Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Year: 2015
ISBN: 9781627792127
Abstract: "Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction--if they don't kill each other first"-- Provided by publisher.
Reviewed by Olivia L. 9th Grade
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a dark fantasy novel set in a fictional world. In this world, there are Grisha. Grisha are from the country of Ravka, and their powers can range from healing and dealing damage to the body to manipulating elements.
The story follows Nina, Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Wylan, and Matthias on their journey to break into the Ice Court, the most impenetrable fort in the world and Matthias’s homeland, to rescue Bo Yul-Bayur.
Bo Yul-Bayur is a scientist who invented the addictive drug jurda parem. Jurda parem has the power to heighten the senses of the Grisha and make them unstable. Will the street-theives-turned-jail-breakers succeed before this information is in the wrong hands?
I really liked this book because of how immersive the world was. I will admit that there are several sub-plots and background stories woven into their journey, which could make it a difficult story to follow, but for me, this made it more interesting. They each have so many different facets to their goals and ambitions, and I enjoyed seeing them change throughout the story.
Book of the dead
Author: Michael Northrop
Year: 2015
ISBN: 9780545723381
Abstract: "Nothing can save Alex Sennefer's life. That's what the doctors say, but his mom knows it's not true. She knows that the Lost Spells of the Egyptian Book of the Dead can pull her son back from the brink. The problem? When she uses the spells, five Death Walkers are also brought back to life. An ancient evil has been unleashed. Long-dead mummies are awakening. New York City is overrun by scorpions. And worst of all for Alex, his mom and the Lost Spells have both disappeared. He and his best friend, Ren, will do anything to find his mom and save the world ... even if they have to go head-to-head with a Death Walker who has been plotting revenge for three thousand years"--Page 4 of cover.
Reviewed by Christian W. 11th Grade
The book Tomb Quest: Book of the Dead practically emits adventure. An adventure containing plenty of mummies, cultists and magic. The author Michael Northrop certainly knows what he's doing when it comes to making a story. Our story opens with a lot of plot heavy dialogue from the cultists. Then switches to the. Main character, Alex Sennefer. We find out that Alex has an unknown medical condition and he has to take special pills every day. We also meet his smart friend Ren Duran .Later, his mom disappears with some important artifacts. Alex and his friend Ren and an old professor. Have to find and stop the cultist and the mummy who they think kidnapped his mom. The best part of this book is the list of the alphabet and what hieroglyphs it corresponds to.
Captain Underpants and The Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants
Author: the fourth epic novel by Dav Pilkey ; with color by Jose Garibaldi
Year: 2023
ISBN: 9781338864328
Abstract: Captain Underpants comes to the rescue when a science teacher goes off the deep end because students make fun of his name.
Reviewed by Christian W. 11th Grade
Captain underpants and the perilous plot of professor poopypants is a big success when it comes to the humor department. If you have ever enjoyed childish humor, then you will probably enjoy this book.The book starts out with the origin story of Professor Poopypants and why he seeks a job. But when he gets to the school, he gets laughed at by everyone.He finally snaps when George and Harold make a silly, but cruel comic about him. From there on he decided to take over the world. He uses the growth ray to make his robot suit bigger then he shrinks the entire school. Finally he threatens to shrink anyone who doesn't change their name to something silly. But with the well timed help of the growth ray and Captain Underpants.They finally defeat Professor Poopypants. My favorite part of this book is the chart where you can change your name to something hilarious.
Five nights at Freddy's. The silver eyes : the graphic novel
Author: by Scott Cawthon and Kira Breed-Wrisley ; adapted and illustrated by Claudia Schröder ; colors by Laurie Smith
Year: 2020
ISBN: 9781338627176
Abstract: "Ten years after the horrific murders at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza that ripped their town apart, Charlie -- whose father owned the restaurant -- and her childhood friends reunite on the anniversary of the tragedy and find themselves at the old pizza place which had been locked up and abandoned for years. After they discover a way inside, they realize that things are not as they used to be. The four adult-sized animatronic mascots that once entertained patrons have changed. They now have a dark secret ... and a murderous agenda."--Provided by publisher.
Reviewed by Christian W. 11th Grade
Calling all lovers of things scary and creepy,this is a book for you! The book takes place in a town called Hurricane, a town that is still getting over the trauma of a terrible event that took place 10 years ago.The main characters have to deal with issues,mysteries and the evil animatronics connected with that tragedy . The thing I like most about the book is the art style.The art style does a good job at invoking fear,excitement,curiosity and sinister intent. I also like the design of the animatronics.The design is the same in the games,which I really appreciate. Finally if you look closely at some of the characters,their reactions are really funny.
The adventures of Tom Sawyer
Author: Mark Twain ; illustrated by True W. Williams
Year: 1999
ISBN: 9780517205761
Abstract: The adventures and pranks of a mischievous boy growing up in a Mississippi River town in the early nineteenth century.
Reviewed by Christian W. 11th Grade
Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer is a literary classic.You will really enjoy Tom's cleverness at tricking people ,even at the beginning of the book, his own aunt admitted to his cleverness. You will also enjoy the adventures he and his friends get into. The book kicks off with him stealing food and postponing punishment. Then comes the famous part of the book Tom convinces people they should be paying him to whitewash his fence. His method is very effective, leading to him getting a lot of trinkets.next follows his adventures in school, trying to make life more exciting.Later, he and his friends run away and go to an island. And also follows his adventure Injun Joe. Last but not least, his final adventure is Navigating through the caves and Getting out to safety.
I would rate this 10 out of 10 for adventure and humor.I really enjoyed reading it, especially the parts where Tom is tricking people.
Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Year: 2017
ISBN: 9781250095251
Abstract: "Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett's father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over. But this year, Scarlett's long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor who she has just met, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval's mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season's Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner."-- Provided by publisher.
Reviewed by Mariona N. 11th Grade
The book Caraval by Stephanie Garber is an excellent novel. It follows a girl named Scarlett as she takes a reluctant journey to play a secret, magical game in the hope of rescuing her sister. Not only is this book a fun fantasy romance; there's an endlessly twisty mystery element that had me finding new little hints and details even on my fourth read! The world of Caraval is described beautifully throughout the novel, and expanded on in equal detail throughout the sequels and spin-off series. The characters and relationships are very compelling. I think this book is best for 14-17 year olds.
Housemaid
Author: Freida McFadden
Year: 2022
ISBN: 9781538742570
Abstract: Every day I clean the Winchesters' beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor. I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew's handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it's hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina's life. I only try on one of Nina's pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it's like. But soon she finds out - and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it's far too late. But I reassure myself that the Winchesters don't know who I really am. And they don't know what I'm capable of.
Reviewed by Yasmine B. High School
I recently read the book “Housemaid” by Freida Mcfadden. I’d been craving for something to put me on the edge of my seat, since my love for thrillers only grows every day. This book tells the story of a woman who takes a job as a maid in a rich family’s home, but finds out something twisted is going on. The beginning was slow, and it took a lot for me to trudge through the boring details. But that’s what eventually hooked me. Those “boring” details led to something sinister as the plot thickens. Nina (the wife that lives there) has wild erratic behavior, and you can tell something is off about her. But her cruel actions towards the main character make sense at the end of the book, which made me realize how much I love twists. The story flips completely in the middle, and all the characters I trusted looked extremely different. The sense of danger feels very real when you’re reading the book, and has you hating and loving the characters at the same time. Anyways, great book!
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Year: 2022
ISBN: 9780063204157
Abstract: "For fans of A Man Called Ove, a luminous debut novel about a widow's unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium-and the truths she finally uncovers about her son's disappearance 30 years ago"-- Provided by publisher.
Reviewed by Olivia L. 9th Grade
This story is told from three characters perspectives on their journeys to find closure, love, and family. It takes place in Sowell Bay, Washington.
Marcellus the Octopus is a Giant Pacific Octopus who lives at the aquarium and forms an unlikely friendship with the cleaning lady, Tova. He knows his life will end soon, and his last wish is for Tova to have closure and find lost family.
Tova Sullivan cleans the aquarium to fill the loss caused by her 18 year old son Erik’s disappearance and her late husband. She thinks that she will grow old alone, with only the vacant cleaning position at the aquarium marking her passing. That is, until Cameron Cassmore shows up in town.
Cameron Cassmore lived with his aunt after his mother abandoned him when he was young. He is broke and unable to hold down a job, so he decides to track down his absent father and beg for 18 years of missed child support to put him back on his feet. What he learns about his father and the small town of Sowell Bay are enough to turn multiple lives around, not just his own.
I didn’t think that I would like this book very much when I picked it up, but I ended up loving it. The way that Tova and Cameron’s stories start very far apart but grow more intertwined is super interesting. I especially loved how Marcellus’s narratives were told from his perspective, which added a ton of foreshadowing and truly showed how smart octopuses really are.
Where We Come From
Author: Oscar Cásares
Year: 2019
ISBN: 9780525655435
Abstract: "From the acclaimed author Brownsville and Amigoland--a stunning and timely new novel about a Mexican-American family in a Texas border town who reluctantly become involved in smuggling immigrants into the United States. Brownsville, Texas, has a dangerous reputation: it sits on the U.S. side of the bridge into Matamoros, Mexico, a city controlled by notorious cartels. But that isn't why 12-year-old Orly doesn't want to visit. Though he's still grieving the death of his mother, his father, Victor, is making him spend the summer in Brownsville with his godmother, Nina. Now a successful ad executive in Houston, Victor was raised in Brownsville and thinks it will do Orly good to know about his less-privileged roots. But Nina, distracted by having to care for her elderly mother, seems only to have rules for Orly. In particular: Don't go near the back house. . . Nina has spent her own life following rules and sacrificing her own desires for others' needs. But when a single act of kindness toward her desperate Mexican cleaning lady begins to spiral out of control, Nina risks exposure from all sides--not only from her curious godson and her controlling brother, but from ruthless human traffickers and the police. Now, Nina will have to face the secrets she's long kept if she has any hope of helping the people suddenly under her care. Tackling the crisis of U.S. immigration policy from an unusual, deeply humane angle, Where We Come From explores the ways that family history shapes us, how secrets can burden us, and how finding compassion and understanding for others can ultimately set us free"-- Provided by publisher.
Reviewed by Hazel J. 10th Grade
Where We Come From is a novel written by Oscar Cásares is a book that humanizes the struggles of the people who live on the U.S-Mexico Border. The book humanizes the illegal immigration issue and talks about the many sides of the story, like the coyotes, illegal immigrants, and the people living on the boarder. The book delves into right and wrong, and how it is not such a black and white issue. The author himself lived right by the border and has witnessed these issues. The book does go through a different character almost every chapter, so it can be a little difficult keeping track of which character one is reading. For people who are interested in how different policies and how these issues affect people’s lives, I would highly recommend this book.
The cruel prince
Author: Holly Black
Year: 2018
ISBN: 9780316310277
Abstract: Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences. As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes the first book in a stunning new trilogy filled with twists and enchantment, as one girl learns the meaning of true power when she finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue--From dust jacket.
Reviewed by Hazel J. 10th Grade
Cruel Prince by Holly Black is one of the most exciting books I have ever read. It is a fantasy book about a human girl who lives with faeries. The book had so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes, and I ended up staying up all night just to finish the book. Holly black is an excellent storyteller because you fall in love with the characters and the story, as the plot unfolds. Unfortunately, while the book is an exciting read, the relationships are not healthy, and are slightly on the toxic side. Overall, Cruel Prince by Holly Black is a thrilling book that you should not miss out on.
Jacob Have I Loved
Author: Katherine Paterson
Year: 1980
ISBN: 9780690040791
Abstract: Feeling deprived all her life of schooling, friends, mother, and even her name by her twin sister, Louise finally begins to find her identity.
Reviewed by Hazel J. 10th Grade
Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson is one of the best books I have ever read. It tells the struggles of the main character Louise being in her sister Caroline’s Shaddow. Louise works hard but is never appreciated for all the hard work she does for her family. This story is so good and delves into the themes of jealousy and really works in emotion into the writing. I spent a whole night reading the book because I loved it so much. This is a book where the main character is not perfect and struggles. You fall in love with Louise and root for her and cry for her. Jacob Have I Loved is a read you cannot miss
I Must Betray You
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Year: 2022
ISBN: 9781984836038
Abstract: In a country governed by isolation, fear, and a tyrannical dictator, seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer, but he decides to use his position to try to outwit his handler, undermine the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. Includes author's note.
Reviewed by Havel J. 10th Grade
I must Betray you by Ruta Sepetys is one of the best books you will ever read. It is a historical fiction about a boy, Cristian Florescu, growing up amidst the Romanian Revolution during the 1989. The book has so many twists and turns that one would not see coming. The Romanian government is oppressive, but Cristian is selected to spy on friends and family for them. The book delves into the themes of right and wrong and how it is never black and white, especially when people are trying to survive. For those who love a historical fiction with action, this is the book for you.