! I was reading that book whenever I had time to. I just couldn't stop reading it. Also, some of the context of this book was very amusing.This mystery book will have you thinking like magic, and there are surprises around every corner. I am sure that you will like it even though it is a slight bit confusing at times. Ellen Raskin is pure genius in this novel. Go ahead, read it now!
Year of the Dog
Title: Year of the Dog
Author: Grace Lin
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: Siddharth
It's the Chinese New Year of the Dog! When a Chinese girl named Pacy Lin is told that this year for friends, family, and "finding herself", Pacy begins delving right away. As the year goes along, she struggles to find her talent, attempts to make some new friends, and yearning to find out if the Year of the Dog is really a lucky and favorable year for her after all. This book has an amalgam of emotions in every page. You won't be able to put it down!
I absolutely adored this book because even though it was very comedic, it was a very profound book which had some real meaning to it. It explains throughly the Chinese culture and what effect it had on a Chinese-American child. Plus it had cute drawings on every page. For Grace Lin's debut novel, I give her much adulation for one of the best books I've ever read. That's what I think. Go and read it for yourself!
Author: Grace Lin
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reviewer: Siddharth
It's the Chinese New Year of the Dog! When a Chinese girl named Pacy Lin is told that this year for friends, family, and "finding herself", Pacy begins delving right away. As the year goes along, she struggles to find her talent, attempts to make some new friends, and yearning to find out if the Year of the Dog is really a lucky and favorable year for her after all. This book has an amalgam of emotions in every page. You won't be able to put it down!
I absolutely adored this book because even though it was very comedic, it was a very profound book which had some real meaning to it. It explains throughly the Chinese culture and what effect it had on a Chinese-American child. Plus it had cute drawings on every page. For Grace Lin's debut novel, I give her much adulation for one of the best books I've ever read. That's what I think. Go and read it for yourself!
The House on Hackman's Hill
Title: The House on Hackman's Hill
Author: Joan Lowery Nixon
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Fiction
This book I am reviewing is The House On Hackman’s Hill. Joan Lowery Nixon writes this book. This book’s gene is mystery/thriller. It is mainly about two twelve year olds who hear a story about a man, named Mr. Hackman who has a mummy. Mr.Hackman disappears and there is a 10,000 reward for whoever can find it .it been many years after his death, so no one is (supposedly) living in the house.
The two kids go looking for the mummy. They feel like some one is watching them form the window, but they go in anyways. They eventually get snowed in and can’t leave till dawn, or will they make it till dawn?
I would recommend this book too any one who likes mystery books. I liked this book because the author makes you feel like you are there, in the story. She uses some very good adjectives. This book, for me was a real page-turner. This book had mystery, trilling chapters and was just a good book. I liked this book very much!!
Author: Joan Lowery Nixon
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Fiction
This book I am reviewing is The House On Hackman’s Hill. Joan Lowery Nixon writes this book. This book’s gene is mystery/thriller. It is mainly about two twelve year olds who hear a story about a man, named Mr. Hackman who has a mummy. Mr.Hackman disappears and there is a 10,000 reward for whoever can find it .it been many years after his death, so no one is (supposedly) living in the house.
The two kids go looking for the mummy. They feel like some one is watching them form the window, but they go in anyways. They eventually get snowed in and can’t leave till dawn, or will they make it till dawn?
I would recommend this book too any one who likes mystery books. I liked this book because the author makes you feel like you are there, in the story. She uses some very good adjectives. This book, for me was a real page-turner. This book had mystery, trilling chapters and was just a good book. I liked this book very much!!
The Golden Compass
Title: The Golden Compass
Author: Phillip Pullman
Genre: fantasy, fiction
Reviewer: Kimberly
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman takes place in a universe similar to the one we live in, except that everyone in that universe has a daemon, an animal that shows his or her personality. When people are young, their daemons can change into different animals; however, as they grow older their daemon settles as one animal. Peoples’ daemons are typically of the opposite gender. The story begins when Lyra Belacqua, the main character, and her unsettled daemon, Pantalaimon, go into a forbidden room in Oxford and sees someone slip poison into her Uncle Asriel’s drink. This is the start of an adventure that includes friendship, death, betrayal, a quest, stolen children, witches, and panserbjorne, armored bears. This stunning struggle continues in the two next volumes, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
I enjoyed The Golden Compass and the other books in the trilogy because of the suspense and shocking plot twists. It was a truly unique tale that I just had to keep reading and was easy to visualize. The story was amazingly written and wonderfully descriptive and I felt like I was in the story with the characters. Even though it was obviously fantasy it seemed so real. I would definitely recommend this book to others. Anyone who loves to read, or reads at all, will enjoy this book, unless they have no imagination or despise books.
Author: Phillip Pullman
Genre: fantasy, fiction
Reviewer: Kimberly
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman takes place in a universe similar to the one we live in, except that everyone in that universe has a daemon, an animal that shows his or her personality. When people are young, their daemons can change into different animals; however, as they grow older their daemon settles as one animal. Peoples’ daemons are typically of the opposite gender. The story begins when Lyra Belacqua, the main character, and her unsettled daemon, Pantalaimon, go into a forbidden room in Oxford and sees someone slip poison into her Uncle Asriel’s drink. This is the start of an adventure that includes friendship, death, betrayal, a quest, stolen children, witches, and panserbjorne, armored bears. This stunning struggle continues in the two next volumes, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
I enjoyed The Golden Compass and the other books in the trilogy because of the suspense and shocking plot twists. It was a truly unique tale that I just had to keep reading and was easy to visualize. The story was amazingly written and wonderfully descriptive and I felt like I was in the story with the characters. Even though it was obviously fantasy it seemed so real. I would definitely recommend this book to others. Anyone who loves to read, or reads at all, will enjoy this book, unless they have no imagination or despise books.
The Lost Colony
Title: The Lost Colony
Author: Eoin Colfer
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Reviewer: George
This book is part of the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis is an Irish child, a genius, and a criminal mastermind. He is in the unique position of being a human who knows about secret fairies who live underground and about demons who live on the island of Limbo which does exist within time. Young Artemis travels out of time to the island of Limbo to help the fairies diffuse a bomb. Most of the story deals with what happens before he gets to Limbo. After Artemis has diffused the bomb, he has to travel back to Earth. When he gets back to Earth, time is three years later but Artemis hasn’t aged at all.
I would recommend this book to anybody who likes science fiction or fantasy novels. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes to solve codes because on the bottom of every page there are “Gnomish symbols” that can be decoded. This is a very exciting, puzzling story. I suggest you start with the first book in the series Artemis Fowl because it is hard to follow the plot of each book unless you read them in order.
Author: Eoin Colfer
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Reviewer: George
This book is part of the Artemis Fowl series. Artemis is an Irish child, a genius, and a criminal mastermind. He is in the unique position of being a human who knows about secret fairies who live underground and about demons who live on the island of Limbo which does exist within time. Young Artemis travels out of time to the island of Limbo to help the fairies diffuse a bomb. Most of the story deals with what happens before he gets to Limbo. After Artemis has diffused the bomb, he has to travel back to Earth. When he gets back to Earth, time is three years later but Artemis hasn’t aged at all.
I would recommend this book to anybody who likes science fiction or fantasy novels. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes to solve codes because on the bottom of every page there are “Gnomish symbols” that can be decoded. This is a very exciting, puzzling story. I suggest you start with the first book in the series Artemis Fowl because it is hard to follow the plot of each book unless you read them in order.
Twilight
Title: Twilight
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Reviewer: Prabhneet
Seventeen year old Bella Swan leaves Arizona to go live with her father in a small town in the gloomy and constantly raining town of Forks. She had to make new friends and go to a new school. Bella makes some new friends and soon discovers a stunningly attractive boy named Edward Cullen.
At first Edward acts like he can’t stand Bella but then they start up a conversation. She can’t seem to figure out what he is though, she knew for sure that he wasn’t human. On a trip to the beach a local legend is told to her about the “cold ones”, a group of blood drinkers. Bella discovers that Edward is not human, but vampire. Bella and Edward’s relationship go through many obstacles and Bella is always in danger. In the end, they are happily ever after but more is to come.
I would recommend this book because it is a very good romance and it is like no other story I have heard. It is a five star book and a movie is also coming out in December.
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Reviewer: Prabhneet
Seventeen year old Bella Swan leaves Arizona to go live with her father in a small town in the gloomy and constantly raining town of Forks. She had to make new friends and go to a new school. Bella makes some new friends and soon discovers a stunningly attractive boy named Edward Cullen.
At first Edward acts like he can’t stand Bella but then they start up a conversation. She can’t seem to figure out what he is though, she knew for sure that he wasn’t human. On a trip to the beach a local legend is told to her about the “cold ones”, a group of blood drinkers. Bella discovers that Edward is not human, but vampire. Bella and Edward’s relationship go through many obstacles and Bella is always in danger. In the end, they are happily ever after but more is to come.
I would recommend this book because it is a very good romance and it is like no other story I have heard. It is a five star book and a movie is also coming out in December.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Eragon
Title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Reviewer: Carl
The story is about a boy named Eragon who lives on a farm with his uncle and cousin. One day he was walking through the woods and found what he thought was a beautiful stone. After a period of time he found out it was an egg … not just an ordinary egg … a dragon egg. When the egg hatches he names the dragon Saphira because of her blue color. Eragon finds out he is destined to become a Dragon Rider and the adventure begins. This is the first book in a trilogy which means there are three books: Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr.
I like this book because the author uses great descriptive words and has a vivid imagination. You can’t wait to keep reading to find out what happens to all of the characters. You can see the events happening in your mind. He created a whole other world and types of people. The people had different languages (he made them up.) He was only 19 when he wrote Eragon and I think he inspires young people to write.
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Reviewer: Carl
The story is about a boy named Eragon who lives on a farm with his uncle and cousin. One day he was walking through the woods and found what he thought was a beautiful stone. After a period of time he found out it was an egg … not just an ordinary egg … a dragon egg. When the egg hatches he names the dragon Saphira because of her blue color. Eragon finds out he is destined to become a Dragon Rider and the adventure begins. This is the first book in a trilogy which means there are three books: Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr.
I like this book because the author uses great descriptive words and has a vivid imagination. You can’t wait to keep reading to find out what happens to all of the characters. You can see the events happening in your mind. He created a whole other world and types of people. The people had different languages (he made them up.) He was only 19 when he wrote Eragon and I think he inspires young people to write.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Marley and Me
Title: Marley and Me
Author: John Grogan
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reviewer: Jimmy
John Grogan tells the story about his life with Marley. John and his wife, Jenny, purchases a yellow Labrador puppy they name, Marley. The only dogs they ever owned were Saint Shaun and Saint Winnie. Marley was definitely not a Saint Marley. The young puppy grew at a rapid pace. John describes Marley as Cujo in the Stephen King novel. The story continues with the life of Marley until he has grown old.
I think this is one of the best books I have read. If you ever had a dog you would enjoy Marley and Me. There are so many humorous parts in the book. John describes how Marley greeted people at the door. As Marley’s life goes on he gets older and sickly. The novel recounts the sadness of the old Marley. Marley and Me has a surprise ending.
Author: John Grogan
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reviewer: Jimmy
John Grogan tells the story about his life with Marley. John and his wife, Jenny, purchases a yellow Labrador puppy they name, Marley. The only dogs they ever owned were Saint Shaun and Saint Winnie. Marley was definitely not a Saint Marley. The young puppy grew at a rapid pace. John describes Marley as Cujo in the Stephen King novel. The story continues with the life of Marley until he has grown old.
I think this is one of the best books I have read. If you ever had a dog you would enjoy Marley and Me. There are so many humorous parts in the book. John describes how Marley greeted people at the door. As Marley’s life goes on he gets older and sickly. The novel recounts the sadness of the old Marley. Marley and Me has a surprise ending.
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