Penquis Students wikipedia

Penquis Valley Schools Information Center

Milo, Maine, USA 

NonFiction books Updated Dec 2011

Magazine reviews Updated March 2011

DVDs or Videos for classroom use Updated Feb 2010

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

Fiction Books

Fiction updated on January 2012

"Avengers: The Initiative" by Dan Slott

144 pages, copyrighted 2008

Adventure, F SLO 

"Avengers: The Initiative" is a story book that all super hero fans and mystery fan would love to read. This story is about a group of kids with special powers who gothrough training by the Avengers. This story revolves around a girl named Cloud 9, who can produce gas particles from her body. Cloud 9 went to the Avenger training to get a license to use her powers, but gained more than what she bargained for. She had to battle through a lot of criminals and work with a group of super powered kids who have troubles of their own.

What I liked from this book is how they made the conflict very intense for some people to turn their heads towards the book. One example would be how one hero could transform into someone's greatest fear or how the Avenger allowed a non-mutant or super hero into the team.

Some reasons to want to read this book would be to have a light read, see new heroes, or the intensity of the battles in the comic.

Reviewed by J.T. Kearns on 12/5/11

Kiss Me Kill Me                             

By: Lauren Henderson                               
Pages 1-260
2008
Mystery
    Kiss Me Kill Me is about a girl named Scarlett Wakefield. She goes to St. Tabby’s Boarding School and does gymnastics there right after school. She has two best friends Alison and Luce. Scarlett gets invited to a party with the popular kids and when she’s at the party she has her first kiss with Dan McAndrew who she has a major crush on. While they were kissing he suffocates and dies in her arms.
    I would recommend this book to middle school or high school girls. I think a lot of younger people could relate to it. Like girls who haven’t had their first kiss. I think a lot of middle school and teenagers could relate to a book like this. I mean not the first guy you kiss dying in your arms but the first kiss and wanting to fit in with the popular kids. It’s a great book filled with mystery and discovery. If anyone’s looking for a book this would be a good one to read. Reviewed by Jessica Rouleau, May 4, 2011

13 Days To Midnight.

By Patrick Carmen

2010

Horror

This is a very good book. I feel that the people in it are easy to connect with, simply because it has a high schooler setting to it. The plot as I understand it is that the main character is given some super power that lets him control who lives and who dies. He feels that it is a serious burden. I for one would do everything I can to make sure nobody I knew died. This is a mild horror book. I feel that if you feel like just sitting back and reading something with meaning, this is the book for you. As reviewed by ALEX HARTIN, May 2011

Ruby Holler

Sharon Creech

Are you interested in fiction books? Books that have so much detail while your reading them you see everything happening as if you were watching a movie? If so, I’m suggesting you read the book Ruby Holler  by Sharon Creech.
     A set of twins, Dallas and Florida, are the main characters in this book. When they were infants they were dropped off a the foster home in the middle of town. Since then they have been placed with many different foster families hoping to find the family who will give them the love they need. When they are in their mid-teen years they are introduced to a couple, Sairy and Tiller,  who only wants to take them for the summer. As the summer went on both the couple and the twins were became close. Sairy and Tiller were the closest thing to a family that Dallas and Florida had had in their life. Towards the end of the book, Dallas and Florida continue to want to get on the night train out of town as they have wanted all their lives. To discover what happens throughout this book in detail and to reveal the surprise ending go to your local library or  pick it up at your local book store.
    I would recommend this book to just about anybody  who likes non-fiction books or who has read other Sharon Creech books. If you do read this book, I would also recommend other Sharon Creech books. Reviewed by Ashley Donlon May 2011

Radiance
By: Alyson Noel
Science Fiction/ Fantasy
In this book, the main character, Riley, dies and goes to the afterlife. At first, the afterlife doesn’t seem to be very different from her life on earth. Her family, her house and her neighborhood  are the same but strangely enough the neighbors that lived in the neighborhood on earth weren’t there in the afterlife. Her parents seem to be just fine with everything being the way it is in the afterlife, however, Riley isn’t adjusting well at all. At her school, the students don’t talk to her and nobody seems to want to help her with anything. Since Riley and her family had died, Riley had to learn to live without her sister, Ever. When their family first died and went to the entrance of the afterlife, Riley and her parents crossed the bridge to the afterlife, but Ever decided to go her own way back to the world. Now Ever is a lonely ghost roaming aimlessly on the earth.
    Overall, I liked the book very much. I found Alyson Noel to be a detailed writer; she puts many amazing details in her writing. While reading this book, I could picture each scene just as it was a movie. It was like watching a movie in my head. I think people will like this if they  like fiction books that really touch you in one way or another. Reviewed by Ashley Donlon, May 2011

Assassin's Creed Renaissance

Historical Fiction

Copyrighted 2009

By Oliver Bowden

Report by J.T. Kearns

Reviewed 4/29/11

For those who played the video game, Assassin's Creed II, then you don't really have to read this book, but then you will miss out on the excitement that this book provides.

The book starts off with Ezio, the main character, and a group of men having a fist fight with their enemies in Italy. The battle continued until Ezio's older brother joins the battle and tipped the scales to favor their side of the battle. After the battle and the trouble Ezio causes with his girlfriend's father, Ezio had to assist his father with some suspicious errand.

By the time he finished, his father and brothers were arrested for treason that they never did. When Ezio gets to the prison tower that they were held, he was told by his father of one last assignment to take everything from his secret room and bring a letter to a friend of his before the hanging.

By the time the hanging occurred, Ezio automatically gains the ability to assassinate and kills his father's friend, who betrayed his friend. Now, Ezio must go around Italy, and assassinate his father's enemy and his new enemies.

I would recommend this book to everyone, and I mean Everyone, no particular group, Everyone. There are no dislikes to the book, and the major theme is kinda dark, due to the blood and murders. So this book is something that everyone has got to read.

Watchers: Lab 6

author: Peter Lerangis
copy right date:1999
This book has had many important characters in it. One important character is, Byron who is a know it all and thinks fast during a bad situation. Byron also seems to get himself into bad situations. Another important character is Cam who connects every other character in the book together. Reina, a girl who's crazy for Cam Hong and is also used during a big drug deal she had no idea about. Jimmy, Jimmy is the driver who crashes the car because a deer jumps in front of it when he's on a way to a so called wild party Cam and Byron invited him to. And MC known as mountain chick is a girl who gets caught up in all of the drama.

I am going to do a text-to-self connection. I'm doing a text-to-self connection because i think i can connect to MC. I think i can connect to MC because she really likes to enjoy herself and have fun. I think that can relate to me because i also love to have fun just like she does. Another way i can connect to MC is because she loves nature as do i.

I give this book five stars. I give this book five stars because i think it had an amazing plot. The reason why the plot was so amazing was because it was so written in a great way. The plot stayed interesting and you kept wanting to read on and on.

Reviewed by Kala Robshaw, May 2011.

Title: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Number of Pages: 359

Copyright Date: 2009

Genre: Fiction

Reviewer's Name: Rachel Giles

Date of Review: April 27, 2011

Call Number: F ELK

     Fairfield High School is divided into two groups the North Siders and the South Siders. When head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Ales Fuentes are forced to be lap partners in chemistry class, neither teen is prepared for the most surprising chemical reaction of all- love.

     I liked this book as soon as I started reading it. There was never a dull moment in the book. The book shows that people can turn their life around when they re going down the wrong path. An example of this is Alex. He was in a gang, had no future plans other than staying in the gang. But when he and Brittany stated talking and falling in love, she got him to stop and think about where he was heading in life. Another example of this is Brittany. She was doing every thing she could do to keep her parents, friends, & teachers happy. She also did every thing she could to make people think she was living the perfect life. Even when she was not. But all that changed when Alex cam along. I think this would be a book that most people would like.

Fear Street: Switched

By R.L. Stine

150 pages

copyrighted 1992

horror/crime/fiction

Reviewed by J.T. Kearns

Reviewed 2/17/11

call number 76433

In the book, 'Fear Street: Switched', in a Street called Fear Street, Nicole is having a hard time making her life more better than the life she has now. When she looks at her best friend, Lucy, she sees a better life. Better parents, better boyfriend, better everything. But what Nicole didn't know was what was going on through Lucy's bright green eyes. When Lucy requested to switch bodies, Nicole learns what truly goes on in Lucy's life, the torment she puts up with. She also learns of the revenge that Lucy is going to do, within Nicole's body. The Major Theme of the book is fear and sorrow, because the character's are living in a place where the sun near shines, and things happens that people would fear (like Silent Hill).

What I like about this book is that it has a way to give people goose bumps. One example is when Nicole finds that Lucy is going to get revenge in her body. What I dislike is that when I read the book, I would loose interest too quickly (no examples for my dislikes). I'd recommend this book to those who love horror and won't lose interest as fast as me, because of how much horror the book gives off, even from the cover.

Title- Troy High

Author- Shana Norris

Page Numbers- 261

Copyright Date- 2009

Genre- Fiction

Reviewer’s Name- Rachel Giles

Date of Review- 2/7/2011

Call Number- FNOR

Cassie goes to Troy High, and her best friend and crush, Greg, goes to Lacede High. The rivalry between the two schools is fierce and Cassie really doesn’t understand what the big deal is. Both Cassie and Greg have older brothers who play on the Football teams, Cassie’s for the Trojans of course, and Greg’s for the Spartans. When a cheerleader from the Spartan’s team is forced to switch schools and ends up going to Troy. Elena, the former Spartan cheerleader, was one of Greg’s brothers girlfriend. When she switches schools and teams, she also switches boyfriends and ends up dating one of Cassie’s brothers. It is then and there that Cassie and Greg have to deal with the football rivalry, and put their friendship at stake.

I really liked this book, most any girl can relate to Cassie at the beging of the book because she feels left out, shy, awkward and frustrated.The characters were fitting. Cassie, the narrator of the story, is the only one with her head on straight, seeing the stupidity of everyone around her. The rest of the characters have the sole focus of kill the other side. All the characters fit nicely together to the whole story. I really like the cover. It totally fits the story, as Elena is the girl responsible for everything.

I would recommend this book to all those people out there who love those tales about high school. Also for people who like Social Studies. Mostly people who like a twist. There is a lot of drama in this book which makes it a whole lot more interesting. Also the way that the author incorporated the classical tale into the book was very good. It made the book far better then just a regular high school story.

Hit and Run by RL Stein, 1992, horror book

I feel that the R.L. Stien series is pretty good anyway. I especially feel that his book "HIT AND RUN" does an awesome job of catching a readers attention page by page.This is an excellent read for somebody who is in to the easy to read horror books. I would personally give this book a 7 out of 10, mostly because i like horror books and movies anyways. I really liked this book anyway because I felt that it kind of connected with the lives of some teenagers. The confusion, the bullying of a student by others, the plain disreguard for other peoples belongings. I think it would be a good class read for an 8th grade english class. Reviewed by Alex Hartin, Feb 2100

So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane

F DUA Length: 370 pages Copyright date: 1983

Fantasy/Sci-Fi DOR:  10/26/10

                In this book, our main characters (Kit and Nita) are normal kids living normal lives in suburbia, until each of them discovers a strange book.  It’s one of those career books, So you want to be a Carpenter, a Lawyer, except this one reads So you want to be a Wizard.  After reading the book and taking a Wizard’s oath, the characters are flung into a magical adventure of parallel universes and magical phenomena that bends both the mind and reality as they race to defeat Entropy, and the death of the world as we know it.

                All in all, this book is pretty good.  The plot runs fairly quickly, even though it comes off the line with a slow start.  This book is definitely thought provoking, and as the first part of a series one quickly finds that the ensuing adventures become more interesting and at the same time more complicated.  In order to appreciate this book you’ll need a good imagination, an open mind, and perhaps a small understanding of how parallel universes work and quantum physics.  However this book can be easily enjoyed without the last two stipulations.  The only major drawback here is the slow start of the book, however the colorful characters help to balance this out.  I would recommend this book to avid fiction and sci-fi readers and readers who enjoy a thought provoking puzzle. Reviewed Wesley Rouse, Oct 26, 2010.

Blood Promise: A Vampire Academy Novel, By Richelle Mead

My book review is over Blood Promise A Vampire Academy Novel, the author is Richelle Mead. The book is about Lissa Dragomir. She is a moroi princess and a mortal vampire with rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. Lisa needs to be protected from Strrigoi at all times. This book has 503 pages and it is a series. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes Vampire Novels. Reviewed by Brianne Andrews, Oct 2010.

Bad by Jean Ferris

Copyright:1998

 This book is the story of a 16 year old girl who gets sent to prison. It tells her story about she got to this point and how her life was. Bad is a good book to read if you like stories about trials and tributes. This book may be easy for some people to relate to. Reviewed by Hanna Backus, May 2010.

Burned, Ellen Hopkins, 2006

 The book's content is about A book called Burned. It is a New York Times best seller.....

 People should read this book because it is a really good book and it is really interesting....

Reviewed by Courtney Mineau, May 2010/

Halo The FALL of REACH by Eric Nylund

Halo is a very good book and I think everyone should read it. It's exciting. The Halo games are good too. Reviewed by Joe Briggs, May 2010.

NightWorld, by L.J. SMith,

Copyright 2010

 In this book there are three stories from Nightworld, they are filled with dark love and mystery that grabs you and hangs on for a wild ride through night world....Read at your own risk.

 I would recommend this book to anyone who likes vampire werewolves, angels, demons or witches. It is a very good read and i loved all the stories anyone would like this book. it is written very well.

Reviewed by Jenny Comeau, May 2010.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith

Copyright 2009

 This book takes Jane Austen's masterpiece and turns it into a zombie filled world of fear and panic. The characters remain the same except for the fact that they are all skilled zombie fighters now. The overall theme stays the same as well, the only difference being that it takes place in a world fraught with danger.

 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is not for those of you who can't take a joke. If you've read the original book, however, you can read this and laugh at all the nonsensical new things in it. This book is a must for zombie fans everywhere. Reviewed by Zach O'Quinn, May 2010.

HIT AND RUN, by R.L. STINE, copyright 1992.

     This is a book that is good to read if you need one for a report, its an easy read for those that like horror but don't really want to read. Its about a boy that doesn't have his license but goes for a drive with his buddies. He hit someone and now they all have a deadly secret to keep, and an enemy from beyond the grave. Reviewed by Alex Hartin, May 2010.

HALO: the Flood by William C. Dietz

Copyright 2003

 Someone would want to read this book if they have played the halo games or like fictional fantasy books...its basically a book/game that has a war raging between humans and different kinds of aliens. Reviewed by Seph Demarais

"Valiant: a modern tale of faerie" by Holly Black

Copyright 2005

The book is about a 17 year old girl named Valerie running away to New York City. She is trying to escape a life that has betrayed her. She becomes a member of a gang that lives in the subway system.

She gets a task of locating a mysterious creature. She is torn between her affection for an honorable monster and fear of what her friends are becoming. I think people should read this book if they are into fiction type books that have a mystery in them. And it has a good story line in the book and what might be a good conflict. Reviewed by Coltin Durant, April 2010.

"Diary of a wimpy kid: the last straw" by Jeff Kinney

Copyright 2009

The book is about a boy named Greg. The father is trying to toughen him up, but when Greg says no, his father threatens to send him to a military academy. "Diary of a wimpy kid" is a book that anyone can fall in love with. They are always humorous and have little sketches. I have not found one person who has picked up this book and not liked it. Review by Jimmy Gledhill, April 2010.

"Lock and key" by Sarah Dessen

Copyright 2008

The story is about Ruby and how she is sent to live with her older sister. Ruby's mother vanishes and she is used to not answering to anybody. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read Sarah Dessen books and romance. Reviewed by Brianne Andrews, April 2010. 

"The tenth circle" by Jodi Picoult

Copyright 2006

This book is about a teenager who loves her father alot. She is an A student and thinks her dad is her hero. But one thing could mess up their  whole life....She ends up getting a boyfriend and somethin gbad happens. I think thsi book is a good addition to this library because it deals with a teenager, boyfriends and all the drama! I believe people will love this book because it deals with teenagers their age and all the drama! But this book also has comics in it!!!. Reviewed by Breanne McKinley, April 2010

"A modern faerie tale" by Holly black

Copyright 2005

I read the series "A modern faerie tale". I enjoyed it a lot. After the first few chapters it pulled me in and I really got into it. I definitely kept me guessing through all fo the books and the conclusion to each srory really surprised. I definitely liked the ending of the last book. I'm hoping that maybe she will come out with afourth. i rellay enjoyed the whole series it was really good and I would recommend it to people. Review by Jessica Rouleau, April 2010.

"Shiver" By Maggie Stiefvater

    Published in 2009, Shiver is a compelling novel of true love that not even nature can destroy. It starts with a young woman named Grace. Ever since she was young, she has watched the wolves in the wood behind her yard, but only from a distance. During one of the coldest winters in years, young Grace was pulled from her tire swing by the wolves. After being torn apart for what seemed like an eternity, somehow she was back at her house. Ever since, she has watched. All of the wolves fascinate her, but always one in particular. Her wolf, her yellow eyed wolf.

    Sam has been watching Grace from the woods for years, but only in the winter. When the temperature drops, Sam becomes a wolf. This is his last year. He knows that this is his last chance to be with Grace. He tells her all about his life as a wolf, and they truly fall in love. But winter is closing in, and fast. Can Sam and Grace find a cure before it's too late? Or is Sam destined to be a wolf for the rest of his life?

    Shiver is a great read that will keep you turning pages until the end. Everyone can appreciate the way Stiefvater shows both Sam and Grace's point of views to help the reader get the most out of their story.  I would recommend this book to young adults. Reviewed by Amanda Lawson, March, 2010.

"My Most Excellent Year" by Steve Kluger.

It is a fiction romance book, and I am really enjoying it. The book is about 3 people Alejandra (Ale) Perez Anthony C (T.C.) Keller and Augie Hwong. There are only three loves in T.C's life the RedSox, his father, and best friend and unofficial brother Augie. But when freshmen year came he falls head over heals for Ale Perez. Ale is pretty,sassy, smart and a great dancer she's playing hard to get. But Ale doesn't realize that she might be head over heals for T.C. Augie is an American Born Chinese (ABC). She loves musicals and old screen sirens such as Judy Garland. Augie is head over heals in love with Andy Wexler. It is told in alternating perspectives this is their story of their most excellent year. These friends discover themselves, love and that a little magic and Mary Poppins can go a long way. I would recommend this book who likes romance. Reviewed by Brianne Andrews, March 2010

 Playing Without The Ball" by Rich Wallace, copyright in 2000.

Anybody that loves sport and the love of basketball should read this book. It's about a girl that plays another girl who she has never met and plys a game against her with a few other players and they go back and fourth playing and seeing who is the better girl. They go back and fourth and talk to each other and become good friends and start hanging out more. Parts of the book are on the court, the two girls hanging out, and struggling with difficulties and getting ready for the regular season to start.

Reviewed by Caleb Stanley, March 2010.

Cracker: best dog in Vietnam

by Cynthia Kadohata

Copyright 2007

THe story starts out at a little boy's house named Willie. He got Cracker from his uncle who bout the dog as a puppy and raised it to race but a leg injury has prevented the dog from doing that. Now that Willie has moved to an apartment his parents force him to get rid of the dog. So he donates him to the US Army where Cracker meets a 18 year old man named Rick Hanski. They become great partners and help hundreds of soldiers in Vietnam.

Reviewed by Chris Glidden, Feb 2010.

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