Penquis Students wikipedia

Penquis Valley Schools Information Center

Milo, Maine, USA 

NonFiction books Updated April 2009

Magazine reviews Updated Oct 2009

DVDs or Videos for classroom use Updated Feb 2009

Fiction Books

Fiction updated on May 2009

Naruto volume 42: Secret of the Mangekyo

Graphic novel

The second I saw this book immediately picked it up because for a long time it has been a favorite series for me. The book covers the end of the Jiraya and Pain fight, along with the end of the confrontation with the squad sent to retrieve sasuke, and the akatsuki member Tobi, but those are nothing compared to the main event of the book. The long awaited fight between uchiha sasuke and uchiha itachi. *im putting their names in the original japanese reading, being last name first* If you are a long time fan of the Naruto series I highly reccomend this volume for you. Unfortunately I would advise some who havent read before to read form the beginning of the series FIRST  here's a website that has the chapters just click select manga and look for Naruto. www.onemanga.com I would advise the readers be at least 13 or 14 because of mild language and  violence. Reviewed by Drew Bragg, May 1, 2009

When my name was Keoko

by Linda Sue Park c2002

 In When my name was Keoko, we are shown through the eyes of Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, what life in Korea was like under Japanese rule. We learn about the life they had to live and how they could only speak Japanese on the streets and even needed to take Japanese names. This book is an amazing story, and that it could grab any reader into it's amazing plot. I could see myself reading this book several times and can tell others will also enjoy it. I would suggest this book to people in grades k-12. This book is a war book and also explains life for children during the war. Reviewed by Nichelle Carpenter on March 17, 2009.

Harmless

by Dana Reinhardt

c2007

Three girls meet in high school and become best friends. They decide that since their parents never ask where they are going to be, they can get away with the biggest lie that they have told. Somehow one lie leads to another and they have no idea what consequences they are going to have to face. I would rcommend this book to high school students. Reviewed by Kasia Cornett, 3/6/09

Strays

by: Ron Koertge

This is a serious and funny book at the same time. From what I've read, the book makes you laugh and yet you're suspicious of the other characters.The title Strays is and isn't talking about animals. Its about a boy named Teddy or Ted whos parents die and he is sent to a foster home to live with a new "family"and other boys his own age. Before his parents died they owned a pet shop where they took in stray or lost animals or ones that were just left on their porch. I would really recommend this book for high school students 9-12 only because there is some profane language and adult situations.

Reviewed by: Lindsey Rideout 2/25/09

Star Wars : Bloodlines

by Karen Traviss c2006

This book is a novel about a bounty hunter trying to find meaning in his life. There is a lot of conflict in this book and the Jedi are doing their best to stop a war from breaking out. If you want to know what happens you will have to read the book. This book is recommended for people of all ages.

Reviewed by Billy Kinsman 2/10/09

Switched by R.L. Stine

This is the chilling story of a teenage girl who is unhappy with her life. Her best friend seems just as unhappy with hers, so the two girls decide to switch bodies by jumping off of the Changing Wall. It seems like the perfect decision for Nicole and Lucy, but Nicole soon finds out that Lucy's life is nowhere near as perfect as it seems. As soon as Nicole starts to step into Lucy's life, she finds a series of gruesome murders that all point to Lucy... who now has Nicole's body. Everyone is trying to turn Nicole in, and Nicole is the only one who knows that it was really Lucy who has committed the murders... or is it? This book is excellent for anyone who enjoys suspense, horror, or mystery. Reviewed by Sarah DeMaris, Feb 2009

The Wizard, The Witch & Two Girls From Jersey

By Lisa Papademetriou

copyright 2006

After reading this book, I must say I was a bit disappointed. With the play on words of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, I expected more out of it than what was delivered. The characters were cliche' at best, and the plot wasn't much more than a mixture of plots and ideas taken from other fiction novels such as The Lord of The Rings. Overall, I myself wasn't a big fan of this book, but think girls in grades 7 - 9 may find this piece of fiction amusing.

Reviewed by Gabby Adkins. 2/9/09

Listen!

By Stephanie Tolan, c2006

This book is about a twelve year old girl named Charley. She had lost her mother two years prior to her accident, which leaves her with a broken leg. Her father spends his time working, leaving her to dwell in the past over her mother. However, a strange dog begins appearning in the woods across the lake. She names him Coyote, and believes he is some sort of spirit that can help her recall memories of her mother and perhaps allow her to find peace. This book is appropriate for all ages. It also includes activities in the back that can be done by the reader. Reviewed by Alana Worster 12/08

Transformers Beast Wars: The awakening (graphic novel)

By: Simon Ferman

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel because I have been for a very long time a transformers fan, I liked how this book gave the characters that never made it into any of the t.v story lines or comic series, a story of their own. It is confusing at sometimes but well written and beautifully illustrated , the story takes place between the age of dinosaurs and the age when humans first appeared. I recommend this story to all sci-fi fans and transformer fans but at least 12 or up because of minor language and violence. Reviewed by Drew Bragg, January 2009.

The Missing:Book 1

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

(c) 2008

This book is a science fiction mystery, with twists , much like her Among the Hidden series. It's about 2 boys Jonah and Chip, both boys are adopted as babies. Them along with Jonah's sister Katherine are wrapped up in a mystery that involves the FBI, mysterious letters they've gotten and a plane that appeared and mysteriously disappeared 13 years before. It's an interesting book if you mysteries,it's a good read for you. Reviewed by Catrina Comeau, January 2009.

The Titan's Curse

by Rick Riordan

When Percy Jackson received an urgent distress call from his friend Grover he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies to go against the titans. Report by Tony Jay, January 2009.

Bogus to Bubbly

By Scott Westerfeld

I have read Scott Westerfelds book series Uglies,Pretties,Specials,and Extras. I can definitely say that this book can help you understand what the above books are about,and what they mean. I would recommend that you read the series before you read Bogus to Bubbly. Ths book contains lingos and information on the so called bubbly technology. In the book they also explain what the "nanos" do to help the creepy sort of future. I would recommend this to those who love fictional information.

Reviewed by Brian C. Lippincott, January 2009.

Bratfest At Tiffany's: A clique novel

By: Lisi Harrison

This book is about five girls, Massie, Alicia, Dylan, Kristen, and Claire who all go to a school called Briarwood-Octavian Country Day School for girls only. One of the rules there is that you can't go into the cafe until 8:00 Am. But instead, Massie and Claire, decide to go into the cafe before they get permission. When they go into the cafe they find out that it isn't a cafe anymore. it is now a green house. The next day when they came to school there were boys there. Claire was one of the girls that the boys were staring at. Then, Claire met her old friends, Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen. I think that people should read the other books in this series first so that you can understand what they are talking about in this book. I totally recommend this book to anyone who is interested in fiction.

Reviewed by: Tera Williams January 2009

The face on the milk carton

By Caroline Cooney

c. 1990

Tunnels

By Gordon Williams

In this thrilling tale teenager Will Burrows and his father are rather odd compared to the rest of their family. Based on their fascination with archeological digs. When the two discover an old and abandoned tunnel beneath present-day London, Will and his father are convinced they are on the brink of a major discovery. Then Will's father vanishes.

Seeking to discover the causes behind his father's mysterious absence, Will enlists his friend Chester. As they descend into the tunnels into a dark underworld, the deeper they descend, the greater the threat to their lives!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fantasy with a mix of mystery and adventure. Especially to those who like a book that takes the modern and places the fantastical within.

Reviewed by Wesley Rouse, January 2009

Inkdeath

By: Cornelia Funke

The book Inkdeath is the final book in the 'Inkheart' trilogy. Meggie and her parents are still trapped in the Inkworld, which is collapsing around them. An evil ruler has gained immortality, and is sending out packs of thugs to drain the land. It is only a matter of time before Meggie's family and friends are found, and destroyed along with the rest of the good people in the Inkworld.

The only hope for their survival now is to make a deal with one of the most dangerous beings in the there. If a certain condition is met by the end of summer, the tyrant will die, and peace will return. But, if not, the Inkworld will continue in chaos, and Mo, Meggie, and Resa will all die for not having met the condition. Deals with Death are always dangerous. What is the condition of the deal, will it be met, and how? To find out, you have to read Inkdeath, by Cornelia Funke, and find out for yourself. A well-written, satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

Review by Sarah DeMaris, January 2009

Story Collection

Scary Stories

By: Various Authors

This is a kind of book that is mostly read on your own time. If you want a good scare at any time of the year pop open this book for a true thrilling experience. This book is written on a level for middle school and high school students, as well as adults. The authors from this book are classic story writers such as Edgar Allen Poe and H.G Wells and also offers collections from modern masterpieces by Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Reviewed by Katy Korona January 2009

The wizard of Oz (graphic novel)

L. Frank Baums

When I first picked up this book, I thought it was't going to be very good but as I progressed through the interestingly redone storyline, I changed my opinion on the book. I have read the original version of the Wizard of Oz before and I have to say that I find this version better. The story takes place in almost modern day instead of almost seventy-five years ago. I recommend this book to anyone who like reading graphic novels and anyone who likes reading books in general. Reviewed by Drew Bragg, Oct 2008

The other Boleyn girl

Philippa Gregory

This book is the kind of book that could be used for a class project, or just on your own time. Not only does it teach you about how far families are willing to go to win the heart of the King, but it mesmorizes you with its ability to show all the love, ambition, and passion from innocent people that were put on the line to become royality. This is a long book that will mostly catch the eyes of high schoolers, and wil be popular with students that want to know about the 1500's and what went on during that time in the royal houses of England. Reviewed by Katy Korona, October 2008.

Monkey

Jeff Stone

This is about one of the young apprentices to the great masters in China. He and his brothers are all that is left of their village. They are trying to take down their rouge brother who destroyed all that they know. Along his journey he is face with the challenge of fighting the Monkey King and finding his way back to his brothers. I recommend this book to anyone who is into fantasy, animals, or Chinese culture. I would give this book an 8 out of 10. This book is the second in a series called the Five Ancestors. The first is called Tiger which we do have in thelibrary. Reviewed by Josh Bessey, October 2008.

Monkey

Jeff Stone

The Five Ancestors' is great book if you like stories that take place when times were simple. This book is about a young monk who wants to be more powerful in some way, like a dragoon. This is a time when dragons roamed the earth and were feared by all. This book is great for anybody for 8th grade to 12th grade. Reviewed by Dan Volz, October 2008

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card

I recommend the Ender's Game chronicles, a great sci. fi. series holding great interest, great fun for 8th graders and up. I'm not saying its a book for kids its not its more of a sci fi thriller for people of any age. By Dana Bragg, March 2007

Under The Blood-Red Sun

By Graham Salisbury

Historical Fiction

Under the Blood-Red Sun is a story of a young Japanese American boy name Tomi that lives in Pearl Harbor with hi father, mother and grandfather in the winter of 1942. After the attack on the Naval base all Japanese American men were rounded up and sent to cantonment camps leaving Tomi and his mother all alone. Read as Tomi has to overcome racism,the terrors of war and the thought of never seeing his father or grandfather ever again yet still staying ture to his friends and his baseball team the Rats. This is a great hstorical fiction to fill that free time you will be spending this summer.

Reviewed by: Jared Monahan, Spring 2006

The Cheat

Amy Goldman Koss

Fiction - Fantasy

The Cheat is about a few kids in a middle school that cheat on their final exams. The kids think that they are going to be in the clear because the teacher have always given the same test. One kid gets the test from his sister who took it the year before and gives it to a girl thinking that it will make him cooler. She gives it to a football player and one of her best friends. When it was time to take the test, the girl's best friend ended up backing out and the 3 other students still cheated. The girl thinks that her best friend ratted on them because she was the only one that didn't get caught. The kid that took the test and gave it to everyone ends up running away from home becuase he doesn't want to get beat by his dad. You should read this book because it teaches kids where cheating gets them in today's world. How far it will really get you.

Reviewed by: Erica Coburn, Spring 2006

The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien

Fiction - Fantasy

Prelude to The Lord of the Rings and the beginning of the world of Middle-Earth. Join Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, as he goes on an adventure, very irrespectable for a hobbit, with thirteen dwarves and Gandalf the Wizard. They will go through perilous lands to get to the Lonely Mountain, Smaug the Dragon, and the Dwarven hoard. Find out how the adventure that started it all happened, how the One Ring came into the hands of hobbits, and how hobbits came into the hearts of the world.

Reviewed By: Tyler Herbst, Spring 2006

The Fellowship of the Ring

J.R.R. Tolkien

Fiction - Fantasy

Sequel to The Hobbit__, and first in the world acclaimed trilogy __The Lord of the Rings and now a major motion picture. It is a story about the hobbit Frodo Baggins and his companions who embark on a perilous journey from the Shire acros Middle-Earth to throw the One Ring into the Fires of Mt. Doom. They will face many dangers as the Dark Lord Sauron sends forth his servants to reclaim his ring. They will go through many places, full of danger, friendship, and treachery, facing Orcs, Elves, loss, and creatures of shadow.

Reviewed By: Tyler Herbst, Spring 2006

The Two Towers

J.R.R. Tolkien

Fiction - Fantasy

Sequel to __The Fellowship of the Ring__, second in the trilogy and now a major motion picture. The story continues, but the Fellowship is broken, Frodo and Sam go towards Mordor, while three other companions go on a rescue mission for two other hobbits, taken by the Uruk-Hai. They will travel through perilous lands and fight against overwhelming odds, reunite with old friends and meet new ones. Frodo and Sam will unite with the treacherous Gollum as they go ever closer to Mordor and Mt. Doom.

Reviewed By: Tyler Herbst, Spring 2006

The Return of the King

J.R.R. Tolkien

Fiction - Fantasy

Sequel to The Two Towers and the final segment in __The Lord of the Rings__, and now a major motion picture. The story and War of the Ring has sifted to Gondor, which is under attack by the Hordes fo Mordor and led by the terrible Witch-King of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul, Captain of the Nine. Gandalf prepares the defenses of Minas Tirith, Theoden, King of Rohan, musters the Rohirrim to aid Gondor, and Aragorn and his Grey Company goes another way to gain an unstoppable army to give Gondor a fighting chance. Frodo and Sam enter Mordor and head towards Mt. Doom. can they face the innumerble hosts of Mordor, face the terror of the Witch-King, become the man you were meant to be, and avoid the Lidless Eye of Sauron and his hosts of orcs to save Middle-Earth from a Second Darkness.

Reviewed By: Tyler Herbst, Spring 2006

The Lord of the Flies

William Golding

Fiction

This is a remarkably enchanting novel that draws you deep into the heart of the story. This story is about a group of young boys that are stranded on an island in the middle of no where. At first everyone gets along but then the children begin to change. Eventually the group splits into two factions that are constantly fighting one another. They face many perils from the beast that lives on top of the mountain to the shaded movements of night. Yet beware that you aren't sucked into the story and stare into the lifeless eyes of __The Lord of the Flies__.

Reviewed By: Brent Lippincott, Spring 2006

The House of Thunder

Dean Koontz

Fiction - Horror

Susan wakes up from a coma in a hospital in Russia. Her college boyfriend was killed in a hazing accident involving four other boys who apparently died several years later. Susan sees these four in the nightmarish hospital room. With the help of the friendly Dr McGee, Susan figures out that the hospital and the town are not real. What happens to Susan? You'll have to read The House of Thunder to find out.

I would recommend this book to any one that likes a good horror or mystery book. From the moment you start the first chapter to the moment you read the last sentence you will not want to put this book down.

Reviewed by Ashley Rideout, Spring 2006

Looking For Alaska

John Green

Fiction - Teenagers

__Looking for Alaska__, by John Green, is a novel about a teenage boy who never fit in at his local school, so he decided to go to a boarding school hoping to find some friends. He was successful in his goal and ended up enjoying the new school very much. He set out on a plan to get to know a girl named Alaska and maybe get involved with her romantically. They become very good friends, but towards the end he is faced with a situation that would change his life forever.

I would recommend this book to any teenager who likes to read for a pastime. It's a fun book to read and hard to put down.

Review by Jenny Ekholm, Fall 2005

Seize The Night

Dean Koontz

Fiction - Mystery

This book is about a man named Christopher Snow aka Snowman. Snowman has XP (Xeroderma Pigmentosum) it's an allergy to sunlight. Snowman embraces his XP and lives in the night. Snowman is convined that the kids that were kidnapped are still alive and that the polie in Moonlight Bay are trying to hide something from the public. So with the help of his friend Booby, his faithful dog Orson, and his lover Sasha he sets out to find the lost children.

Snowman's late mother was a genius scientists who created a breed of monkeys that escaped Fort Wyvern. The Fort is now “closed”, but Snowman knows there is something going on. In the lower basement of an old bunker there is a room called the Egg Room. When you enter the room it starts to glow and you are taken to a different place in time. Snowman realizes he will have to Seize the night to find the lost children.

I would recommend this book to anybody who loves to read mystery. This book is one that you will not be able to put down. I would also recommend Fear Nothing it's the first book in this two part series.

Reviewed by Ashley Rideout, Fall 2005

Web page authors: Student Library Workers at Penquis Valley School, Maine