Fall 2002 Authors and Titles

 Midnight is back and there’s nothing we can do.  So many years after the original Midnight was burnt down, someone has rebuilt it and now vampires are selling humans like cattle, but as slaves, behind closed doors. 

 Turquoise, and her rival, Ravyn, have been hired to kill the all-powerful vampires Jeshickah.  In order to do so they must pose as slaves and become sold into Midnight by an old vampire friend of Turquoise’s, Nathaniel, a former Midnight mercenary, sells them to the owner of Midnight, Jaguar. 

 It wasn’t until Turquoise and Ravyn entered the premises of Midnight that Turquoise begins to remember, and even dreams, how stupid and ignorant she once was living the life of Catherine, her past self. 

 At Midnight, it comes to Turquoise’s surprise that her ex-slave owner, Lord Daryl, is living in Midnight and is trying to reclaim her constantly.  He also brings back memories of his cruelty and beatings, and the reason why she changed her name. 

 When her new owner, Jaguar, becomes close to her she feels more at home in Midnight and earns his trust to wander around Midnight any time.  However, inside her head she fights confusion to keep focus on the point, to kill Jeshickah, and she fears Jaguar may get in the way. 

Turquoise struggles to keep Jaguar out of her mind and from finding her true identity, using the name Audra inside Midnight walls, and killing Jeshickah.  Only time can tell. 

 This book has a lot of twisting, turning paths.  Although the beginning can be confusing, once you read further on it becomes more vivid.  I have talked with several people who stopped reading it in the beginning, but don’t give up. 

 The level of writing in this book was a little intellectual, a lot of elaborate words are used, so I’d suggest readers from the age of 14 and up.  I believe that this age group would most likely be able to apply their thinking thoroughly, to match the meaning of its contents. 

 I am very glad that I got to review this book because Amelia Atwater-Rhodes just happens to be my favorite author.  She can really relate to a  young adult audience.  Her first book was published when she was thirteen, In the Forest of the Night. 

 If you are interested go to your local library and look for her other books In the Forest of the Night, Demon in My View, and Shattered Mirror.  Happy Reading. 

 ~Trevor Allen, 10^th Grade, Bristol High School, Bristolville, OH

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Hate.  Fear.  Brutality.  Injustice.  Separation.  Annihilation.  This is what Vahan Kenderian’s life consisted of at the young age of twelve.  Life hadn’t always consisted these things tough; before 1915 Vahan lived a life of luxury and prestige in Turkey.  Being on of six children of a successful and wealthy Armenian, Vahan’s life was very comfortable, always having everything he needed and desired.  Never had the thought crossed his mind that all of these precious things could be stripped from him in a matter of just a few short and simple moments.  But Vahan’s world was turned upside down due to an intense hatred possessed by the Turks for the Armenians.  The hatred sprang from a difference in beliefs.  The Turks were Muhammadans, Islamic; whereas, the Armenians are Christians. 

 His family is torn apart.  First his father is taken away, and the Kenderians are left to wonder what has happened, or what will happen to their father/husband.  Deep down they know what has become of him, though they don’t want to believe it.  Later, Turkish soldiers return to their home, and this time they are there for the two oldest brothers, Diran and Tavel.  In a matter of a few short moments, shots ring, and they too have become victims of the Turkish wrath.  And as the sequence of events continues, Vahan’s family slowly deteriorates.  He witnesses death in so many aspects, both literally and figuratively.  He sees death and likewise experiences in spiritually.  He manages to escape along with his brother Sisak, but they lose each other in an attempt to find freedom.  Along his journey to survival, Vahan experiences so many things that only his eyes could believe.  In the end, a mass genocide of the Armenians had taken place.  Vahan had to learn to take his father’s words to heart and be strong like steel.   

Forgotten Fire is an excellent non-fiction novel.  I would recommend it to everyone and encourage them to read it.  This book is most appropriate for students in high school and beyond.  It significantly reminded me of Night by Elie Weisel.  Night is about the mass annihilation of the Jews, so it compares to the mass genocide of the Armenians, though it is on a smaller scale.  Like Elie in Night,Vahan loses hope and faith.  He questions God and wonders why he believes in someone that would allow this to happen.  If you enjoyed Night, I would definitely encourage you to read Forgotten Fire.  You’ll learn of an event in history that is seldom discussed but had a massive effect on the lives of thousands.  Adam Bagdasarian tells the unforgettable tale of an important part of his family’s history. 

 ~Kandis Cutlip, 12^th grade, Howland High School, Howland, OH

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The book takes place in the year 1924, in Babbs Switch, Oklaholma.  Ruthie is chosen as soloist for her school’s Christmas Tree Celebration.  Suddenly Ruthie’s parents won’t allow her to sing the solo because of Daphne, her 16-year-old sister, who deals with a mental illness and still carries around her one-armed rag doll.  Daphne has a love of soft things and that now has the family in big trouble.  Ruthie is horrified at having to give up her solo, she wonders why she has to have such a “daffy sister.”  Finally the Christmas Tree Celebration arrives, along with a present from Elden, the most disgusting boy in school district 42—but is he really?  During the celebration in the icy blizzard a tragic event occurs that leads Ruthie to discover hoe much her sister really means to her.  The book is based on a true story that made national headlines. 

This book is an easy read, probably on a fifth grade reading level.  The characters are spunky and very believable.  This book has a wonderful flow with not too much description as to bore the reader, but not too little.  You can see the whole book taking place in your mind.  I think the book has a wonderful meaning and a lot of heart. 

 ~Jenny Rodway, 8^th Grader, Boardman Middle School, Boardman, OH

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When Teri gets into high school she finds a few turns in the path of life she thought she would take.  A house fire turns her whole family into a crazy mode.  Her sister, Samantha, turns into a rebel.  Her mom is devastated and goes almost insane; her brother, Andrew, sent to live with his father; and Teri is finally getting noticed in school.  But, when she realizes who her one and only ture friend is, she has it much better off. 

I really liked this book.  I couldn’t put it down (I read it in one night).  I like the plot a lot.  When it all comes down to it, her one true friend, Wesley, is still by her side.  I recommend this book for seventh graders, or any one looking for a good book.  This book also reminds me of A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt, because of how the main character is so likeable and down to earth.  I just really recommend people to read this book!  I really enjoyed it! 

 ~ Tara McFalls, 10^th Grader, Bristol High School , Bristolville , OH

Remembrance is a book about how World War I affects the lives of five teenagers threatened by the harms of war. The story takes place in a small village in Scotland in the summer of 1915. The main characters in the story are Charlotte Armstrong-Barnes, her brother Francis Armstrong-Barnes, Maggie Dundas, her twin brother John Malcolm Dundas and their younger brother Alex Dundas. Charlotte and her brother are of the upper class of their society and the Dundas children are of the working class and work in their father’s shop. John Malcolm has feelings for Charlotte but is drafted for the war, and excited to fight for his country. Charlotte wants to be involved with the war and goes to get her nursing certificate. Maggie also wants to be involved and helps in the factory making war products. Francis is opposed to the war and only sees the tragedy in it. But finally after a while feels he needs to be involved in the fighting. Alex is not yet old enough to join but is determined to eventually join the war.

I believe that the book is believable because it is about historical events. I enjoyed all the characters’ attitudes and problems they faced in the story. This is a good book because I felt like I could relate to the problems that were happening. I think high school students would enjoy the book because it is more about teenagers their age and the troubles they face during adolescence.

~ Ashley Pustay, 11^th grader, Liberty High School, Liberty, OH

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Martyn Pig (Martyn with a "Y", Pig with an "I" and one "G", as is often said in the book) is just a carefree motherless child who lives at home with his alcoholic of a dad. When Martyn accidentally kills his dad after he had thrown a temper tantrum over watching his favorite TV show, Inspector Morse, Martyn oddly enough stays calm. He realizes that if he calls the police about the incident, he won’t be in trouble but he’ll have to go live with his Fascist Aunt Jean. Faced with that option, or just disposing of the body and living on his own, he does just that. With his partner Alex, who Martyn has a crush on that Alex doesn’t know about, they dispose of the body. With plenty of time on their hands because they are on Christmas break, they "don’t think, just do." Yet before the disposal, things just couldn’t get any better when he receives a notice in the mail that his father had inherited £60,000. With one of the most shocking and surprising weeks ever printed on paper, the situation takes a deep dive into a dark sea that couldn’t be any good if it lay on top of a gold mine. Martyn’s mainstream conscience becomes your own when you read Martyn Pig. Twisted, with a touch of black humor, and deep thoughts as well as very detailed descriptions and analogies ought to inspire a director to make a movie out of the book. 

Kevin Brooks is a new novelist, and he will gain the recognition he deserves due to Martyn Pig. It is a fabulous book with great stream of conscience writing. Read this book. Whether you’re in 5^th grade or in high school, this book will keep you locked to the pages from start to finish. With Martyn’s carefree mind, one would dream to be as worry-free as he is, only not in such a quagmire as was Martyn. If you’re considering reading this book, "ask yourself ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ and just do it." Just do it.

~ Hanna Kassis, 11^th grader, Girard High School, Girard, OH

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I really loved this book. Quit It is a book about a 12-year-old girl named Carrie who has just been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. All of the kids in her class at school laugh and make fun of her; the teachers treat her like she isn’t there, and her own parents pretend the disease isn’t there. The book is about how she deals with fighting the tics, and how the only people who understand her are he best friend Clyde, and her sister, Clementine.

Even though the characters were fictional, the book was extremely realistic. It helped me to actually feel what a person with the disorder feels. The book also describes how a family deals with it and how others react.

They were almost always negative reactions, but that’s what made it so good. She dealt with it. I think Quit It would be a good book for a person with Tourette Syndrome to read. I think it would encourage them to have more confidence. I would say this book is best read by middle school students, mainly because that is the age group of the characters, and the vocabulary suits it fine.

Quit It reminds me of a book I once read about a girl with leukemia. I think Quit It was both entertaining and educational.

~ Amber Arquilla, 9^th grade, Chaney High School, Youngstown, OH

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A Foreign Field is a story of two young adults who fall in love during World War II.  The boy, Stephen, is from England and lies about his age in order to be accepted into the RAF during World War II.  The girl, Ellen, lives in Canada where Stephen's training is taking place.  Stephen and Ellen become best friends, and eventually Stephen wants more.  The night before he leaves for Europe, he proposes to Ellen.  She refuses but promises to write.  They write back and forth over the course of a year, and just as Ellen is warming up to the idea of marriage, Stephen is killed.  

Ellen and Stephen seem to be soul mates.  They have tings in common; such as they both want to be teachers, which helped to make the story even more realistic.  This is a very good book to read, especially if you like surprise endings.  The style of the book keeps you interested.  Some chapters are written as normal prose, and some are iin the form of letters.  This helps you to se what both Ellen and Stephen are feeling. The ending of this book brought me to tears, but the epilogues put a smile back on my face.  Chan did a nice job of showing that Stephen was still a part of Ellen's life, even fifty years after his death.   I would recommend this book for readers from junior high all the way to high school.  

~Jessica Brinker, 11th Grader, Girard High School, Girard, OH

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Marika, a fascinating first novel by Andrea Cheng, is the story of a young Jewish girl growing up in Hungary during World War II.  This enlightening tale depicts her life from age 6 to age 17.  Marika, as family and friends call her, believes that she will not be faced with the war at any point in her life.  When she is young, she is spoiled, ignorant and self-centered because she is used to the pampered life that her wealthy parents provide for her.  Her biggest concerns at this time are the separations of her parents, and reading and writing, which she has quite a talent for.  However, as she grows older, Marika begins to realize that the war is intruding more on her life than she had ever thought possible.  For the first time ever, she is confronted with racism, prejudice, and segregation, and as the Nazis begin to take over her country, the problems only become worse.  Marika must learn to break away from her naivety in order to grow and mature to save herself from the harrowing consequences that the war presents. 

This is a story that every young person can relate to because the characters are portrayed very realistically with traits that separate them from one another.  This tale offers great insight into the culture and everyday life of a wealthy Hungarian family during World War II; however, it deals more with their lifestyle than with what is going on with the rest of the world or the country.  The characters and language are simple yet eloquent, which is perfect for children around middle school age.  It explains the Holocaust in a very concise manner which is also conducive to young readers.  And although I felt that the climax of the story came a bit too late, I felt that it was considerably worth the wait.  At times in the story, especially the end, I wished that the author had concentrated on describing the scenery more vividly so that I could picture the sotry as it was happening, but this was only a minor flaw and did not deter me much from the main gist of the story. 

Overall, I believe that this was a decent novel and I would recommend it because it was interesting and kept me immersed in it the whole way through.  It dealt with real historical issues and they were clearly presented so that younger children could understand them with ease.  It also dealt with a transformation and maturation of the heroine which I thought added infinite richness to the novel. 

~Bronwyn Salo, 12^th Grader, Howland High School , Howland , OH

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Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney is a wild non-stop journey through the life of Anaxandra, the main character. Anaxandra is a young Greek girl living on a small island in the Aegean Sea. Caroline B. Cooney’s heart-wrenching story takes the reader through the trials and troubles Anazandra faces as she is captured by pirates at a young age and changes identities several times to survive as she grows up. The quality of this book is of the sane high caliber that I have come to expect from Caroline B. Cooney. I have read many of her books and this one has continued her winning streak in my mind. She expresses the characters in such an amazing manner that I want to be friends with Anaxandra, and I want to protect her from the bad characters who worked against her.  The realistic factor is also high because I can picture this story occurring in ancient -Greece. I believe this book is a great read for people in grades 7-12. I think this because the plot isn’t too hard to understand, but the vocabulary is very high level. Several times while I was reading I had to search through a dictionary for words I wasn’t sure about. Although Goddess Of Yesterday is now my favorite book by Caroline B. Cooney, I wasn’t very enthusiastic at first. The beginning of the book was a little slow, bit once you really get into it you’ll definitely be hooked.  

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Jason doesn't care for Brad, and he suspects that Brad invites him to his house only because their mothers are friends. A sensitive boy who doesn't say much, Jason usually keeps his feelings to himself until one day in the cafeteria line at school he lets loose with a punch that floors the school bully, Bobo Kelton, who had pushed him from behind. His rage surprises him and ends up marking him for suspicion when Alicia is found murdered just minutes after Jason had left her working a jigsaw puzzle at her house.

A short investigation by the police results in Jason's being their primary suspect in the case. So eager are they to wrap up the investigation that they hire Trent, an interrogator known for his ability to extract confessions even from the most hardened suspects. When Trent and Jason go head-to-head in a windowless, sweltering room on a hot summer afternoon, the interchange is reminiscent of the dialogue between Adam Farmer and his inquisitor Brint in I Am the Cheese. Vulnerable child and relentless adult, the careless exploitation of the younger by the older echoes the theme in so many of Cormier's novels. To maintain his reputation and impress powerful politicians, Trent wants Jason's confession at any cost, even though he knows in his heart that the boy is innocent.  

Innocence versus adult power and decadence--another recurring theme in Cormier's work, whether it's Henry Cassavant and the grocer in Tunes for Bears to Dance to, Ben Marchand and his father in After the First Death, Adam Farmer and Brint in I Am the Cheese, or Jerry Renault and Brother Leon in The Chocolate War. Cormier cannot let go of this motif in his writing. Like all of Cormier's novels, The Rag and Bone Shop is compelling, with its shifting perspective, well-drawn characters, and interior monologue. The reader can't help but be engaged. But it seems that Cormier still has trouble with his female characters, as the young lawyer Sarah Downes appears only on the fringes of the story to arouse Trent's romantic interest. Though she suspects Jason's innocence from the beginning (a typically female response?), she cannot sway Trent's resolve, and her only purpose seems to be to show Trent's vulnerability.

The ending of the novel is vintage Cormier, but readers may wish there were more to the story. Perhaps that is because they know there won't be any more.

—Virginia Monseau, Youngstown State University

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You Remind Me of You is a compelling novel which enlightens the reader to the brutal truth about anorexia.  Eireann Corrigan creates this poetry memoir through her own experiences.  She is able to mold vivid pictures of her body through self-destructive times but more importantly, Corrigan twins a series of thoughts about anorexia into feelings of undying compassion for a young girl trying to fight a terrible illness.  

Although the focus of this memoir is about anorexia, You Remind Me of You also shows the reader how relationships with others can be beneficial but also destructive.  The constant message Corrigan offers the reader:  the power of growing is what fuels the living.  

This poetry memoir would most likely be appropriate for more mature senior high readers.  The content is graphic, deep and challenging, yet it's intriguing to find meaning to Corrigan's thoughts and symbolism.  You Remind Me of You should grace the shelves in every Honors English class because of its controversial and widely talked about topics in teen lives today and, not to mention, it also provides a unique style of writing and a good example of poetry that isn't dull, confusing, or outdated.  

 ~ Emily Sailor, 11th Grade, Wilmington Area High School

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This book is about a kid named Russell, who is bullied by a kid named Eddie.  One day when Russell was getting bullied by Eddie, he started to run from Eddie and ran so fast the did not know where he was going.  Finally, he tripped and when he looked up he was at a place he never saw before.  He went in to one of the shops on the street.  When he went in he saw an old man who asked him, “What do you want?”  Then Russell gave him the money he had.  Then the old man gave him a magic ring. 

 This book is not believable.  The characters are very interesting.  I think it is a good book because of the characters, the setting, the plot, and the outcome.  I think that kids in fourth and fifth grades will like this book. 

~ Steve Smolinsky, 6^th grade, St. Matthias School, Youngstown, OH

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Nita Callahan’s life is falling apart.  Her partnership with Kit, who is also her best friend, has separated.  Then as if things aren’t bad enough, Nita finds out her mother is sick and the only person that can help save her mother is the One that she’s devoted her entire life to fighting against.  Can she save her mother and reunite with Kit . . . or will she have to use the One’s help and give up her wizardry?

 This book, although full of fantasy, mixes with reality and the hope of a young girl who is overwhelmed by trying to deal with her mother’s sickness and doing the right thing while trying to save her mother’s life.  The characters were easy to understand and to compare real life with, but also had qualities to expand imaginations about fantasy and reality separately and combined.

 It’s a wonderful book for using your imagination, yet keeping your feet half way to the ground in the process.  The book is easy to get through.  I recommend it to at least 5^th graders, but it can be enjoyed, I think, throughout high school. 

 I cannot begin to compare this book with any others but with the series of Harry Potter.  Both are about friends, family and risking your life for the ones that you love. 

 ~Jen Kessner, 8^th grade

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Ian Daley faces the trials and tribulations of modern poverty. Living on a farm is rough, but when stray voltage plagues their dairy farm, Ian’s mother up and leaves them. His mother’s leaving results in his aunt, his mother’s twin, coming for his dad, Ian and his brother, Ray. Also his father becomes glum and his actions almost make the farm come down in ruins. Ian’s loneliness is heavy upon him as he tries to forgive his mother for leaving them behind.

My favorite character in this story is Ian. He is mentally strong and is very persistent to get through the farm’s dangers. He depends on friendship from his pet cat, "little guy," and Luna, his mother’s favorite cow.

I like this book a lot. It gives a sense of what farm life is like and how just a slight problem can make a family go crazy. But, however, the ending did not quench my desire. In this book loneliness becomes a great factor to someone’s life. The author makes it feel as if the emotions can be passed onto the reader. I would rate this book to an age group of about 13 and older. The language is a little profane.

~ Trevor Allen, 10^th grader, Bristol High School, Bristolville, OH

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Then comes Arturo Tozzi, an Italian boy from the mine who tries to befriend Nathan.  Nathan wants a friend and Arturo wants to be "a real American."  The two get along well until tragedy strikes.  Can Nathan help?  Can he save the Tozzi's?  Read the book to find out!

I think this book is amazing. It is full of action, adventure, good times and bad. I like this book because its portrayal of the times and the characters' feelings are very realistic. It also shows how prejudice is bad.  Even though this is fiction, the author does such a great job in his descriptions it could be true. This is a good book for fourth graders and up.

  ~Dakota Unruh, 6th Grade, Gifford Middle School, Vero Beach, Florida

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A young girl, Phano, is caught between her family and her duties as the Basilinna of ancient Athens.  All of her life she has been told that she was the daughter of an Athenian citizen.  Now her greatest enemy Phrynion has slithered his way into her past and is trying to tell Phano’s husband Theo and the rest of the city that her true mother was a slave and so is Phano. 

 Phano along with her mam, Theo, papa and friends fight with Phrynion for the truth.  They all fewar that if his words are true that Theo must un-do the marriage ties and Phano must leave Athens, never to return to a respectable life as a citizen again. 

 The book displays the characters very well and the reader really gets a good visual picture of the events happening.  The setting is portrayed as a beautiful prosperous city, rich in culture and wealth. 

 I felt that The Couresan’s Daughter is a good book for young adults and many adults would also enjoy this book.  It will pull you in until you cannot possibly put it down. 

 At first, Galloway’s book reminded me of another book I have just recently read, The Girl With a Pearl Earring.  Both stories dealt with a young adult trying to find out who they really were in this life.  The books had strong characters and were both well written. 

 I enjoyed reading The Courtesan’s Daughter because it taught me a little about the history of Athens along with how the citizens lived their lives and on what they based their beliefs.  The reader gets a really good idea of what the characters are thinking and how they will act.  It makes you feel like you are right there with them.  This is one of the things I feel is most important when writing, to somehow connect with the reader and make the stories become reality. 

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In its first few chapters, John Gantos’ Hole in My Life appears to be a tribute to On the Road:  an aspiring writer abandons all responsibility to carouse in the sex, drugs and adventure of the “beat generation.”  But Gantos’ memoir contains many contrasts to the novel his younger self emulates:  Gantos began his adventure in the 70s, nearly twenty years after the beat revolution was over and done with.  Unlike On the Road, in which Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty glorify the vagabond life, Gantos’ narrative warns of the consequences of breaking the law.  Hole in My Life tells the story of how the illusions of Gantos’ dream-eyed teenager nearly destroyed his future.  As a young man, Gantos lived a life most high schoolers only dream of:  his own apartment, a car and a job in a separate country from his parents.  What more could anyone want?

Much more, Gantos thought as he bitterly struggled to find purpose in his chaotic life.  Despite his enviable existence, Gantos worried that he “didn’t have anything worthwhile to write about.”  In pursit of material and cash to pay for college, Gantos agreed to sail a yacht smuggling hashish from the Virgin Islands to New York City.  This led to a prison sentence of up to six years, during which Gantos realized that he actually had plenty to write about—that his life had been fascinating, but he was just to impatient to notice. 

Gantos’ memoir is an excellent book for young adults, because his story is everyone’s story:  the tale of a young man who constantly seeks more, who is passionate for the dreams he creates for himself and whose wings melt when he flies too close to the sun. 

What distinguishes Hole in My Life from books of a similar nature is that Gantos tells of how his Icarus flew up out of the ocean and built new wings, how Gantos went to college and soon after became the award-winning author of over thirty children’s books, proving that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and an end to every road. 

~Lisa Huberman, 11^th grade, Boardman High School, Boardman, OH

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The book starts off at an island, and with the Ward family, Allie, the main character, her parents, and her siblings. The Ward family are islanders who have lived on the small island for years.

One of the wealthiest island residents passes away, leaving her estate to her son and his family. The man and his family decide to live in the island home because of the one daughter, Mary Scarlet’s condition. Melanie, Mary’s younger sister, wants to stay on the island forever and wants to meet new people, but her mother does not want her to speak to any island people.

Melanie escapes and soon finds Allie. Allie has heard rumors and is not quite sure what to think of the rich Melanie. Although there seem to be many reasons not to be friends with her, Allie gives her a try and the two become best friends forever.

Later in the book Mary’s condition turns into a baby that her mother doesn’t want, afraid it might spoil her reputation. Mary delivers and her mother has a revelation that it may not be as bad as she had imagined.

The end of the book brought a smile to my face, realizing that we can all change. This book would probably best suit junior high students.

~ Elizabeth Cramer, 8^th grader, Struthers Middle School, Struthers, OH

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Hollis Woods is an influential and powerful story about a young foster girl searching for the perfect family.  She finally finds one, but does not believe she is worthy.  This feeling of worthlessness causes her to eventually run away from the only family she truly felt she belonged to.  Hollis was abandoned when she was only 3 hours old and eventually was named after the park in which she was found.  She is known for her ability to cause mounds of trouble and also for the beautiful pictures sent to an elderly artist named Josie who is very forgetful.  Hollis and Josie develop a strong friendship.  Hollis, knowing that if Social Services finds out that Josie is losing her memory they will separate the two, runs away with Josie.  

This humorous yet compelling book will leave you feeling a restored sense of appreciation for your family.  This book is a very convincing and captivating story of compassion.  If you ever had a time when you felt you were not deserving enough for someone or something, this story will help you to reflect those feelings.  I would recommend this book to girls of the age 13 to 16.  I think this age group and gender would appreciate this book more.  It reminded me of the book/movie Annie.  

~ Allie Sailor, 9th Grade, Wilmington Area High School

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Told from the main character, Semirah’s point of view, the book tells how an airplane full of teenagers having just won a trip to the rain forest through an organization called Planet Savers crashes into the ocean. The only three survivors are Semirah (Semmy) and two others. One is Arnie, a sarcastic, chubby boy who always thinks he should come first. The other is Miranda (whom at first Semirah refers to as really cool girl) who takes charge and becomes an extremely valued friend of Semirah’s. Together, they manage to form a makeshift home on a nearby island. After Arnie disappears without a trace Miranda and Semmy venture farther in the forest only to discover a giant laboratory compound complete with a zoo full of genetic mutations. The two girls are already presumed dead from the plane crash, and they are instantly taken prisoner. They come face to face with Dr. Franklin, the owner of the private island and the head “scientist.” He tells them they are to be the first humans to become Tran genetic creatures, or a human-animal hybrid. A horrifying transformation ensues, while the girls struggle to keep hold of their wits and of themselves.

dr franklin’s island is a compelling story of self-survival against man and nature. Great depths of character shows through on the part of Semirah, Miranda and Arnie, while other characters tend to remain a bit shallow. The novel is based upon The Island of Dr. Moreau written by H.G Wells, and would be enjoyed by anyone interested in genetics or just looking for an exciting tale.

 ~Tabitha Barr, 12^th Grade, Bristol High School, Bristolville, OH

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Flood is about an eleven year old boy, Andy Flynn, who almost dies when a flood runs through his town and kills his mom, step dad, and many others.  Luckily the sheehogue, faries, pixies, sprites, or whatever you want to call them, save his life.  When they saved him though, they had to make sure that before they left him, Andy was in safe hands.  This book is about the adventures of the guardian fairies and Andy, who's trying to make his life right again.  

I thought this book was great.  It had humor, sorrow, adventure, and fantasy all mixed into one.  It was beautifully written and I eagerly await his next book.  

James Heneghan is an excellent writer who makes you feel like you're right there with Andy and his unseen, lifely friends.  Though this book may be fictional, Heneghan claims that the wind chimes you heard, after you tripped yesterday, might have come from the pranksters themselves.  This reader can vouch for Heneghan's claim.  

I think that nine to twelve year old kids would really like this book.  If you've ever read Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer, I think you would like it.  It deals with fairies and other such things and has a clever plot that was carefully thought out.  

~ Olivia Sailor, 7th Grade, Wilmington Area High School

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Changes through the life of Naomi Hull bring the book The Shakeress by Kimberley Heuston alive. My first impression of the book was that it was difficult to get into and start to like, but by the end, it was a fantastic read. Naomi Hull, a teenage girl during the 1820’s and 30’s, knew how to take her life into her own hands when she was left as an orphan with her two brothers, Ben and Eli, and her sister, Glory, when her parents and baby brother died in a horrible fire. She was taken in by her Aunt Thankful but disliked that lifestyle, so she worked to find an idea to find a better life. The Shakers were the answer; all of the Shakers seemed very kind-hearted and gave the Hull siblings all their hospitality.

The beginning of this book all led up to these events, but the decisions during the end that Naomi faced caught me off-guard.  I did not expect her to handle her life the way she did, which really gave Naomi an unpredictable personality. Her relationship with Joseph seemed so real and perfect.  Everything that happened seemed so realistic.  Naomi was a very strong and intelligent person; she followed her heart and her strong belief in God. Also, she had a great deal of courage when faced with rough times and difficult events.

The author did an awesome job with descriptions and painted a picture in my mind about what was going on.  The figurative language and dialogue was excellent. I really got into the mind of Naomi Hull and felt as if I was back in the 1800’s.  However, I feel there are events that I would like to know a little more about, and some of my questions were left unanswered.  I definitely would like to know a little more about the fire that killed her parents and brother and how Naomi dealt with the pain.  In the beginning, The Shakeress was very difficult to get into, but once I gave it a chance, the book was wonderful and educational. I learned a lot about life during the 1800’s and the way everyone lived long ago. It also taught me about the different religions that rose from this time period. The book definitely dealt a lot with Naomi’s faith and inner soul. She was a very independent person, which made the book extremely interesting. I think this book is based on about a fifth grade level and is an awesome read to become familiar with understanding the past.

 ~Jessica Barvitski, 8^th grader, Boardman Center Middle School, Boardman, OH

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The newly printed book, making the run, is about a teen girl just entering her senior year. Her best friend’s name is Ginny and she is named Lu. The book explores her deepest thoughts and her troubles. This book was so close to the real life of many teens that it was unreal. This was a great book. I could not put it down. It showed all aspects of Lu’s life. The book explored her relationship with her father and his girlfriend, her love interest, her close friends, and her acquaintances. It does not hold back on any subject. It shows the true sexuality of teens. The author was not afraid to step into that realm. The book shows that teens are not perfect and that mistakes are made. The author put Lu into many situations that every teen will eventually face. Every junior and senior in high school should read this book. Everyone can relate to this book in one way or another.

~ Kristen Evans, 11^th grader, Girard High School, Girard, OH

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Dimple Lala is an American-born Indian trying to get through an identity crisis.  She is too Indian for her American friends, but too American for her Indian family.  Craving to be just like her best friend, Gwyn, the stereotypical American girl, Dimple ignores a lot of her Indian culture.  But despite her best efforts, she starts falling in love with the “suitable boy” her parents set her up with.  This leads Dimple back to her family and she tries to get in touch with her roots.  A summer of learning about friends, love, the world, and herself ensues. 

This book was hard to put down.  Hidier makes the characters easy to relate to and the real-life situations make the story even more though-provoking.  Growing up and changing is something everyone has to deal with in their own way, and you can empathize with the problems arising in the friendship between Dimple and Gwyn.  Born Confused was written to target high school girls, but would be enjoyable to any mature audience that wants to tackle a wide range of contemporary issues.  This book is an asset to anyone who has had to come to terms with themselves, no matter how different they may be.  It would also be a reward to any average American who was just born confused. 

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"Beneath the early glimmering start, the ancient sprawling forest of Hagwood was crowded with menace and black branching shadows."  But beyond the menacing Hagwood forest lay a cheerful existence of werlings, a race of dwarfs, gratefully forgotten by the forest's ruler, the High Lady.  Amid the population of werlings is Gamaliel Tumkin, a bumbling, klutzy 7-year-old who is just about to start werling school.  Taught by Terser Gibble, and looked after by Lufkin Finnen, an older youth who was hiding a shameful secret, Gamaliel unlike the other children, could not seem to master shape shifting, an art of changing one's body to that of another for protection.  Sent out by Master Gibble, Finnen, and his group of charges, including Gamaliel, embarked on a journey into the forest for a lesson on shape shifting.  What was meant to be an innocent lesson turned out to be a sinister adventure; one in which they would fight a legendary evil creature, almost losing their lives in the process and being befriended by Smith, the last survivor of his race.  The crossing paths of Smith and Gamaliel would alter the peaceful existence of the werlings forever.  No longer were the werlings forgotten by the High Lady.  

The author has taken a seemingly simple fairy tale book, and interwoven an intricate plot, one that will keep you guessing until the book is done.  The author has also laced the book with a dash of good and evil adventure and swashbuckling heroes.  Tantalizing the reader, the author holds a secret that one of the main characters is hiding until it is revealed in an eye-opening scene in the last chapter.  This book, first in the Hagwood Trilogy, is a good fantasy read for middle school students and high school students alike.  

~Sharon Becker, 10th grader, Indian River Charter High School, Vero Beach, FL

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The Xenocide Mission, by Ben Jeapes, is a thrilling science fiction tale of a young lieutenant in the distant future. The year is 2153, and the Commonwealth Navy, made up of humans and the new alien species called First Breed, or Rusties, is on a mission to watch another alien species in a far off galaxy. Lieutenant Joel Gilmore and his Rustie companion, Boon Round, are the survivors of an attack on their space station by the species they are spying on. The attack leads to a three-week battle, and the discovery of new things for each different race. Each battle that is fought, though, seems to always be a misunderstanding, but each leads to harsher consequences. The story is told through many different points of view along the way, which sometimes made it hard to follow. There are a few different species of aliens that are introduced through the story, each with their won planets, rituals and languages. The species that the humans were watching was called the X’s or the Xenocides, because they had successfully wiped out most of the population of the whole planet. The X’s, who call themselves Kin, were the ones that attacked the human station, and when it was over, only two Commonwealth members remained; Joel and Boon Round. Each species tries to communicate with the others with the high-tech translators, to maybe negotiate peace. It was not as easy as it should have been, though.

The Xenocide Mission was a good book, but it was confusing if you did not keep reading on. The different technologies, languages, planets, rituals, and especially the large cast of intricate characters at times were all hard to keep track of. It seems like it would be a good book for high school students, or maybe Junior High students also. The story would not be very believable to those that do not think there could be other alien species out there. The characters are humorous and likeable except of course, the bad guys. Overall, I think this book was very exciting and interesting, and anyone who loves a good science-fiction novel would enjoy it.

~ Cassie Nemergut, 11^th grade, Girard High School, Girard, OH

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This book is about a twelve year old girl, Micheala, whom they call Mike for short, who lost her brother Red. She lived her whole life in Cape by the ocean and can’t see leaving it without coming back! In this book Mike is telling us about Red and herself when they were little and always hung out with each other. It also tells about Mona and Mark, Red’s old best friends who are coping all together through the tragic accident of losing Red. These three have a terrible secret that won’t let them continue with their lives!

This book could be a true story because things like this actually happen in real life. I really like Looking for Red by Angela Johnson because it seems so real even though it isn’t. I also like the names in the book because they are different and different to me is good instead of the same old same old thing. This book likes to keep you in suspense until the very end and I like that in a book instead of it being plain, and boring. The characters are interesting because each of them is different and have an important part in the main theme of the story. I think anyone from the age of twelve to fourteen would enjoy this book with the exception of the swearing, because some little kids aren’t mature enough for these types of books. This book is really good because I myself could compare it to what happens sometimes in the real world and put myself in Mike’s shoes. I can’t wait to read more books by this author because I think she is an excellent author who has good ideas to write about and to keep people on their feet!

~ Nicole Cappelli, 9^th Grade, Lowellville High School, Lowellville, OH

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Never So Green by Tim Johnston is a wonderful novel. The reader can feel as if he or she is actually the main character in the book. Davy “Tex” Donleavy finished his last day of fifth grade and had plans to stay with his dad during the summer. His father, Jacob, was dating Linda Volesky, and Tex had a huge crush on her. When he got home from school he found out he has to spend a week with his mom and her husband, Farley. Farley has two daughters, one that Tex becomes best friends with, Jack. Jack helps him realize he can play baseball with the deformed hand that he has. Farley practices with him daily and Tex becomes a member of the Twins, Farley’s baseball team. Tex spends the whole summer with his mother, and he sees Jack practically get raped by her father. He is asked not to tell, but what is he to do? Read the book to find out. This book is great to read because as you read it, you know more about how children get through life with a disability. Tex always had the “Hand” in his pocket because of what people thought about it. Once he started to play baseball, he was not ashamed of his “Hand.” Tex takes awhile to get used to the idea of having friends and having people actually like him. Once he has friends, he becomes a totally different person, and he is very open about things to his really good friends. Jack is always there for Tex no matter what happens, and she wants him there for her when he sees her being raped. Jack is the kind of friend you never want to lose. Farley was the best guy in the world to Tex until Tex saw something he never wanted to see, and soon he was back with Jacob. His mother, Caroline, was the type of mother everyone wishes to have. She was always there for him when ever he needed her. 

This book is geared toward high school students even though the main character is a fifth grade student. Never So Green takes many twists and turns. It is hard to try and guess what will happen next. One moment you may think one thing is going on, but the next it is totally different. This book will catch the reader totally off guard with what comes next. 

~Christina Costello Grade 11 Girard High School, Girard, OH

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Rachel doesn’t really fit in at her high school.  She can’t find a place where she belongs.  The only place she is ever happy is when she is volunteering for the animal shelter.  It is there that Rachel sees Grrl for the first time.  Grrl is a female collie mix; she is also a stray and extremely wild.  This dog captures Rachel’s heart despite this, however.  She can talk to Grll because Grrl will listen.  Writing about Grrl is easy.  For Rachel, loving Grrl is easy, too.  With the help of the new boy in school, Griffin , she begins to devise a plan to save the collie.  It’s through this plan that Rachel discovers that Griffin may become her first true friend. 

This book touches your heart as a girl struggles to get a stray that she loves with all of her heart.  It also shows that somewhere there is a friend for all of us; it doesn’t matter how different we really are.  Through it, you learn how important trustin is. 

Straydog is a book that seems to be directed at people in grades 6-9; however, it is my opinion that a person of any age would adore this book.  I would definitely recommend it to everyone I know.  I loved this book and think it is a truly inspiring story. 

~ Angela Thatcher, 10^th Grader, Bristol High School, Bristolville , OH  

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August 2, 1492, a day never forgotten by any true Jew, brought forth disaster and chaos as Jews once again fled their homeland.  On that same day a desperate girl named Esther disguised herself as a ship’s boy named Pedro.  With a little luck, she earned a place on Christóbal Colón’s ship the Santa Maria.  In this world, carelessness meant death; Esther could not reveal herself through ay gestures or words.  One mere action could have given away her true identity.  By becoming Columbus’ private servant with her skill in reading and writing, Esther faced jealousy and scorn from the other crewmembers.  There were also conspiracies against the admiral in which she tried to remain distant.  Feeling helpless, there was nowhere to go and no one to turn to; nobody could be trusted. 

 Freedom Beyond the Sea is best suited for students in eighth grade or older.  The exquisite detail and descriptive language bring out the historical setting of this novel.  By using words from languages spoken in the book, the setting and characters seem more realistic.  The complex plot makes the story unpredictable and intriguing.  True experiences on a ship back then are reflected through Pedro’s eyes.  Others did whatever was possible to keep their own secrets.  Even the admiral himself has secrets to keep and others to learn.  When Columbus seems to see right through Pedro, the reader senses bewilderment and confusion.  Today it would be impossible for a sixteen year old to live on his or her own for a year and a half in disguise. 

 With Esther’s words, all her feelings and emotions surfaced and pulled the reader into this fictional world.  As I read this, everything in the real world was forgotten; instead this imaginable setting replaced it.  I felt as if I was there, right beside the characters, judging their decisions and trying to predict the emerging results.  This book as the type of quality that makes the reader want it to last forever.  After reading this well-written novel, I found it to be purely enjoyable and fathomlessly impressive. 

 ~Rebecca  Theophanous, 8^th Grade, Boardman Center Middle School, Boardman, OH

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Mrs. Earth’s class was a well-mannered, nice elementary class. They were split up in to two groups, The Copycats (most of the boys) and The Tattletales (most of the girls). Then along came bully Thaddeus (Thud) Tweed who left a bad impression on Mrs. Earth’s great Vermont students.

In this fictional yet somewhat non-fiction book Thud and his fellow classmates stumble upon some chicken eggs, so they thought, as they were competing in an egg hunt to raise money for a new fire truck for the mall town of Hamlet, Vermont. Thud and the other two of the "Three Rotten Eggs", Lois and Salim, took care of the eggs along with their borrowed mother chicken, Doozy Dorking. The eggs end up being genetically altered chickens from an experiment of a mad scientist, Dr. Elderthumb.

This story is a somewhat comedic fiction. It is a very well written book and if I had a rating system I would give it an eight out of ten. I personally think with the technology today that this book isn’t really a fantasy, but a realistic fiction. The characters in this book can compare to some of the very people you might know in your daily life., even though they are in elementary school. I myself don’t like the book, I like books that are less juvenile. But I think that anyone from fourth to sixth grade would love to read this book, even kids that don’t like to read. This book is a book that would not waste your time if you read it. There aren’t a lot of humorous books that I have read, but so far it seems like most of them are about a couple of kids solving a problem. A book I’ve read, A Year With Butch and Spike, can closely compare with this book, spare the eggs and add a science project. If any other books of the Hamlet Chronicles are like this one, then I suggest to read them as well as this book.

~ Kevin Stout, 8^th grade, Struthers Middle School, Struthers, OH

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If you like books about teenagers growing up with mentally ill relatives, then A Corner of the Universe is the perfect book for you.  This story is told from Hattie Owens’ point of view.  She talks about the struggles of having a mentally ill uncle.

 When Hattie’s Uncle Adam, who was never talked about, moves in she thinks her family is treating him unfairly because they act as if he is younger than she is.  She does not understand why they treat him the way they do until Hattie’s birthday comes up and she and Adam and her friend Leila go to the local carnival and they ride the Ferris wheel. 

 I loved this book and I really recommend it to people who like to read books that don’t have a known ending from chapter one.  Another reason it was a good book is because it is very detailed.  Hattie likes to talk about the scenery and the things going on around her.  I think the main age group for this book would be junior high.  It was easy for me to read so I think junior high students would love it. 

 Ann Martin was very compassionate towards Adam’s character in the book.  I believe she wants us to see the real struggles of mentally ill people.  There are so many people who see them from the outside and teas them, shown by the characters Nancy and Janet, that Ms. Martin wants us to learn from this book. 

 ~Roxanne Johnson, 9^th grade, Chaney High School, Youngstown, OH

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She wants to see more of life than the small glimpse she can get peeking through her veil when she rides the gondola (water taxi).

By being a member of the noble class she has no freedom. She will not even be allowed to go to school or have an education. And because she is not the oldest girl in the family she will not be allowed to marry and instead will be "locked up" in a convent. By birth Donata has no choices but she intends to change all of this! With the help of her sisters and her curiosity and determination Donata learns many unexpected things. 

The story of Donata's wants and struggles is a good one. It reminds us that we can do anything if we put our mind to it. If something doesn't work out, we should use our own determination and keep trying. Donata refuses to give up. This novel describes in detail how life was like over 400 years ago. You feel transported back in time. Even though the characters lived many years ago, they remind you of people you actually know in today's world. I think this is a good book for readers in sixth grade and up, especially if they enjoy history!

~Dakota Unruh, 6th Grade, Gifford Middle School, Vero Beach, FL

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I have read the book The Shell House.  The story takes place at an around Graveney Hall in England, close to London.  The main characters throughout the book are Greg, Faith, Jordan, and Edmund Pearson. 

 At various times throughout the book the characters face individual problems.  Greg is coming to terms with the fact that he is gay, but he tries to deny it by experimenting with a girl to see if he can destroy his feelings for one particular guy, Jordan.  Greg also wants to solve the mystery surrounding Graveney Hall.  He wants to try and find out what happens to Edmund Pearson, the sole heir to Graveney Hall, who is believed to be dead.  Greg is the only one who believes that Edmund never died and he wont’ stop searching for the truth, until he gets his answers. 

 Faith has two problems in the book.  One is the same as that of Greg’s, which is to solve the mystery as to what happened to Edmund Pearson.  Her other problem is that she is having trouble keeping her faith in God and in her religion.  Jordan worries about his sister not getting the transplant that she needs in order to live, and he also faces the problem about whether or not to tell Greg that he is gay. 

 Edmund’s problem is that his father wants him to marry Phillipa Fitch, but Edmund does not want to because he is in love with his officer, Alex.  His other problem is making sure that nobody knows that he and Alex are lovers.  Edmund is fighting in the First World War to save his land so that it does not look like the trenches in France and Belgium. 

 I do not think The Shell House is a believable book.  The characters are all likeable, except for Faith, because she is too extreme in her faith and comes off as an uptight person.  I also don’t think that it is a very good book because there was so much going on that I think will confuse readers.  The first eight pages are very slow, description and long with hardly any conversation at all, just the character Greg left alone with his thought, and very descriptively describes Gaveney Hall, which in my opinion bores the reader.  The book gets interesting when the people start speaking, but that ends so quickly and you have to get used to it all over again.

 The Shell House comes together when Greg and Jordan are looking at Edmund Pearson’s poem in class, but the part about how his sister is sick with cancer does not fit.  I think that if the author just stuck with one main idea throughout the whole story then it might have been better than it was.  The Shell House is aiming more towards teenagers than any other age group. 

 ~Ashley Commings, 11^th grade, Lowellville High School, Lowellville, OH

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In 1911, a very poor African American girl named Mahalia Jackson was born.  She was born with crooked legs.  She became the youngest member of the church choir and hoped God would notice her, a little 4 year old with her huge voice, and fix her legs.  Living in poverty with her family in New Orleans was tough, but things got worse when her mother died and she had to move in with a rough, hard, and strict aunt.  She had so much work at home that she dropped out of school in fourth grade.  And if Mahalia didn't do something quite right her aunt got out her cat-o-nine tails which hurt in nine places!  Sometimes Mahalia would run next door to another aunt, Aunt Bell, for shelter.  But many times Mahalia couldn't get away from the cat-o-nine tails.  After hearing Mahalia sing one day, Aunt Bell said she was going to walk with the kings and queens.  

Mahalia moved to Chicago and her singing career began.  She sang wherever she thought she could do good.  And though she would receive many offers to sing different kinds of music, she would sing only for God as He had seen her through all the rough times and helped her legs.  She made records and became very well loved.  She even helped with the civil rights movement and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Through good times and bad, she always kept her faith in God, and used her strong, beautiful voice for Him.  

Mahalia:  A Life in Gospel Music is a very amazing biography about a very interesting woman.  Some people may not know who she is, but her story is important even today.  I didn't know about her before I read this book, but I will never forget her.  Roxane Orgill uses lyrics from songs Mahalia sang to help tell her story in an unforgettable way.  The many photographs used throughout the book are terrific and let the reader know exactly how things looked back then.  I like this book and you will, too!  I think this is a good book for fifth grade and up.  

~Dakota Unruh, Sixth Grade, Gifford Middle School, Vero Beach, FL

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The book I read is called Animals On the Trail With Lewis and Clark.  It tells about different Indian tribes, and how they helped Lewis, Clark and their men.  It has lots of photos and a chart in the back of the book showing the animals they discovered, including sea otters, harbor seals, the red fox, western badger, grizzly, raccoon, marmot and new sub species of the striped skunk. 

 Teachers would like this book because it has animals, presidents, and land forms, so science, history, and geography teachers would like this.  Third and fourth graders who like science, history, geography and adventure would like this book, too.  I like the colorful photos and the interesting extracts of Lewis’s notebook.  I like how the book explains how powerful a grizzly bear is, how Lewis almost got killed, and how a raven and a prairie dog went to see Thomas Jefferson.  Speaking of how powerful a grizzly is, six of Clark’s patrol went hunting a previously injured grizzly.  The six approached carefully.  “Two bullets passed through the bulk of both lobes of his lungs.  One bullet broke his shoulder.  Finally he was shot through the head, saving the men’s lives. 

 ~Matthew Benton, 5th Grade, Bennett Elementary School, Youngstown, OH

It is an extremely hard life especially with "Miz Catherine," the master's wife. But one night Harrison tells Samuel "keep your top eye open." 

Samuel does not know what that means but soon finds out when Harrison wakes him up in the night and says they are escaping to Canada. But trouble follows Samuel and Harrison while they travel  on the Underground Railroad. It is a breathtaking, scary, and adventurous trek to get to Canada. 

Shelly Pearsall's description of this period and the Underground Railroad make this book very real and convincing. You really feel like you're in Samuel's shoes (even though Samuel didn't have any shoes), feeling his fear and excitement as he struggles to reach freedom. You can't help but cheer for Samuel, a "small" hero, during this sad time in American History. I enjoyed reading this fascinating book and highly recommend it for readers in the 5th grade and older.

~Dakota Unruh, 6th Grade, Gifford Middle School, Vero Beach, FL

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Deceit.  Hate.  Murder.  Love.  All four of these factors turn seventeen year old Kaitlin Malone’s world upside down.  In this contemporary Romeo and Juliet-like situation, traditions pass on hate, causing Kaitlin to entangle herself in a very complicated web of lies. 

 Scribbler of Dreams is a wonderful book.  It is an easy and fast read.  It is very realistic and believable.  This book is more or less a good novel for teenagers in high school because most teenagers experience their first love in their high school years and some times parents don’t want their children to be dating a person if they do not like their parents. 

 I would honestly recommend this book to everyone I know.  It teaches to not judge a person by how they look or how much money they have, but to choose them for their personality and how they treat you.  This book has taught me many lessons in life that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

 ~Kristen Cutlip, 10^th grade, Howland High School, Howland, OH  

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The book is about a young boy who became a teenager. Blacky Brown is his name, and he is the main character throughout the novel. Blacky was raped by an older man and he does not know what to do about it. He goes home and tells his sister, she takes him to the hospital and children’s services take over. Later on that day he goes home and then goes back to school. At school, his best friend, Eric Duggan, betrays Blacky. Blacky then gets to know Mary Jane Paddington, the outcast at school. Towards the end of the novel Blacky buys a gun. He threatens to kill a kid at school but does not proceed to do so.

I felt that Little Chicago was a very excellent book, other than the fact that it used a lot of profanity. Some of the word usage throughout the novel was inappropriate. I would recommend that only sixteen year olds and up read the novel because of the use of profanity. When I was reading the novel, sometimes my attention was focused on the profanity more than the true meaning of the novel. Other than the use of profanity, I felt that the novel was excellent. It was definitely geared towards teenagers and their outlook on life. I thought that it was interesting how Blacky handled things throughout the novel with different types of situations. This book made me feel like I was in Blacky’s place and it was very believable. I know that kids feel the same way as Blacky did in the novel and some kids lean towards suicide as their last resort.

The reason that I felt it was a good book was because it shows teens that everyone goes through problems and that not only do your friends have to be nice to you, you have to be nice to them in return. No matter who makes fun of you in school, you need to live your life to the fullest. Blacky felt that he had no one else to turn to about his problems other than himself. This book shows you two different sides to solving things but most of the time, they were negative. This book was like another book called Speak just because it was geared toward a teenage level. The book had its ups and downs but in the end it ended up being a good book to read, and I recommend it to those who like to read stories about other kids’ lives.

~Lauren Zap, 11^th Grade, Girard High School, Girard, OH

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Martin J. Miller decides that he doesn’t want to live at his mother’s new husband’s house with his new mean stepbrother Burgess so he leaves.  He packs up all of his belongings and plans to drive back to his hometown of Winnemucca , Nevada .  He has no money, no where to go, and very little gas for his old jeep.  Martin is forced to stop in Red Rock, Idaho , to get some money.  He decides to get a job at a local burger joint and enrolls in the local school.  He sets up camp in a canyon not far from the town.  He names it The Camp of Many Critters.  He makes a few new friends and even ends up with a girlfriend.  Diantha Dragon, his girlfriend, is a new student at the school who figures out that he is lying about where he is living.  He takes not only her but his new friend Phillip Harkness to his Camp of Many Critters.  After a few weeks of working at the burger joint and going to school, his jeep is stolen from his camp.  Because of this and the fact that thanksgiving is in a few days he decides that it is in a few days he decides that it is time to go back to his stepfather’s house and try to make things work.  If he can survive on his own in Red Rock, Idaho , he can survive putting up with Burgess. 

The characters and the situations that they are put into are very realistic and very believable for a teenager.  I would recommend this book for high school sophomores and juniors.  I think that this is a good book for high school students because it is a relevant topic and fast, interesting reading.  There isn’t a dull moment to be found in the entire book. 

~ Aleesha Royer, 11^th Grader, Girard High School , Girard , OH

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