Zodiac P.I. Book #1, by Natsumi Ando, is the story of thirteen-year-old Lili Hoshizawa, who's not just any other girl. She's a talented astrologer who uses her knowledge of the stars to solve crimes as the mysterious Spica P.I. When a fellow classmate is murdered, Lili suspects one of her own teachers is the culprit. Can she solve this challenging case or will she become the next victim? Then, Lili must go undercover as a piano student in order to investigate a haunted music school.
This was a great book! It was quick and engaging, and I never wanted to put it down! Lili was a complex and interesting character. I'd recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading manga or detective stories.
This book was for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Two Book Reviews
First, I read Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande. It is the story of how one girl tried to reconcile her belief in both religion and science.
Life sucks for Mena Reece. She's been kicked out of her church group and everyone in it hates her, including her parents. Her first day of high school is filled with dirty glares and hard shoves. She doesn't think life will ever get better until she meets her lab partner, Casey. He's pretty funny--and cute--for the smartest guy ever. When the unit on evolution begins, Mena's life gets even wilder as she struggles to deal with her belief in God and science.
I loved this book! It was filled with twists and turns, and I never got bored of reading it. I'd recommend it to anybody interested in realistic fiction or the controversy between evolutionists and creationists.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge.
The second review is of When My Name was Keoko, by Linda Sue Park. It is the story of one Korean family during World War II. During the war, the Japanese occupied Korea. The native Koreans lost everything: their possessions, their food, even their own names. Ten-year-old Sun-Hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, are furious when they are forced to take Japanese names. But what can they do? If they disobey the Japanese, their family will be severely punished. When they discover that their beloved uncle, who is a part of the Korean resistance, has been forced into hiding, their lives are torn apart even more. And when Tae-yul, knowing that the families of soldiers are given special benefits, decides to join the Japanese army as a kamikaze, Sun-hee doesn't know what to think. Will her beloved brother ever return?
I loved this book!!! It was very moving and very emotional--happy at times, sad at others. I think this will be a story that stays with me forever, and I can't say that about many books.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge and the World War II Challenge.
Life sucks for Mena Reece. She's been kicked out of her church group and everyone in it hates her, including her parents. Her first day of high school is filled with dirty glares and hard shoves. She doesn't think life will ever get better until she meets her lab partner, Casey. He's pretty funny--and cute--for the smartest guy ever. When the unit on evolution begins, Mena's life gets even wilder as she struggles to deal with her belief in God and science.
I loved this book! It was filled with twists and turns, and I never got bored of reading it. I'd recommend it to anybody interested in realistic fiction or the controversy between evolutionists and creationists.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge.
The second review is of When My Name was Keoko, by Linda Sue Park. It is the story of one Korean family during World War II. During the war, the Japanese occupied Korea. The native Koreans lost everything: their possessions, their food, even their own names. Ten-year-old Sun-Hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, are furious when they are forced to take Japanese names. But what can they do? If they disobey the Japanese, their family will be severely punished. When they discover that their beloved uncle, who is a part of the Korean resistance, has been forced into hiding, their lives are torn apart even more. And when Tae-yul, knowing that the families of soldiers are given special benefits, decides to join the Japanese army as a kamikaze, Sun-hee doesn't know what to think. Will her beloved brother ever return?
I loved this book!!! It was very moving and very emotional--happy at times, sad at others. I think this will be a story that stays with me forever, and I can't say that about many books.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge and the World War II Challenge.
Teen Book Festival
On Saturday, I went to the Teen Book Festival, or TBF, with my friend Cece. There were many famous authors there, including Linda Sue Park and Michael Buckley. I had four books signed: Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande, Dramacon Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova, and When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park. I had so much fun there!!!!!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Story of a Girl (book review)
Story of a Girl, by Sara Zarr, is the tale of sixteen-year-old Deanna Lambert, who, three years ago, made a huge mistake that she's never been able to forget. Her father caught her in the back of Tommy Webber's Buick. Tommy was seventeen, her older brother Darren's supposed friend, and Deanna wasn't even sure she liked him. Even now, she is still struggling to overcome the role of "school slut" and get people to see her for who she really is. She is not who the rumors portray her as, but how can she get everyone else to realize that? So much drama is going on in her life right now, and Deanna soon finds that everything can change in one summer...
I loved this book! It was the second book I read by this author, and I enjoyed it just as much as (maybe even better than) Sweethearts! The language was beautiful, and it flowed very smoothly. The characters were very realistic; I felt like they could walk out of the book and tap me on the shoulder at any time.
This book is for the Spring Reading Thing Challenge '09.
I loved this book! It was the second book I read by this author, and I enjoyed it just as much as (maybe even better than) Sweethearts! The language was beautiful, and it flowed very smoothly. The characters were very realistic; I felt like they could walk out of the book and tap me on the shoulder at any time.
This book is for the Spring Reading Thing Challenge '09.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Three Poems
Here are three poems I wrote yesterday:
The Forest Sleeps
In the heat of midday
when the chirping of cicadas
drones on and on
and the field, ripe with golden wheat
shimmers with heat waves
the forest sleeps.
But when the sun sinks slowly out of the sky
and the doleful call of the mourning dove rises and fades,
rises and fades
and the crickets play sweet music
for all to hear
and the deer frolic under the trees'
bent boughs,
and the willow
sways calmly in the gentle breeze
it is filled with life.
And in the early morning light
the crickets stop their song
and the deer recede back into
the thickets
and the chickadees chirp for joy
because a new day has begun.
Murder in the Palace
Gilded crimson
velvety cloak
flutters slowly to the ground.
Blood, red as the fabric itself,
pools on the floor.
The assassin, with his
knife
clenched between his teeth,
slips quietly out
the window
just as
the royal guards
come rushing into
the queen's chambers.
Starwalkers
There are three
who walk
the endless path of the stars
on icy nights when the cold
freezes off the toes
of the homeless man,
on sultry nights,
when couples
sit on their porches
and gaze out into the heavens,
and on rainy nights,
when the stray dog
shelters under a soggy cardboard box.
First, there is the girl,
young though she may seem,
her eyes show wisdom
beyond her years
and her feet are worn from treading paths
even the oldest man on Earth
has yet to touch.
Second, there is the cat,
wild though it may seem,
its breath is the wind,
wild, fierce, and free
and the ground upon which it walks
glows with silvery molten light.
Third, there is the elder,
old though he may seem,
his cane
is the trunk
of the tallest redwood tree
and his cloak
is the wing
of the prettiest
nightingale.
Together,
the girl, Time,
and the cat, Earth,
and the elder, Life
maintain the intricate balance
of the world as we know it.
When they finally
fade away
into the distance
and the earth
slows
and the life
withers
and the time
stops
The Forest Sleeps
In the heat of midday
when the chirping of cicadas
drones on and on
and the field, ripe with golden wheat
shimmers with heat waves
the forest sleeps.
But when the sun sinks slowly out of the sky
and the doleful call of the mourning dove rises and fades,
rises and fades
and the crickets play sweet music
for all to hear
and the deer frolic under the trees'
bent boughs,
and the willow
sways calmly in the gentle breeze
it is filled with life.
And in the early morning light
the crickets stop their song
and the deer recede back into
the thickets
and the chickadees chirp for joy
because a new day has begun.
Murder in the Palace
Gilded crimson
velvety cloak
flutters slowly to the ground.
Blood, red as the fabric itself,
pools on the floor.
The assassin, with his
knife
clenched between his teeth,
slips quietly out
the window
just as
the royal guards
come rushing into
the queen's chambers.
Starwalkers
There are three
who walk
the endless path of the stars
on icy nights when the cold
freezes off the toes
of the homeless man,
on sultry nights,
when couples
sit on their porches
and gaze out into the heavens,
and on rainy nights,
when the stray dog
shelters under a soggy cardboard box.
First, there is the girl,
young though she may seem,
her eyes show wisdom
beyond her years
and her feet are worn from treading paths
even the oldest man on Earth
has yet to touch.
Second, there is the cat,
wild though it may seem,
its breath is the wind,
wild, fierce, and free
and the ground upon which it walks
glows with silvery molten light.
Third, there is the elder,
old though he may seem,
his cane
is the trunk
of the tallest redwood tree
and his cloak
is the wing
of the prettiest
nightingale.
Together,
the girl, Time,
and the cat, Earth,
and the elder, Life
maintain the intricate balance
of the world as we know it.
When they finally
fade away
into the distance
and the earth
slows
and the life
withers
and the time
stops
Friday, March 20, 2009
Yay!!! Once Upon A Time 3!!!!
I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited for the Once Upon A Time III Challenge!!!!!!!!! I chose Quest The First, which means you have to read five books that fall under the category of fantasy, myth, folklore, or fairy tales.
Here is my pool of books to choose from:
The Forest in the Hallway by Gordon Smith
Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher
Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Attica by Garry Kilworth
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
Iris, Messenger by Sarah Deming
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles De Lint
The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle
The Siren Song by Anne Ursu
Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
I can't wait to start! Thank you Carl for hosting this challenge!
Spring Reading Thing!!!!
I am so excited for the Spring Reading Thing!
Here is my list:
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Paper Towns by John Green
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
Monkey Town: The Summer of the Scopes Trial by Robert Kidd
The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Roland Smith
The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara
Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Changed book
I switched from The Faerie Path to Story of a Girl because I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll check it out from the library again another time and try again.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
The Plain Janes (book review)
The Plain Janes is a graphic novel by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg. When Jane moves from exciting Metro City to the boring suburbs, she's convinced her life is over...that is, until she meets three other girls named Jane, whom she persuades to form an exclusive club called P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art In Neighborhoods). Together, the Janes, through a bunch of so-called "art attacks," try to bring the beauty of art to the people of their town. But some people don't appreciate P.L.A.I.N.'s attempts so much, and now the police are on their trail! Can the Janes keep pulling off their art attacks, or will they get busted once and for all?
I thought this book was very good. It was a nice, quick, and very unique read. In my opinion, it was an excellent break from heavier reading.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge and for the Graphic Novel Challenge 2009.
I thought this book was very good. It was a nice, quick, and very unique read. In my opinion, it was an excellent break from heavier reading.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge and for the Graphic Novel Challenge 2009.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Beneath my Mother's Feet (book review)
Beneath My Mother's Feet, by Amjed Qamar, is a wonderful coming-of-age story which takes place in Pakistan. Nazia is a dutiful daughter, and does whatever her amma (mother) asks her to. She has never questioned the fact that she will soon be married off and have to tend to her husband's house. That is, until all the clothes for her dowry are stolen, her family is kicked out of their house, and her father abandons them all. Now Amma has arranged for them to work as house servants for three wealthy Pakistani families. Nazia has never wondered if there was another life for her, but now she begins to question all the rules she has grown up with. Perhaps there is another destiny out there for her. It is thoughts like these that eventually lead Nazia to rebel against the tame life planned for her and throw aside all the restrictions that have bound her for so long.
This book was wonderful! It introduced to me a world that is so different from the world that I know, a world where girls are married off at a very young age, with no say in the matter. I felt very bad for Nazia because of all the hardships she was going through, and sometimes I wondered if I would have been brave enough to do what she did if I were in her situation.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
This book was wonderful! It introduced to me a world that is so different from the world that I know, a world where girls are married off at a very young age, with no say in the matter. I felt very bad for Nazia because of all the hardships she was going through, and sometimes I wondered if I would have been brave enough to do what she did if I were in her situation.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Ghostgirl (book review)
Ghostgirl, by Tonya Hurley, is the story of Charlotte Usher, who's invisible to virtually everyone at her high school. She's a nobody, someone who the popular girls, Petula Kensington and her crowd, look down upon. Charlotte wants more than anything to become like Petula and to catch the eye of her crush, Damen. But things never seem to go Charlotte's way, and just when she thinks she's getting somewhere she chokes on a gummy bear on the way to the next class...and dies.
But, as it turns out, she can't rest in peace until she completes an unfinished task. For now, she's stuck on Earth in some kind of strange school for ghosts. Charlotte can only guess what her "unfinished task" is. But for now she's completely fine following Damen around in secrecy. After all, no human can see her now...except for one, Petula's younger sister, Scarlet. And Scarlet just might be the key to scoring a kiss from Damen. Now that Charlotte's a ghost, she can possess humans and inhabit their bodies. All she has to do is convince Scarlet to agree...and get Damen to fall for her. But carrying out this plan just might destroy the delicate world that Charlotte's ghostly friends have built up around them.
This book was okay. I was really enjoying it at first, but towards the middle it seemed to be getting old. All it talked about was Damen, 24/7, which started to get annoying. However, it began to pick up towards the end again. I really loved the bittersweet ending. Overall it was a good book, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it or anything. WARNING: This book, even though it's a fast read, isn't for very young readers. It uses quite a bit of bad language.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
But, as it turns out, she can't rest in peace until she completes an unfinished task. For now, she's stuck on Earth in some kind of strange school for ghosts. Charlotte can only guess what her "unfinished task" is. But for now she's completely fine following Damen around in secrecy. After all, no human can see her now...except for one, Petula's younger sister, Scarlet. And Scarlet just might be the key to scoring a kiss from Damen. Now that Charlotte's a ghost, she can possess humans and inhabit their bodies. All she has to do is convince Scarlet to agree...and get Damen to fall for her. But carrying out this plan just might destroy the delicate world that Charlotte's ghostly friends have built up around them.
This book was okay. I was really enjoying it at first, but towards the middle it seemed to be getting old. All it talked about was Damen, 24/7, which started to get annoying. However, it began to pick up towards the end again. I really loved the bittersweet ending. Overall it was a good book, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it or anything. WARNING: This book, even though it's a fast read, isn't for very young readers. It uses quite a bit of bad language.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Long Shadows (book review)
Long Shadows, by Erin Hunter, is the newest installment in the Warriors: Power of Three saga. Power of Three is the most recent of three six-book series about warrior cats, the first two being Warriors and Warriors: The New Prophecy. There is also a Warriors Super Edition book, called Firestar's Quest, and two Warriors field guides.
Hollyleaf, Jaypaw, and Lionblaze are kin to the legendary clan leader Firestar (who first appeared as Firepaw in the original Warriors series) and are the subject of a prophecy about three of Firestar's relatives who hold the power of the stars in their paws. The three siblings belong to ThunderClan, one of four warrior cat clans, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. One cat from each clan, known as the medicine cat, has the ability to heal other cats with herbs as well as to speak to the cats' warrior ancestors, who are known as StarClan. Jaypaw is the apprentice of ThunderClan's current medicine cat, Leafpool. He has the ability to walk in the dreams of other cats, and although he was born blind, he knows things other cats don't know. When a horrible bout of sickness strikes ThunderClan, it seems as if this more than half of the clan may die. And StarClan has placed their fate in his paws. Can Jaypaw save the sick cats before time runs out?
Hollyleaf is the diplomat of the group. Her dream is to become leader of Thunderclan one day. To her, preserving the warrior code, which all clan cats live by, is more important than almost anything else. But when a mysterious loner begins convincing ShadowClan to abandon the warrior code, Hollyleaf may have to break it herself if she wants to convince them to return to clan life.
Lionblaze is dedicated to becoming the best warrior he can possibly be, but he's hiding a big secret from the rest of ThunderClan--he is visited in his dreams by the dark warrior Tigerstar, who once caused the forest to run red with the blood of innocent cats. Lionblaze is beginning to free himself from Tigerstar's control. However, he is still tormented by bloody visions and violent dreams. Will the darkness within him affect the cats around him?
When madness and murder reach the heart of ThunderClan itself, the three siblings uncover a shocking secret. This revelation forces Jaypaw, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to question everything they've ever believed, and it changes their whole world forever.
I LOVED this book! Once I started reading, it was almost impossible to put it down (although that's happened with every book in the series that I've read so far)! This book revealed darkness in the hearts of some cats, which I didn't notice before. It was very descriptive and easy to understand, and it ended in a cliffhanger that left me wanting more! I will DEFINITELY run out to buy the next book as soon as it comes out in early April. However, to new readers of Warriors I'd definitely recommend starting with the first series. The books are much easier to understand that way.
This book was for the 999 Challenge under the category of "Fantasy with Animals".
Hollyleaf, Jaypaw, and Lionblaze are kin to the legendary clan leader Firestar (who first appeared as Firepaw in the original Warriors series) and are the subject of a prophecy about three of Firestar's relatives who hold the power of the stars in their paws. The three siblings belong to ThunderClan, one of four warrior cat clans, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. One cat from each clan, known as the medicine cat, has the ability to heal other cats with herbs as well as to speak to the cats' warrior ancestors, who are known as StarClan. Jaypaw is the apprentice of ThunderClan's current medicine cat, Leafpool. He has the ability to walk in the dreams of other cats, and although he was born blind, he knows things other cats don't know. When a horrible bout of sickness strikes ThunderClan, it seems as if this more than half of the clan may die. And StarClan has placed their fate in his paws. Can Jaypaw save the sick cats before time runs out?
Hollyleaf is the diplomat of the group. Her dream is to become leader of Thunderclan one day. To her, preserving the warrior code, which all clan cats live by, is more important than almost anything else. But when a mysterious loner begins convincing ShadowClan to abandon the warrior code, Hollyleaf may have to break it herself if she wants to convince them to return to clan life.
Lionblaze is dedicated to becoming the best warrior he can possibly be, but he's hiding a big secret from the rest of ThunderClan--he is visited in his dreams by the dark warrior Tigerstar, who once caused the forest to run red with the blood of innocent cats. Lionblaze is beginning to free himself from Tigerstar's control. However, he is still tormented by bloody visions and violent dreams. Will the darkness within him affect the cats around him?
When madness and murder reach the heart of ThunderClan itself, the three siblings uncover a shocking secret. This revelation forces Jaypaw, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to question everything they've ever believed, and it changes their whole world forever.
I LOVED this book! Once I started reading, it was almost impossible to put it down (although that's happened with every book in the series that I've read so far)! This book revealed darkness in the hearts of some cats, which I didn't notice before. It was very descriptive and easy to understand, and it ended in a cliffhanger that left me wanting more! I will DEFINITELY run out to buy the next book as soon as it comes out in early April. However, to new readers of Warriors I'd definitely recommend starting with the first series. The books are much easier to understand that way.
This book was for the 999 Challenge under the category of "Fantasy with Animals".
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Evernight (book review)
In the suspenseful novel Evernight, Bianca finds herself attending the eerie Evernight Academy. She thinks her life is over...that is, until she meets Lucas. He's handsome, smart, and kind. But the school, and Bianca, are hiding a big secret from him. Except for a select few students, everyone at Evernight is a vampire. Evernight is one of the only places where they can relax and be themselves. Born to two vampires, Bianca is destined to become one herself someday. But it turns out Lucas is hiding a secret just as big, one that threatens to destroy the magical world of Evernight...and those in it...forever.
This was a great book. It wasn't as good as the Twilight saga, but then again it's hard to beat that series. At times it was a little confusing. For example, about halfway through the book, I learned that Evernight was a vampire school. Then, it was revealed that Bianca had known about the vampires all along. Overall, however, it was excellent. The characters were complex and realistic, and I felt like I actually knew them. I will definitely look for the next Evernight book, Stargazer.
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
This was a great book. It wasn't as good as the Twilight saga, but then again it's hard to beat that series. At times it was a little confusing. For example, about halfway through the book, I learned that Evernight was a vampire school. Then, it was revealed that Bianca had known about the vampires all along. Overall, however, it was excellent. The characters were complex and realistic, and I felt like I actually knew them. I will definitely look for the next Evernight book, Stargazer.
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Gothic Lolita (book review)
Gothic Lolita, by Dakota Lane, is the story of two girls in two separate countries with a supernatural connection. Miya lives in Japan. Chelsea lives in California. They're both half Japanese, dress like Gothic lolitas, and love reading a manga series called, "Shonen Rainbow Warrior". But they have more in common than that, as they will soon realize...
They got to know each other through their blogs, but three years ago tragedy struck Chelsea's family, and she stopped writing. Miya has experienced tragedy as well, but she keeps posting and checking Chelsea's blog in the hopes that one day Chelsea will write back. Soon, Chelsea realizes she can't avoid Miya any longer. She goes back online and tells Miya everything. And both girls' lives will drastically change because of it...
I loved this book! It was a bittersweet story of tragedy, love, and triumph with a bit of mystery and fantasy thrown in as well. It was a very quick read, and I'm definitely glad I bought it!
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
They got to know each other through their blogs, but three years ago tragedy struck Chelsea's family, and she stopped writing. Miya has experienced tragedy as well, but she keeps posting and checking Chelsea's blog in the hopes that one day Chelsea will write back. Soon, Chelsea realizes she can't avoid Miya any longer. She goes back online and tells Miya everything. And both girls' lives will drastically change because of it...
I loved this book! It was a bittersweet story of tragedy, love, and triumph with a bit of mystery and fantasy thrown in as well. It was a very quick read, and I'm definitely glad I bought it!
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Warriors: Cats of the Clans (book review)
Warriors: Cats of the Clans, by Erin Hunter, is an overview of the lives of the cats from the Warriors series, which is also by this author. With beautiful illustrations and short but fact-filled descriptions of the cats' lives, the book presents well-known cats from each of the clans (ThunderClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, and WindClan).
This is a must-read for fans of the series, and a good introduction for new readers as well. It was very quick, and very enjoyable. I loved it!
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
This is a must-read for fans of the series, and a good introduction for new readers as well. It was very quick, and very enjoyable. I loved it!
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Bliss (book review)
Bliss, by Lauren Myracle, is the story of fourteen-year-old Bliss, who's spent most of her life on a commune with her hippie parents. But that's behind her, and now she's going to school at stately Crestview Academy. She's excited at first, but soon she begins to hear a voice...a voice that speaks of ghastly things. Bliss soon learns that something terrible is lurking on campus, and that it thirsts for blood...possibly hers. Her fellow classmates seem oblivious to the horrors around them, but, as Bliss soon learns, they are hiding secrets as well. And Bliss will soon be caught in the center of a grisly conflict that will inevitably end in somebody's death.
I really enjoyed this book at the beginning, but near the end it just got too disturbing for my taste. I stuck with it, though. I know the author, Lauren Myracle, has written many other books, and I bet they're probably pretty good. She just went a bit too far for my tastes in this book.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
I really enjoyed this book at the beginning, but near the end it just got too disturbing for my taste. I stuck with it, though. I know the author, Lauren Myracle, has written many other books, and I bet they're probably pretty good. She just went a bit too far for my tastes in this book.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Don't Know Where, Don't Know When (book review)
Don't Know Where, Don't Know When, by Annette Laing, is the story of three children and their time-travel adventure. For Hannah Dias and her brother Alex, life couldn't get any worse. They've moved from their home in California to boring Snipesville, Georgia, where nothing ever happens. Nothing changes when they meet Brandon, a weird kid whom Alex befriends.
But before they know it, the three kids are catapulted into World War II England. The food is gross, the adults are strict, and overall it's not much fun...at first. Hannah longs to return home, but Alex is slowly warming to this new environment. Brandon, meanwhile, is swept backwards in time to 1915. Why is he here? He doesn't know for sure, but what Brandon DOES know is that it has something to do with a person named George Braithwaite. And none of the kids can return home until they solve the mystery and find this boy.
I enjoyed this story overall. It hit a little bit of a drag in the middle, but it soon picked up again. This book made me eager to read the next in this series, called The Snipesville Chronicles.
But before they know it, the three kids are catapulted into World War II England. The food is gross, the adults are strict, and overall it's not much fun...at first. Hannah longs to return home, but Alex is slowly warming to this new environment. Brandon, meanwhile, is swept backwards in time to 1915. Why is he here? He doesn't know for sure, but what Brandon DOES know is that it has something to do with a person named George Braithwaite. And none of the kids can return home until they solve the mystery and find this boy.
I enjoyed this story overall. It hit a little bit of a drag in the middle, but it soon picked up again. This book made me eager to read the next in this series, called The Snipesville Chronicles.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Werewolves (book review)
Werewolves, edited by Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg, is a collection of stories about, well, werewolves. The stories in this book are incredibly varied. In "Bad Blood", by Debra Doyle and J.D. Macdonald, a group of young backpackers is terrorized by a bloodthirsty werewolf in the middle of the night. Who would suspect that the one to save them would be...another werewolf? This was one of my favorite stories.
In "The Werewolf's Gift", by Ru Emerson, an old werewolf, stuck as an animal for the rest of his life, is given the choice to turn back into a man, but throws it away in order to save a young child. This was a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed it as well.
"The White Wolf", by Leigh Ann Hussey, is the story of a young boy, Kagwai, who wants nothing more than to earn an animal totem and learn the ability to change shape...that is, until he spends a few nights away from his village. He meets his grandfather, who has become totally obsessed with the change and spends most of his time in the shape of a wolf, and learns that shapeshifting can have its downsides. But in the end, when the fate of his entire village hangs in the balance, will Kagwai decide to embrace his destiny and his animal totem? This story was okay, but I didn't think it was great.
In "Not all Wolves" by Harry Turtledove, a thirteen-year-old werewolf tired of persecution finds solitude in a Jewish ghetto, living with a man who has been persecuted just as many times as he has. This story was also okay, but not great.
"Wolfskin", by Mary K. Whittington, is a futuristic werewolf story about a young boy named Gwehr, who has finally been admitted to the Hall of Shapeshifting! In this building, one can put on the "skin" of a creature (kraken, dragon, vampire, etc.) and, for a time, be transported into a virtual world where one IS that creature. Gwehr has been waiting forever for this day, but unfortunately the only creature left is a werewolf. But, once he's tried it, Gwehr decides that he loves roaming as a wolf, and he secretly takes the skin home with him. He slips it back on in his room, not expecting himself to actually change...but he does. He enters the enchanted world of the werewolf, and decides that he will never turn back into a boy...but when the sun rises, the magic fades, and in the end Gwehr has no choice but to part with the skin. I really enjoyed this story.
"Night Calls", by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel, is the story of a young girl whose village is being plagued by bloodthirsty werewolves. She longs to go out and fight them with her father, but, unfortunately, she's expected to stay home with her mother while her older brothers fight. Soon, all the werewolves are killed except one. But she never expected that werewolf would be...her brother. I didn't like this story that much.
"Wolf from the Door", by Elizabeth Scarborough, is the humorous story of a young girl, Lucy Garou, conducting a study on wolves. The only problem is--in the term paper she's trying to complete, Life Cycle of the Wolf, she's completely personified all the wolves she studied. And, as her professor reminds her, this is a scientific class, not a creative writing one. Basically, he's given her an F, and she isn't too happy, no matter how much Professor Forrest thinks she might deserve it. Because Lucy Garou has a good reason for personifying the wolves--she's one of them! And it's not wise to draw the wrath of a werewolf...we're left wondering what unhappy fate Professor Forrest will meet. This was a very funny story that left me hanging.
In "Monster Mash", by Sherwood Smith, a girl named Cat is a drummer in a school rock band called The Nerds...when she isn't running free in the shape of a wolf. But one night, a big concert coincides with the full moon. Good thing it's Halloween, because Cat has a plan. She'll pretend to be dressed in a costume the whole time! Can she be clever and resourceful enough to pull this off, or will the night end in disaster? This story was okay.
"The Passing of the Pack", by Bruce Coville, was the story of a young boy who's always had a strange connection with wolves. They seem to be there watching him whenever he turns around. And one day, when he is prosecuted and thrown in jail along with his friend, Wandis, the wolves come to rescue him, and take him to his mysterious father, who just happens to be a werewolf! And his father wants to pass the responsibility of leader of the wolf pack on to him! Will he accept his destiny, or will he remain human forever? This was an excellent story.
In "Flesh and Blood", by Marguerite W. Davol, Sally's spending her whole summer in a boring European village called Krev. But things start to get exciting when she discovers a chest full of clothes...along with a mysterious furry belt that seems to fit her just right. But when she tries the clothes on, she experiences an intense bloodlust and a painful change from a human to something in between human and wolf. The problem is that she can't seem to get the clothes off! Is she doomed to life as a bloody monster forever? This story was okay.
In "Green Messiah", by Jane Yolen, the ultimate science experiment is attempted as a girl is transformed into a wolf in order to gain important data that she couldn't have otherwise. But, once experiencing the wonderful change, she decides to throw her responsibilities to the wind and run free as a wolf forever. I loved this story!
"The Wolf's Flock", by Susan Shwartz, is the story of a young werewolf who wants to rid himself of his curse forever. He embarks on an incredibly long journey, accompanied by a group of children who are heading for the same place that he is. He grows to feel at home among them, and when their lives are threatened, he must reveal his secret in order to save them. I liked this story.
In "Met by Moonlight", by Anne E. Crompton, teenager Len wanders off on his snowmobile and gets lost in the snow. He meets a strange girl, who asks him about his life, and in turn tells him about hers. Len has come to the conclusion that she's crazy, babbling on and on about wolves, hunting, and blood...until she saves him from an angry wolf...by transforming into one herself! I didn't really enjoy this story.
"A Winter's Night", by Esther M. Friesner, is the tale of a lone Gypsy, whose companions were killed by Nazis, hiding out alone in a cemetery. At least, he thinks he's alone...until he finds a mysterious boy with a big secret...I did not like this story at all. It was very confusing and hard to understand. However, I have read Esther Friesner's book, Nobody's Princess, and I enjoyed that a great deal.
The final story in this book was "One Chance" by Charles de Lint. It is the story of a girl, Susanna, and her friend Billy. They are both unpopular at school, and they hate their lives. But Billy thinks he knows a way to get away from all this...using a bronze wolf figurine, he summons a mysterious wolf that beckons them to follow it to a better world. Billy gladly agrees, but Susanna pulls away at the last second, knowing she's doing the right thing, but feeling great pain inside to see Billy frolicking away with the wolf to a magical world. She knows that she'll never see him again, that this was her one chance...and now it was gone. This was a bittersweet story, and a good end to the book.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
In "The Werewolf's Gift", by Ru Emerson, an old werewolf, stuck as an animal for the rest of his life, is given the choice to turn back into a man, but throws it away in order to save a young child. This was a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed it as well.
"The White Wolf", by Leigh Ann Hussey, is the story of a young boy, Kagwai, who wants nothing more than to earn an animal totem and learn the ability to change shape...that is, until he spends a few nights away from his village. He meets his grandfather, who has become totally obsessed with the change and spends most of his time in the shape of a wolf, and learns that shapeshifting can have its downsides. But in the end, when the fate of his entire village hangs in the balance, will Kagwai decide to embrace his destiny and his animal totem? This story was okay, but I didn't think it was great.
In "Not all Wolves" by Harry Turtledove, a thirteen-year-old werewolf tired of persecution finds solitude in a Jewish ghetto, living with a man who has been persecuted just as many times as he has. This story was also okay, but not great.
"Wolfskin", by Mary K. Whittington, is a futuristic werewolf story about a young boy named Gwehr, who has finally been admitted to the Hall of Shapeshifting! In this building, one can put on the "skin" of a creature (kraken, dragon, vampire, etc.) and, for a time, be transported into a virtual world where one IS that creature. Gwehr has been waiting forever for this day, but unfortunately the only creature left is a werewolf. But, once he's tried it, Gwehr decides that he loves roaming as a wolf, and he secretly takes the skin home with him. He slips it back on in his room, not expecting himself to actually change...but he does. He enters the enchanted world of the werewolf, and decides that he will never turn back into a boy...but when the sun rises, the magic fades, and in the end Gwehr has no choice but to part with the skin. I really enjoyed this story.
"Night Calls", by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel, is the story of a young girl whose village is being plagued by bloodthirsty werewolves. She longs to go out and fight them with her father, but, unfortunately, she's expected to stay home with her mother while her older brothers fight. Soon, all the werewolves are killed except one. But she never expected that werewolf would be...her brother. I didn't like this story that much.
"Wolf from the Door", by Elizabeth Scarborough, is the humorous story of a young girl, Lucy Garou, conducting a study on wolves. The only problem is--in the term paper she's trying to complete, Life Cycle of the Wolf, she's completely personified all the wolves she studied. And, as her professor reminds her, this is a scientific class, not a creative writing one. Basically, he's given her an F, and she isn't too happy, no matter how much Professor Forrest thinks she might deserve it. Because Lucy Garou has a good reason for personifying the wolves--she's one of them! And it's not wise to draw the wrath of a werewolf...we're left wondering what unhappy fate Professor Forrest will meet. This was a very funny story that left me hanging.
In "Monster Mash", by Sherwood Smith, a girl named Cat is a drummer in a school rock band called The Nerds...when she isn't running free in the shape of a wolf. But one night, a big concert coincides with the full moon. Good thing it's Halloween, because Cat has a plan. She'll pretend to be dressed in a costume the whole time! Can she be clever and resourceful enough to pull this off, or will the night end in disaster? This story was okay.
"The Passing of the Pack", by Bruce Coville, was the story of a young boy who's always had a strange connection with wolves. They seem to be there watching him whenever he turns around. And one day, when he is prosecuted and thrown in jail along with his friend, Wandis, the wolves come to rescue him, and take him to his mysterious father, who just happens to be a werewolf! And his father wants to pass the responsibility of leader of the wolf pack on to him! Will he accept his destiny, or will he remain human forever? This was an excellent story.
In "Flesh and Blood", by Marguerite W. Davol, Sally's spending her whole summer in a boring European village called Krev. But things start to get exciting when she discovers a chest full of clothes...along with a mysterious furry belt that seems to fit her just right. But when she tries the clothes on, she experiences an intense bloodlust and a painful change from a human to something in between human and wolf. The problem is that she can't seem to get the clothes off! Is she doomed to life as a bloody monster forever? This story was okay.
In "Green Messiah", by Jane Yolen, the ultimate science experiment is attempted as a girl is transformed into a wolf in order to gain important data that she couldn't have otherwise. But, once experiencing the wonderful change, she decides to throw her responsibilities to the wind and run free as a wolf forever. I loved this story!
"The Wolf's Flock", by Susan Shwartz, is the story of a young werewolf who wants to rid himself of his curse forever. He embarks on an incredibly long journey, accompanied by a group of children who are heading for the same place that he is. He grows to feel at home among them, and when their lives are threatened, he must reveal his secret in order to save them. I liked this story.
In "Met by Moonlight", by Anne E. Crompton, teenager Len wanders off on his snowmobile and gets lost in the snow. He meets a strange girl, who asks him about his life, and in turn tells him about hers. Len has come to the conclusion that she's crazy, babbling on and on about wolves, hunting, and blood...until she saves him from an angry wolf...by transforming into one herself! I didn't really enjoy this story.
"A Winter's Night", by Esther M. Friesner, is the tale of a lone Gypsy, whose companions were killed by Nazis, hiding out alone in a cemetery. At least, he thinks he's alone...until he finds a mysterious boy with a big secret...I did not like this story at all. It was very confusing and hard to understand. However, I have read Esther Friesner's book, Nobody's Princess, and I enjoyed that a great deal.
The final story in this book was "One Chance" by Charles de Lint. It is the story of a girl, Susanna, and her friend Billy. They are both unpopular at school, and they hate their lives. But Billy thinks he knows a way to get away from all this...using a bronze wolf figurine, he summons a mysterious wolf that beckons them to follow it to a better world. Billy gladly agrees, but Susanna pulls away at the last second, knowing she's doing the right thing, but feeling great pain inside to see Billy frolicking away with the wolf to a magical world. She knows that she'll never see him again, that this was her one chance...and now it was gone. This was a bittersweet story, and a good end to the book.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Saving the World and other Extreme Sports (book review)
Saving the World and other Extreme Sports, by James Patterson, is the third installment in the Maximum Ride series. Max and her friends, Fang, Iggy, the Gasman (or Gazzy), Nudge, and Angel, are six kids who have escaped from a horrible laboratory called the School. Bird DNA was grafted into their bodies when they were infants, so now they have wings and can fly. Max and the "flock" were happy to sit back and relax after their escape, but they soon found out that the School was in league with an organization called Itex, who planned to wipe out almost everyone on Earth and create a new, better "super-race". As it turned out, Max and her friends were the only ones who could stop them.
Now Max and her friends have been captured, and are back at the horrible School once again. And it turns out one of them just might be a traitor. But who? Have Max and her friends finally met their end?
I thought this book was really good. It was action-packed, and the plot was intricately developed. There were a ton of cliffhangers, and it kept me guessing at every turn.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Sci-Fi Experience.
Now Max and her friends have been captured, and are back at the horrible School once again. And it turns out one of them just might be a traitor. But who? Have Max and her friends finally met their end?
I thought this book was really good. It was action-packed, and the plot was intricately developed. There were a ton of cliffhangers, and it kept me guessing at every turn.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Sci-Fi Experience.
Friday, February 06, 2009
A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (book review)
In A Bottle in the Gaza Sea, by Valerie Zenatti, 17-year-old Tal Levine, who lives in Israel, decides to ask her brother to throw a bottle into the Gaza Sea, with a message inside of it. She expects a Palestinian girl about her age to discover it. What she doesn't expect is Gazaman, a witty twenty-year-old boy who mocks Tal at first, but gradually begins to befriend her. They begin exchanging emails, learning not only about each other but also a great deal about themselves.
This was a very moving book. I was sad when it was over. I learned a lot about the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians while reading it, too. As it says on the jacket of the book, this was "a modern-day Romeo-and-Juliet tale for the third millennium."
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
This was a very moving book. I was sad when it was over. I learned a lot about the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians while reading it, too. As it says on the jacket of the book, this was "a modern-day Romeo-and-Juliet tale for the third millennium."
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
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