Wow. A story ripped right out of our current headlines. I love the character of Karan. His terror and lack of ability was so realistic in contrast to Wow. A story ripped right out of our current headlines. I love the character of Karan. His terror and lack of ability was so realistic in contrast to some books where students seem to have some "natural" ability at things they have never tried before. I liked Darius too, and strangely really liked the character of Dane.
Great boy book and appropriate for both middle and high school. Short chapters and action-packed makes this a good reluctant reader choice too....more
Wow, what a cliff-hanger ending. I was wondering through the whole book what the blurb on the front cover, "The fight for freedom will cost her everytWow, what a cliff-hanger ending. I was wondering through the whole book what the blurb on the front cover, "The fight for freedom will cost her everything" meant. The ending, just wow. Now I really need the last book in this trilogy. Again, other than the premise, I'm not sure what would keep this out of middle school. I guess since the first is HS only, then this should be too....more
I would give this one a little more than a 3, maybe a 3.25? I'm not sure about this one, it has a dark twist and some scenes belong more at high schooI would give this one a little more than a 3, maybe a 3.25? I'm not sure about this one, it has a dark twist and some scenes belong more at high school but overall it feels more of a middle school book. Devon and the town are definitely creepy, but not creepy enough for most of my students who like horror....more
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the free giveaway book to review.
This will take awhile to read I think. I don't normally read horror so I may pick it upThank you to Penguin Teen for the free giveaway book to review.
This will take awhile to read I think. I don't normally read horror so I may pick it up, read only a few pages and have to put down again. I am happy I will get to add it to my library as I have many, many students who love horror.
This was tense but had no gory parts, which was good for me. The ending certainly left open the possibility of a sequel and yet was a complete story all its own. This is definitely a good addition to our scary/horror genre in the library.
I rated it a 3, but it was 3 - 3.5, I just had some lingering questions about Kana's character and what was happening to him at the very end, it didn't seem to make sense to me. I don't want to mention here because of spoilers. Still, a solid read, just not my genre. I'll have to be more careful of entering giveaways in the future....more
An interesting book, a little Hunger Games-ish, a little Hand Maiden's Tale-ish. However, not violent but very cerebral. I enjoyed it quite a bit. A qAn interesting book, a little Hunger Games-ish, a little Hand Maiden's Tale-ish. However, not violent but very cerebral. I enjoyed it quite a bit. A quick read where Sula's tale is in free verse and the boy's, Five for most of the book, is told in prose. Recommend for high school students....more
I guess I'm just not that into poetry. I thought I would like this, and it is a decent read but it just didn't grab me. Okay for high school students.I guess I'm just not that into poetry. I thought I would like this, and it is a decent read but it just didn't grab me. Okay for high school students....more
The book I'm reading was given to me by the publisher, Abdo Publishing, and is a print version with ISBN #978-1-62403-552-4. I am reading it for the sThe book I'm reading was given to me by the publisher, Abdo Publishing, and is a print version with ISBN #978-1-62403-552-4. I am reading it for the secondary reviewed book list committee for my district.
So far, pretty boring and not all that informative. The author seems to start a topic and before it is fully realized, the chapter is done. There are information boxes to the side of the narrative that don't go with what the reader is reading. For instance, in the part discussing the Minuet, there is a callous box discussing the Cambodian Court Dancing. Strange.
Overall, somewhat basic and lackluster book. ...more
This was a decent read, probably more interesting if you grew up in North Denver and knew some of the places discussed in the book. It reads like seveThis was a decent read, probably more interesting if you grew up in North Denver and knew some of the places discussed in the book. It reads like several newspaper articles put together, which isn't surprising as the author is a newspaper man.
What I liked was the interesting bits about the family life, but there wasn't enough of that. What I didn't like was that it would go somewhat back and forth in time and while some details were included like specific addresses, others that seemed important were left out.
This one was very sweet and the first "fat girl" book that seemed authentic to me. Confident and bold sometimes, insecure and wavering at others. WillThis one was very sweet and the first "fat girl" book that seemed authentic to me. Confident and bold sometimes, insecure and wavering at others. Willowdean is believable. I loved the friendship she has with Ellen. I would have liked a little more resolution with Mitch, but overall liked this book very much. I think possible high school only because of all the sex talk, but might be persuaded otherwise. Will need a 2nd read on this from another committee member....more
This was a super good book about an older man who has lost his wife and been forced into early retirement from his job. CaReading for adult book club.
This was a super good book about an older man who has lost his wife and been forced into early retirement from his job. Can't really say too much else without giving away the story but it truly is wonderful. I love Ove.
October challenge 2014 - Read a selection from a local book club (our adult book club)....more
Great, fast read. Loved Maddy and Olly. I'm not sure what to say without giving it away. An interesting book that I very much enjoyed reading. One sitGreat, fast read. Loved Maddy and Olly. I'm not sure what to say without giving it away. An interesting book that I very much enjoyed reading. One situation that keeps it squarely in high school. Blue Spruce nominee 2018....more
This book is extremely difficult to read. I kept wanting to turn away but couldn't put it down. The most horrible things happen to this poo4.5/5 stars
This book is extremely difficult to read. I kept wanting to turn away but couldn't put it down. The most horrible things happen to this poor girl. It was good in tone and characters and writing. Secrets get revealed a little at a time. Definitely a high school only book. Makes you think about humanity, what we do to each other and about where "religion" comes from. I would have liked a little more about why the parents followed the Prophet in the first place, but overall, an excellent but chilling read....more
I enjoyed this very much. This is J. K. Rowling's commencement speech to Harvard. Quite good. I would put it up there with the Last Lecture, but shortI enjoyed this very much. This is J. K. Rowling's commencement speech to Harvard. Quite good. I would put it up there with the Last Lecture, but shorter and less intense....more
Wow. A powerful and moving story of what the women went through in occupied France during WW II. Not only what they endured but what they did to try tWow. A powerful and moving story of what the women went through in occupied France during WW II. Not only what they endured but what they did to try to stop the atrocities. Excellent read that I highly recommend. ...more
Alexa and Damien are facing more obsticles to their love and the peace they so want for the kingdom of Antion. They are faced with sorcerers they haveAlexa and Damien are facing more obsticles to their love and the peace they so want for the kingdom of Antion. They are faced with sorcerers they have never encountered before and can't be sensed by the other sorcerers. The cliff-hanging ending is spectacular and I'm excited to read the conclusion to this exciting trilogy.
No sex on page and sword killing and "running through" really the only violence so suitable for middle and high school....more
Cute story, I would give it 3.5 stars really. Chick lit light almost, and a story told many times in many ways, but still cute. Appropriate for middleCute story, I would give it 3.5 stars really. Chick lit light almost, and a story told many times in many ways, but still cute. Appropriate for middle and high school, although probably only 9th maybe10th grade girls. Won't appeal to boys....more
While this is a decent read and a good story, I thought the sex scenes were handled just a little too casually. Especially the one in the mountains. IWhile this is a decent read and a good story, I thought the sex scenes were handled just a little too casually. Especially the one in the mountains. I would give this a 3.5 star if I could. High school students only for this one....more
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