Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne

The story, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, is about a young 9 year old boy named Bruno. Bruno is forced to move out of his house in Berlin to another housed called "Out-With." At Out-with Bruno notices that out of his window there is a large fence that goes on as far as he can see. After figuring out that Bruno is going to be living at Out-with for a while he decides to go exploring. As he is exploring he finds a boy named Shmuel on the opposite side of the fence. Day after day Shmuel and Bruno sit and talk. One day Bruno discovers that he, his mother, and older sister are moving back to Berlin while his father stays at Out-with to work. Bruno tells Shmuel the bad news, and they decide to play together before Bruno has to go. Read to find out what happens to Bruno and Shmuel on their last day together.

-Brittany W.

Friday, October 9, 2009

City of Bones

City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare

When Clary Fray and her friend Simon go to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, Clary starts to see people that no one else can see. Clary follows one of them into a storage room and she finds out that there are more of them. Next thing you know, she witnesses a murder, but the victim was actually a demon. The teens that killed it had odd markings on their skin and their names where Jace, Alec, and Isabelle. This is Clary's first encounter with the Shadowhunters who are demon killers. The weird thing is that only Clary can see them, so that means that she suddenly has the Sight. Soon after, Clary's mother is captured by the evil Valentine and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. The Shadowhunters want to know what is going on.
This novel is good for people who like mysterious things and a little bit of romance, but with bloodshed. The only thing that I don't like about it is that it is in third-person point of view and I would like it if it were in Clary's point of view. The reason for that is because she is the main character. Everything else is great to me, but you have to read it for yuorself so you have your own opinion.

-Emilio B.

Blood is Thicker

The short novel Blood Is Thicker is about a 16-year-old boy named Hakeem, who discovers his dad has cancer. His dad can no longer work because he's so weak. Hakeem's family can no longer afford their home in Calafornia, so they move to stay with Hakeem's Aunt Lorrianne, Uncle James, and cousin Savon, in Detroit. Hakeem and Savon used to play together when they were younger, but Savon has changed. He has been coming home late, and hanging out with weird friends. Hakeem wants to know what he's doing.
This is a mysterious novel and can also get sad at some points. Hakeem has many emotions in the novel. He calms himself down when playing his guitar. Playing his guitar is also how he made his first friend in Detroit. Anika. He and Anika are friends, but then Anika moves away. Hakeem is not alone though. You'll have to read to find out why!

-Legacie B.

Bud, Not Buddy

The book "Bud, Not Buddy" is about a little African American boy. His mother died when he was six years old, and his father left before he was born. After his mother died, he want to the foster home. He was adopted 4 times and sent back 3 times.The last family he went to was an All-American family. Well, after he got packed up to go ot his new family, he found a flyer of a group band and< the guy playing the cello, he thought was his father. So, after Bud escaped his adoptive parents and son's house, he ran away to Illinois, where he had to jump a train. When he was there, he went to a library and remembered a librarian who helped him a lot. Bud went there and asked the new librarian what happend to the old one. The new librarian said that she wasn't there anymore and had moved to Chicago, was married, and had a kid. Bud was shocked when he heard the news. After a while, he was going on the streets trying to get to Calafornia to see his dad. A car passed Bud and he got a lift from Mr.Lewis. Mr.Lewis was donating blood, and when he got Bud, he thought he was a vampire. So bud quickly locked the door and and grabbed his pocketknife from his suitcase that he had brought. Mr.Lewis told Bud to open the door, but he wouldn't because he thought Mr.Lewis would take his blood. So after a while, Mr.Lewis said he wasn't a vampire and he would explain everything if Bud just opened the door. But, Bud decided not to open it until Mr.Lewis bribed him with food. Bud was hungry so he agreed. After that Bud and Mr.Lewis went to Calafornia and outside Bud's dad's band house. You've got to read the book to find out what happens next!

-Nancy D.

The Forbidden City

I thought the book, The Forbidden City, was a great book. It was about a boy named Alex, and his father, Ted. They go on a business trip to Bejing, China. When the arrive, they are greeted by a chinese man named Lao Xu. While of their trip, Alex, his dad, and Loa Xu stay at "The Bejing Hotel". At the hotel, a man named Eddie Nowlan, who will be working with Alex's father is also staying with them at the hotel.
Alex notice's China time is VERY different than Canada time. After a few days in Bejing, he starts to learn a little bit of the Chinese language. If you want ot find out what happens to Alex, read The Forbidden City by William Bell.

-Ryan R.

Eclipse

The book "Eclipse", is a book you'll never forget! This amazing author, Stephenie Meyer, captures peoples' hearts and never lets go. "Eclipse" involves a deep relationship between a vampire boy and an ordinary girl, and the way they risk their lives for one another. Once you read this book, it will make you laugh, maybe even cry, and make your heart stop. It also helps you understand the bond between love and friendship. Hope you enjoy it and get a bite out of it!
At first when I got this book, I thought it would be boring, and all about how the vampire attacks this person, and so on and so on. But when I opened this book, I realized it was much more than that. So next time you're at the library, pick up this book and tell me if you like it or not! Fang you later!

Black Duck

The novel Balck Duck by Janet Taylor Listle, makes history seem so close thay you could almost reach out and touch it. This novel is inspired by very real accounts of the Balck Duck, a legendary rum-runningboat taht worked the New England shores. When two bys find a dead body in an evening suit washed up on the shore, they are certain that it had to do with liquor. It is spring in 1929, and a lot of the community in involved in this situation. Rueben, one fo the voys, meets the captain of the Black Duck, the most elusive smuggling craft of them all, and it isn't long before he's keeping dangerous company.
I really enjoyed reading this book. You will experience a lot of emotions. It will make you laugh, make your heart skip a beat, or maybe even cry at some times. Most historical books may be boring, but this award-winning author makes sure you will fall in love with this story. I really enjoyed reading a novel and I am sure you will to!

-Gabrielle M.

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

This book is about a girl named Cammie who wants to have a normal life, but that's not possible because she's a spy! She goes to Gallagher Academy and is a CIA legacy. At her school (all girls), danger seems to follow. The school is going to host some mysterious guests which leads to trouble. The stakes for Cammie's school are higher than ever!
I thought this book was mysterious yet exciting. It ahd a great plot and fantabulous characters. The story went well with me because i'm a girl, and this book (I think) is for girls. The story makes you read the pages really fast and you don't want to stop reading! This was a really great book!


-Ahmaya S.