January 24, 2014

7 Student Reviews


Cherub Mission 1: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore 
reviewed by Samuel 

Cherub Mission 1: The Recruit is the first book of many in the tantalizing Cherub series. The book follows the life of an orphan named James and his transition into the Cherub spy organization. Cherub is a top secret organization that recruits gifted children with no family ties that are willing to work with the organization. The reason why MI9 (British spy organization) would allow children to go to work in the field is because criminals don't suspect children would spy on them. The book is set in London so there may be some phrases or words you may not understand but it is still an amazing book despite this. Although this book is very well written, I do not recommend it for younger readers because there is language not suitable for young children. This book is an amazing page-turner and the only complaint I had about it is that it wasn't longer. I can't wait to get the next one in the series.



The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black 
reviewed by Jasmine 

In The Coldest Girl in Coldtown Tana wakes up after she got drunk and fell asleep in the bathtub and she finds that almost everyone is dead. The only ones alive from the party were her ex-boyfriend and vampireshe knew almost nothing about. The rest had gotten killed by other vampires. Tana had heard of these things happening around the world. She never thought that they would happen in her town.
This book was full of action and was actually quite bloody. The story itself was great. Everything was explained perfectly including the back stories. I would recommend this book for those of you who either don't mind gore or go looking for it.



Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren 
reviewed by Jasmine 

Waterfall is about a girl named Gabi and her sister Lia who live in Italy because their parents are working on an archaeological project. When their dad died their mom became obsessed with finding the things that she and their dad were looking for. While their mom is at an archeological dig, the sisters go off to explore. They find an ancient tomb with mysterious hand prints on the wall which perfectly match theirs.As soon as they touch the hand prints, Gabi gets transported to fourteenth century Italy in the middle of a medieval war. Where is her sister? What is she doing here?
This book has a wonderful love story and at the same time drops in a few facts about medieval history. This book can be for anyone who enjoys fantasy books.



The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey 
reviewed by Samuel 

The 5th Wave is the first installment in Rick Yancey's science fiction thriller series. This science fiction novel is not as far-fetched as some other sci-fi stories, like Star Wars) but it hits closer to home. When "The Others" invade Earth in an effort to purge the it, Cassie the main character in this novel, is one of the few humans left to have survived the fourth wave. The only thing Cassie has left to believe in is the hope that she'll find her little brother before the fifth wave hits. Although this is an amazingly written book, I don't recommend it for anyone under 13 because it has adult language and some gruesome scenes. This was an amazing book with a lot of action and heart warming tales of redemption and true love. I highly recommend this book if you're looking to start on a new series.



Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti 
reviewed by Valerie 

Waiting for You is an excellent realistic fiction novel by Susane Colasanti. In the beginning, it looks like it's going to be one of those typical high school drama stories but it is really unique. As you walk through Marisa's life, you can see how she deals with her life from her crazy family to her many friends. Throughout the book, Marisa (as well as many of her friends) is listening to someone who knows all the secrets and news of her school, and she realizes she likes him even though she doesn't even know him. At the end, she is extremely surprised to find out that the person is her best friend and you know how that ends! So if you're looking for a good book to read when you have down time, this is the one.



Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker 
reviewed by Valerie 

Unbreak My Heart is an unique and gripping read. The story is set in summer on a boat. Clementine (Clem) has just escaped from her past onto a boat with her family where she is staying for the whole summer. According to Clem, "Floating away isn't so bad when you don't have any friends left." You can tell something horrible has happened and Clem takes the blame for it. The way the author reveals this information is very interesting: telling Clem's story on the boat and including a few bits of her mysterious past along the way that piece together and form the complete story in the end. On the boat, Clem meets a funny and always cheerful boy who she thinks might be the key to putting her heart back together.
Although Clem is the main character, I think my favourite person in the book is Olive, Clem's little sister. You can tell by Olive's words and actions how much she cares for the older sister and how she tries to make Clem happier. It shows a true sibling bond that Clem doesn't realize until the end. So if you have a summer, or even a free weekend, read Unbreak My Heart. You will be wrapped in the blanket of Clem's life and swept away before you even finish the first chapter.



Protector of the Small: First Test by Tamora Pierce 
reviewed by Maya 

Tamora Pierce is without a doubt one of my favourite authors and I was so excited to learn that there was a third series set in Tortall, a land of magic and now, female knights. After a decree is passed allowing girls to become squires as well as boys, not many are ready to be the first to take the offer. Keladry, nicknamed Kel, is the first who is brave enough to travel to the castle to train. As the first open female squire, she is put on a probation year. A shorter scope of time than most of Pierce's books, she still artfully keeps the story flowing quickly. As a squire, Kel learns to deal with bullies and her crippling fear of heights. By making new friends, animal and human, Kel begins to succeed in her training. Then comes the ultimate test: the call to battle.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy or science fiction. First Test is a book for younger audiences than what Pierce usually writes for, but all ages can enjoy the story. Reading the series before it, Wild Mage and Song of the Lioness, make for a better reading experience, but the books can be enjoyed on their own. This series is my favorite, and I cannot say how many times I have read these books. A great character unto herself, Keladry's books work magic on the reader that has nothing to do with the Gift, because she doesn't have one.

Posted by Sarthak at 03:09 PM
Recent Entries
7 Student Reviews
Other Web Logs
News
Books
Children's Room
Teen Book Buzz
Archives
August 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
April 2014
February 2014
January 2014
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
May 2013
March 2013
January 2013
November 2012
October 2012
August 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
February 2012
January 2012
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
February 2011
January 2011
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
April 2009
March 2009
December 2008
October 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
July 2004
June 2004
April 2004
Takoma Park city seal THE LIBRARY IS A DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK
Call the desk at 301-891-7259
Contact the director by e-mail