Saturday, November 30, 2013

Unremebered by Jessica Brody****

In Unremebered there's a plane crash. All passengers are dead. Except one. Sera only remembers being dragged out of the sea, and then nothing beyond that. She is in a hospital with everyone making sure she's okay. A mysterious boy appears in her room, and he tells her that it's time for her to go. Then he just disappears. Sera later asks a nurse if she saw the boy, but apparently nobody had. Sera, or Violet (her nickname because it is the color of her eyes), is sent to foster care. She is instructed to lay low by the hospital because of the paparazzi--she is the only survivor of a major plane crash, and she is quite beautiful. She keeps trying to get her memory back, but she is kidnapped by a red-headed man. The man tells her it will be okay, but Sera knows something is up. He tells her that she is a cyborg, and that he was the one that made her. Then the boy from the hospital appears. Zen, as she learns, takes her on a magical adventure through her own memory.

This book had some very humorous elements. Zen and the foster brother are both quite funny. I loved the how the author introduces the foster brother. He got all huffy and said that Sera was "hot." I think the amount of detail was just right, not too gruesome, but not too kiddish. I really liked the parts with Zen on it because he never failed to make me laugh. This is an amazing book, but I wouldn't recommend this to elementary school kids.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Don't Look Now by Michelle Gagnon****

In Don't Look Now children are being taken off the streets and forced to undergo surgical procedures. Noa is one of the children who managed to escape the operating tables, and with Zeke (you learn about him in the first book) she fights the operations by stealing the children back. Of course she can't do this with just two people; she has a tiny army instead. The army is made up of people who have been rescued or almost been taken by the Project Persephone staff. Noa manages to save three kids on their next lab raid, but she is suspicious of the children. They go to a house where the whole army is welcome. There, two of the three children that they rescued set bombs and alert the people who will take them away. Noa manages to escape with Teo and Daisy. Can the three remaining members survive against the ruthlessness of the Project Persephone staff?

This book had a lot of potential for a series book. The author should have added a bit more to Zeke's background (I have read the first book, no surprise there. It didn't describe Zeke enough though.). The book had a lot of details and could be happening right now in the real world. I loved the first book, but this book gives it a run for its money.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

The Assault by Brian Falkner****

In The Assault Chisnall, the commander of the Angel Squad, is deployed with his crew, ready to fight the alien invaders. His team has been specially designed for the mission; they sport the alien's looks and most of the alien's traits. As his team infiltrates the base, they have a traitor on their hands. Chisnall tries to find the traitor, hoping that the mission isn't completely failed because of him/her. When Chisnall's crew gets into the base a few aliens are suspicious that they aren't really aliens. The squad fights their way out when the aliens discover who they really are. This instigates the final war between the aliens and the humans.

This book had a lot of funny moments, but it was more action than anything. I think that the author could have used more detail in describing the aliens. You never would have realized that the squad had been transformed into an exact replica of the aliens. I think overall, this was a great book. I just generally think that many kids would love this series.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Fleshmarket by Nicola Morgan**

In Fleshmarket, the main character Robbie lives in 1822. His mother dies five days after surgery, leaving Robbie to live with only his father and sister. Robbie fends for himself, holding a grudge against the surgeon who "killed" his mother. Robbie follows around the surgeon and gets caught. The surgeon, Dr. Knox, helps him out. Robbie opens the door to one of Dr. Knox's friend's houses and looks upon a murder. Robbie runs for his life, knowing this is where the surgeon gets his dead "prisoners." Robbie is on the long road filled with murder and death, just trying to get revenge at the surgeon.

I think this book's details create a good historical fiction novel. The amount of detail the author crammed into the book was impressive. I loved how Robbie could connect with a lot of kids. This author did an amazing job on this book, but at times it had trouble holding my attention. This is for upper elementary kids because it is pretty short and not terribly violent or gruesome, although some of the details are gross and very appropriate for the time period.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon McKay***

Thunder Over Kandahar is about Yasmine. Her mother decides to move back to Afghanistan, and, of course, Yasmine has no desire to go. She must move, however, from England to a small Afghan village. One of the village girls immediately befriends Yasmine. A school is being built in their village, and it's for girls and boys. The problem is taht girls are not allowed to be educated according to the Taliban, so this could lead to major consequences. Yasmine learns that her friend Tamanna will soon be married because of her uncle's bets.  She runs away with the help of Yasmine into the mountains. They endure suicide bombers, the harsh desert, and the constant threat of the Taliban.

I think this author really explores thh problems of Afghanistan. The book described dangerous events with clarity. I loved the friendship between the girls. It gave the author so many windows to the story. I think this is a book for middle school kids, considering that it is a short read.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers***

In Fallen Angels, Richard Perry has signed up to fight in the Vietnam War. Perry is deployed in the jungles of Vietnam, and strikes a friendship with Peewee, a teen with an attitude. In their squad they have a bunch of misfits. Some are overly religious, some are control freaks, but they all will fight together. They fight the "Congs" which are the nicknames for the Vietnam soldiers. They bond as friends and they bond as soldiers, and each and everyone of them will not be forgotten. Ever.

This book was historical fiction. If you didn't know, I hate historical fiction. But when I read a historical fiction book, it's likely to be good. I think the amount of detail was a bit over done. This is a war scene, it gets pretty gruesome with details. Overall the book was fine. Lots of strong language and lots of death. I wouldn't recommend this to younger kids.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Body Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci****

In The Body of Christopher Creed, Torey and his friends live the "perfect" life. Then a kid at their school, Christopher, goes missing. Christopher has a few problems though. He's a motormouth, he can't learn to stay away from trouble, and he can't even get privacy in his own house! So when Christopher goes missing, everyone points at the kids that live in the ghetto, who have always bullied and hurt him. The principal of the school seems to have a suicide e-mail from Christopher, so Torey gets help to hack into the message. It was definitely written by Christopher. Torey decides to go on an adventure with the help of Ali and her boyfriend Bo, to help find/save Christopher from whatever he's gotten himself into.

This book had many elements to it. I loved the way Christopher described a girl on the beach in his diary. He said she was beautiful and shy. It turns out that all Christopher's stories were his own imagination. This book was full of teenager drama that is very realistic. This book presses into a much deeper subject than just bullying though, his parents gave him no individuality and were very over-protective. All of Christopher's siblings rooms were almost identical, and his parents would root through his own stuff whenever they felt like it. I think this book presses into the matter of over-protective parents and bullying, but this is not for younger kids. Only high-schoolers should read these kinds of books.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick****

Have you ever wondered what the future might be like? The Last Book in the Universe gives us a dsytopian look at what might be. In the time of probes (needles that directly project images into the user's minds), Spaz is one of the only people who can't use them. He's allergic to the needles. When his latchboss tells him to go rob Ryter, a old man (or gummy), Spaz gets creeped out. Ryter owns and is writing the last book in the universe. Ryter wants to know Spaz's story, but Spaz says he doesn't have one. Then Spaz's friend/sister Bean (he was adopted) becomes sick. Spaz, along with the help of a proov (an advanced human), a five year-old, and Ryter, goes to the family that he has been banished from to save the person he loves the most. Can he save Bean? Can he protect the last book in the universe? But can he make a change in the world they live in now?

This book really surprised me because it was sort of dull in the beginning. I read this in about an hour. I saw Catching Fire today, which caused me to read a really short book. Despite the fact that it was a quick read, I loved the amount of detail and action the author put into this book after the first few chapters. At every twist and turn, there was more and more action just waiting to be read. I think this is a bit more of an advanced book, so it's for kids in junior high or high school.

Friday, November 22, 2013

The Land by Mildred Taylor*****

I recently read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry for my ELA class (English/ language arts), so The Land was an obvious choice for me to read next. It all starts when Paul-Edward is growing up. It tells the story of his life, and gives details about his brothers and sister. It shows the betrayal between Paul-Edward and his family. This is the sequence of events that gives the Logans their land. Paul-Edward works hard and and manages to get the land because he looks white. He was born a slave and his father was his owner. He manages to set his family up for future stories in the Logan family.

This book was amazing. I usually hate historical fiction, but Mildred Taylor's books are an exception. I love the use of detail; it felt like an actual story of real people instead of just fictional characters, and I didn't feel like I was being forced to learn about a big historical event. Now, I have a better understanding of the racism in this country after the Civil War. I hope you love this book as much as I have.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

I, Robot by Issac Asimov*

Have you ever wanted to own a robot? Well in I, Robot, you can. It is after the second world war when the human race starts to make robots to help them out. Skip some years. Some of the robot testers are on Mercury trying to get some energy substance to power the ship back to Earth. But the robot doesn't get the materials because of the rules. Rule 1: Never hurt a human. Rule 2: Always follow orders by humans, except if it will hurt anther human. Rule 3: You must protect your own existence unless interfering with the first or second rules. They manage to get back, but we all know what happens next: the robot apocalypse.

I did not like this book at all. It was really confusing, it just jumped from place to place without explaining anything. It was a really hard to write the summary just because of this factor, so sorry if it's really confusing. I just absolutely hated that stupid jumping from time to time thing. I really don't recommend this to anyone.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford****

What if your job was to clean up after the guys who perform autopsies? This is what Christopher does in The Morgue and Me. He learns that a man in his town, Mitch, has died. The head of the staff says the death was suicidal. Then Christopher gets a closer look; there are five gunshots wounds in the torso (or chest) area. He knows that a man couldn't have been able to do this on his own, so when he finds about fifteen grand in the head of the staff's suitcase, he just knows someone killed this man. Christopher goes to investigate the Mitch's murder, so first he stops at the reporter's office who did the story on Mitch's death. The reporter's assistant decides to take the case with him. Christopher is for real and so is Tina, the reporter's assistant. They uncover the clues leading up to the murder, and all the schemes behind it.

In this book I loved how the author integrates a bunch of old friends, along with the new into this book. Tina is introduced in the reporter's office. Then we have Mike, a long time friend, who is actually caught up in this whole murder. We also have Julia, a long time crush who dumped him for the homecoming dance. I have been going on a little mystery book rampage here. I don't know why, but mysteries make me never want to put the book down lately. I hope you love this mystery as much as I have.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Seconds Away by Harlan Coben*****

Seconds Away all starts when Mickey is in the Bat Lady's house. She has shown him a photograph of the man who told him his father had died. But this photograph is roughly 70 years old, and the doctor was roughly 30. Mickey soon learns that one of his "crew" was shot in the head and her mother was murdered. Of course, Mickey is taken in for questioning. Mickey and the two other members of his "crew" try to solve the mystery, but Spoon, the youngest member of his squad, gets shot trying to help them solve the case. Ema is the other member. When Mickey follows her home, he finds out her gigantic secret. Then Mickey visits Spoon in the hospital, and Spoon tells him that they didn't catch the guy who killed the girl's mother and shot her in the head. Mickey, Spoon, and Ema must solve the mystery shrouding the town to unlock the secrets that run deep into their lives. Especially about the picture; the picture of the Butcher of Lodz.

This book was amazing. It could've used more detail on Spoon or Rachel, just to reinforce the characters more. I think that everyone looking for a great mystery book would love this book. It gave away the ending too fast though. You could guess who killed the mother and shot Rachel in the middle of the book. Overall though, it was very good.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Projection by Risa Green****

Projection is about Gretchen and her friend, Jessica. When Gretchen's mother is killed, most likely from being the head of the Oculus Society, everything in Gretchen's life turns upside-down. Gretchen blames the most hated girl in school for this: Ariel. Then Jessica is accepted into the Oculus Society, and soon learns about an ability to switch bodies. Jessica insists that Gretchen should come and do the ritual with her. The ritual involves them "kissing." Ariel catches them and makes it a scandal, but while this is happening, Jessica and Gretchen have switched bodies. Ariel soon learns that the two girls go to a different school. A school in England. Ariel becomes the most popular girl in the school because of this. When Jessica and Gretchen come back they manage to wrap Ariel up in their world of switching bodies. The three girls now must uncover who killed Gretchen's mother, and why they did it.

I thought this book had a very good grip of action. It never failed to be sad on the sad parts, or mad in the mad parts (there are a lot of these). I think the author could have described the charcters better, but overall I though this was a great book. Anyone looking for a good read should look here. BONUS: If you find out who committed the murder, post it in the comments section!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Crescent by Homer Hickam****

Crescent is about Crater. He is starting to fight the crowhoppers, but when the crowhoppers are almost all killed, one crowhopper is left and Crater doesn't have the heart to kill it. The crowhopper tells Crater that their base is over in the hatch. Crater checks the hatch, and a very tiny crowhopper jumps out to kill him. Crater manages to take the crowhopper hostage. Crater soon learns that the crowhopper is a girl, but everyone else thinks she's an animal. Her name is Crescent (like the book). Crater saves Crescent from death and travels across the moon, helping himself and his friends at the same time to save the moon.

This book was a very good sequel to Crater. The author did an amazing job with details and an amazing job with the plot. I don't think that there will be another book in this series though. I loved how the crowhoppers aren't supposed to feel emotion, but Crescent is able to feel emotion. Anyone looking for a good read look no further. I hope you will love this book as much as I have.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Crater by Homer Hickam****

Have you ever dreamed of living on the moon? In Crater, a boy named Crater mines for precious dust on the moon. Crater is one of the weaker boys, so when he shows his bravery by saving another miner, he is selected to travel with a convoy to deliver the dust. Crater is attacked and separated from the convoy by crowhoppers. They are lethal assassins, and they are the most feared thing on the moon. Crater faces a warship, lots of crowhoppers, and a ton of trouble with the whole convoy.

This book shows the problems with too much advancement for the human race. It proves a point about energy consumption. That's why Crater is on the moon--to mine the dust for energy. This should prove a point to all who wish to keep using oil, and to anyone supporting them. I think that anyone should be able to read this book, but it has a lot of violence.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Solstice by P.J. Hoover***

Solstice is about Piper, a girl living during the worst global warming ever. The temperatures are almost always over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When a new boy, Shayne, arrives, everyone, especially Piper, is head over heels. Shayne seems to only have eyes for Piper, which surprises her a lot. Then she learns that her friend is going to die. On the day her friend is going to die, Shayne comes with an angel. Piper pleads with Shayne not to kill her friend, so Shayne takes her to the Underworld. Piper now embarks on a journey filled with mythology and betrayal to love and death.

This book was okay. I wasn't impressed by it at all. It had some good parts, I was very surprised by the use of mythology though. I think anyone who's a fan of Rick Riordan would really like the mythology parts, but maybe not the rest.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill****

All Our Yesterdays is about Em. She has been imprisoned by the doctor. She and her friend Finn are always trying to find a way to escape the lab. When a soldier finds his way through the lab, he helps them escape through the device that ruined their lives: the time machine. Em travels back to the time when the doctor is young, just to kill him. This will eliminate Em and the doctor, giving her past-self a new chance at life. Can Em save her past-self and the boy she once loved from becoming the doctor?

Would you time travel if you could? This book sort of shows that some ideas aren't very good. A lot of people would let that kind of power go to their heads. Anyone looking for an addicting book should read this.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

In Darkness by Nick Lake****

In Darkness is about Shorty, a boy in Haiti during the gang wars and the earthquake. He is in the hospital when the earthquake hits. He is buried under the rubble in a super tiny room. Shorty tells the story of his life, the gang wars, the government leaders, even dead sisters. He tells his story with bits of intertwined memory reaching out to him. The memories are from a slave rebel, the rebel who started the campaign to make Haiti free. Can Shorty escape from the darkness and into the light?

This book has so many good points. It always shows never to give up and to never look back. Shorty looks back to his past a lot and ends up paying the price for it. He thinks he finds his sister, but it's a different girl. He tries helping the gangs, read where that got him: the hospital. He pays the price in this, surprisingly, fiction book. I loved this book and I hope you do too. Warning--very brutal violence.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey*****

The Fifth Wave is about Cassie. She one of the few unlucky survivors of the other waves. The reason for this: the aliens. They look like us, they talk like us, they even bleed like us. But the question is... who are they? Cassie finds a soldier, obviously handiwork of the aliens, and she kills him to put him out of his misery. When she sees one of the aliens, Cassie decides it's do or die. She is shot and wakes up in a warm bed in an undamaged house. When a handsome boy in untattered clothes comes into the picture, Cassie knows her time is up. But the "boy" takes care of her, nursing her back to health, giving her enough to eat, even offering to locate her brother with her. Then it becomes  clear, his alibi doesn't fit his life before, and he kills with more skill than Cassie has ever seen. Something is not right. Now we switch to Ben, the boy Cassie likes. He thinks because he is rescued from a sick camp and put into the "alien" fighting force that he blessed. But what he doesn't know is that he will have to undergo rigorous training and help kill some of his squad own members. And when he is deployed, he is told to kill the glowing green guys in his eye ware. He doesn't hesitate. This is the Fifth Wave.

This book was amazing. To tell the truth, I was reluctant to read this book, but when I did, I just couldn't put it down. I think that a really good point (Inferred!) that Rick Yancey made was that we just make everything to be easier than it really is. Like when Cassie said the aliens that we all imagine are all green, big headed, dressed in silver jumpsuits, stupid, and so much more. We need to almost always push ourselves instead of thinking that everything will come easily to us. This book is a great read, but is a long one as well. Suited for anyone old enough to handle the alien invasion.

Monday, November 11, 2013

The Edumacation of Jay Baker by Jay Clark*****

The Edumacation of Jay Baker is about Jay, a high-school boy with problems galore. His parents split, his used-to-be best friend calls him "gay," and his life is in ruins. When one of the newer girls, Caroline, at his school tells him that he's cute (in detention of course), he knows that she is his dream girl. Caroline's father is a tennis freak, making Jay practice with C-line, as Jay calls her. On top of all of this, Jay learns that his mother is having an affair. Jay knows that to survive this year he must be the best that he can be.

This book showed a very interesting side to the world of teens, mostly because it was really close to a teenager's real life. It doesn't cover up the way kids go through school and even through life. I think that most kids would agree with me on this, just because they have probably gone through something like this. I liked how realistic this was, especially on the sensitive issue of bullying. This is a book for anyone.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Cydonian Pyramid by Pete Hautman****

The Cydonian Pyramid is the second book in the Klaatu Diskos series. Tucker is back and is wandering around... the North Pole? He has jumped through the maggot and ended up in the North Pole. He has no idea why he is there until a sub emerges. He is taken on board and is questioned by the doctor. He tells his story in the girl's point of veiw, the girl who saves his life. Tucker tells the story of their exciting past, and maybe even their near future.

This book added a lot more drama to the storyline. I felt that it added on to the first book, with the extra details that couldn't be added before. Overall, it was a great book. I definitely reccomend this for anyone who needs a bit of adventure.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman****

Time travel. It is the focus of many science fiction books, but Pete Hautman's The Obsidian Blade interweaves religious faith, romance, and time travel into one thought-provoking story. The focus of the story is Tucker, a teenager whose father mysteriously disappears one day when he is repairing the roof. His dad, a reverend at the local church, returns shortly after his disappearancet with a mysterious girl. Eventually both Tucker's mom and dad go missing, and Tucker realizes that there are disks that allow him to time travel.  He enters into alternate realities trying to figure out what has happened to his parents.

This book was good, but seemed cliched at times, and I'm not sure how I feel about the religious undertones. Another complaint I have is that it doesn't really resolve anything at the end, setting up for the second book in the series. I'll be reading that tomorrow, so I will let you know how the story progresses.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss***

Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse is about Phillip, who comes from an atheist family. When he trips and falls, hurting his ankle, he tries to hide from his cross-country coach. A girl finds him, and asks him to come to her church with her on Wednesdays. He has to hide this very important fact from his dad. He soon realizes that converting is very hard, and as he tries to learn the ways of Jesus Christ, everything becomes one big, jumbled up mess. Can Phillip learn the ways of God and live with the way he is?

This book explains a lot of the ways people convert others, or the struggles of someone converting religions. I think this is a good book for anyone converting, or anyone just looking for a soul-search. I think this book is definitely not for young teens--there are heavy references to drugs and other stuff in the book. If anyone is looking for a good book, this is it.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Unbreakable by Elizbeth Norris****

Have you ever wanted to visit other universes? In Unbreakable, Jannelle would do anything to get her boyfriend from another universe back. Even if it means breaking a ton of laws. Then Jannelle is told that Ben never made it back to his home universe because he is presumably involved in human-trafficking. She joins forces with Ben's best friend and an IA officer to bring down the trafficking ring and save Ben from the law.

This book was really good. It contained a lot of action, which I love. Anyone who loves series books will love these books. I didn't know that there was a first book in the series, so this is the second book in the series (sorry). I hope you love this series book--I know I did.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Reluctant Assassin(WARP) by Eoin Colfer*****

Have you ever wanted to time travel? In The Reluctant Assassin Riley is the apprentice to Death himself, Albert Garrick. When Riley is about to prove his loyalty to Albert, the man he is about to kill wakes up. The man transports Riley forward in time with him. Riley tries to tell Chevie (a FBI trainee) that he is from 1898, but she just doesn't believe him. When Garrick goes through the teleporter, he merges with one of the scientists. Can Riley and Chevie survive Garrick, the streets of 1898 London, the gangs, and the thieves that patrol the streets--all at the same time?

This book was very weird. There were mutations after you go through the teleporter. I love how the author added the time travel because not many authors include this in their books. The stuff that comes out sometimes is really gross. If you love action and government-based novels, you will love this book. But again: not for the weak of stomach.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Z by Michael Thomas Ford****

Z is about Josh. It's after the zombie apocalypse and everybody is happy. Josh cannot stop playing the game that simulates the days when there were still "meatbags." When the best player in the world asks him to join their real squad, he can't resist. But what he doesn't know is that the games-master uses real zombies. While he is playing the game, his friend wants to know what he's doing. Josh can't tell him the truth. If he does, he could be killed, or worse: turned. He must race against the games-master to save his friends, and possibly the whole world.

This book was one of the better books I have read over the past couple of days. I love zombie books in the first place, but I think that the game was a great idea. Anybody looking for a great book to "turn" to should look here.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Overpowered by Mark H. Kruger*****

Overpowered is about Nica. She is a free spirit, always moving around the world with her mom. When her mom gets the option to move to Antarctica, Nica is super excited to move. Then her mom breaks the news that she's going back home. Nica is horrified that she has to move back home. But when she notices that there is a curfew in the town, she begins to get suspicious. Then she meets up with "Rebel Boy" after curfew, and it happens. The pulse. She has never felt anything like it. Jackson, AKA Rebel Boy, has to show her his amazing powers. Then her new friend, Oliver, can run at amazing speeds and jump almost thirty feet up. Nica must embark on her adventure with super-charged humans with amazing powers.

This book was one of my favorites, probably because of the fact that the author's a film-writer. This book had so much detail. I thought it was amazingly written. Anyone looking for a good read must read this book.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

The Genius Wars by Catherine Jinks****

Cadel is back in The Genius Wars. He is living his normal life, or as normal as he can get. He still hangs out with Hamish, and is trying not to be like the boy Prosper has made him to be. When the police catch Prosper on camera, his adoptive father shows him the footage. Cadel realizes that Prosper's photo has been inserted in the video feed. When Sonja's wheelchair is hacked, Cadel must find out who is responsible for landing her in the hospital. Then a bus crashes into his house, putting his father in the hospital. Cadel embarks on his epic journey to find and destroy Prosper English.

These series books are amazing. They continue to keep me interested, even during the school scenes. With the ability to involve hacking, Catherine Jinks opens up a huge window for herself and Cadel. She can make almost anything happen in her books. These books are great for middle-schoolers.

Book o' the month October 2013


Choosing the best book for the month of October was such a hard decision for me to make--there were so many good books. So I've chosen two. The books I have chosen are Touching Spirit Bear and Into That Forest. These books were so good. They were both realistic fiction, and I'm surprised that I liked them better than some of the sci fi or fantasy books that I read (because those are usually my favorite genres). I would say these are for anyone. I love how they both connect to nature. If more authors wrote like this, I would probably read two books a day.

Leave your feedback, and let me know if there are other great books out there. Thanks.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Mojo by Tim Tharp***

Mojo is about Dylan, a boy who works on the news team for his school. When he jumps into a dumpster after being chased by thugs, he finds a dead body,and now he knows he's in trouble. The dead boy is Hector Maldonado, a semi-popular boy in Dylan's school. Then one of the girls in the North side of the town goes missing, and Dylan jumps on the chance for an amazing story. He finds a blue running shoe, the girl's shoe, and the police immediately think Dylan is the person who took Ashton. But he still thinks that he can find her captor. When the police find Ashton tied to a pipe with a black eye, she gives the police the name of a boy who really didn't have anything to do with her capture. This case leads Dylan and his friends through so many twists and turns that the outcome could almost kill them.

This book was good, but not great. I feel that some kids who like mysteries will love the book, while some would hate it. It's up to you to make the decision to read this book. Take this case, if you dare.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks****

In Genius Squad Cadel returns, back and better and than ever. He tries to stop being the evil genius that he once was. But he just can't shake his evil ways of life. When he decides to join the squad, he notices they are looking for his supposed late father's program. Then the worst thing happens: the man that is bent on using Cadel for his advantage escapes from jail. In the middle of the night Cadel is taken along with Sonja to be transported to Prosper's base. Will Cadel use that huge brain of his to save himself and his friends?

This book was very well written for a series book. I loved how Cadel started out in a foster house again, just like the first book. This story has the same aspect as many action/adventure books in a series, but this book keeps the setting in modern times. It just adds some more things that keep you guessing throughout the book. I thought this book was a very, very good book.