Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

This book science fiction book is set in a future dystopian world. Living in a world full of gorgeous people, everyone normal is considered ugly. Tally Youngblood is super excited to get her operation to turn pretty on her sixteenth birthday. Being pretty means joining her best friend Peris, who turned pretty before her. It also means living in New Pretty Town with other beautiful people, attending in parties, and doing awesome things, such as bungee jumping. Then Tally met Shay, a mysterious girl who doesn’t want to turn pretty. Shay thought that all the pretties looked the same, and she didn’t like to think of normal people as “uglies”. Shay decides to escape from the city to the outside world to join some of her friends who left earlier. Tally, whose operation was cancelled because of her friend’s disappearance, was forced to find Shay in order to turn pretty.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Every girl dreams of being a princess. Having their own Cinderella fairytale moment with Prince Charming. But there are other parts of the Cinderella story that people take for granted. The cruel parts. The hard work and constant put down. These parts make up Cinder, a fantasy novel by Marissa Meyer, based off the Cinderella story.  Cinder and her family live in New Beijing, the “capital city of the commonwealth”. In Cinder, the plague has slowly taken over most of her country, including the emperor. The disease is spreading and now her beautiful home country is slowly dying.  “For half a step, New Beijing Palace could be glimpsed between complexes, sprawling and serene on a cliff that overlooked the city. The palace’s pointed gold roofs sparkled orange beneath the sun, the windows glinting the light back at the city. The ornate gables, and tiered pavilions that teetered dangerously close to the cliff’s edge, the rounded temples stretching towards the heavens.” This is Cinder’s world. This is the world where everything and everyone is dependent on androids and technology. Join Marissa Meyer and Cinder on their journey as they realize that no one is who they say they are. Along the way, Cinder learns who she really is…and how she’ll save the world.

Every book has that one character who is hated, the one person who you just want to disappear. In Cinder, this character’s name is Queen Levana, and her kingdom of rule? The moon. Her citizens are Lunars, or in other words, brainwashers. The pacing of the book revolves around this villain, and her ploy to gain reign of Earth. Every book needs an antagonist, and although we hated Queen Levena, the book wouldn’t have been very interesting without her.  We love the way Marissa Meyer creates her characters and recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction novels set in the future.

Allie Stibler and Jackie Zak

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Ungifted is a realistic fiction story about a kid who gets in trouble at school. but instead of getting suspended, he is moved to a school for gifted students. At this schols, he meets new and mind blowing smart kids. These kids are not ordinary, they are geniuses and that is why there is a schools devoted to only these students. This was one of my favorite books. It was full of laughs, drama, and seriousness, but overall this was an amazing book. I would recommend this book to ANY student. It is great from any student who likes to read books about school, students, pranks, and much more. I would rate this a 9.4 out of 10 stars. It is not a perfect 10 because it was so good that, when I was so hooked in, it ended! But overall I suggest that you give this book a chance. You will definitely not regret it.

The main reason I loved this book was because it was easy to relate to and you could picture what was happening in your mind. It was like the book was a movie. I do not want to give too much away, but this book has a very big surprise. So, you have you read it if you want to find out.☺

Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan

High school student, April Corrigan, has a perfectly normal life. In fact, better than most. She has a handsome boyfriend, lots of tennis friends, and a fine family. Except that her father has supposedly worked undercover for the F.B.I. and is now a witness to a huge drug crime. But, it seems to be worse than expected. Someone shot a gun, barely missing her father, as he was testifying. April’s life is about to change completely. Having to run away from her hometown, then joining a witness protection program, everything in April’s life is about to be gone. A killer is seeking out the family as they’re on the run. Will April accept a new life, or will her and her family be in grave danger? Read this book to find out.

This book is one of the most suspenseful novels I’ve ever read. Which is saying alot. Although having a simple plot, I was reading on my bed, biting my fingernails, shaking. Before reading this book, I always wondered, “How can a book be scary?” The main part of a horror movie is the music, but a book can’t have that! Well, Lois Duncan proved that books can be just as scary as movies. My opinion on the main character, April, was that she is very snobby. She made naive mistakes, just for her social life, that could’ve killed her family. But then again, if I was in her position, the book would be about a little boy crying, the entire time. I loved how the book progressively made the situation worse and worse. For example, just hiding at a hotel for a weekend, to completely having a new identity at the end. This book is also not about a killer seeking the family. It’s mainly the family just adapting to new situations. I believe this is a great twist on a regular scary story. The fact that April has to slowly lose everything, made this book twice as sad and scary. Overall, it’s a little more than 200 pages that excite, suspense, and make you cry.

By Allen Sha

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Drannan

Jessica Carlisle is a high school track star until a tragic bus accident causes her to lose her right leg.  Jessica’s leg isn’t the only thing that’s crushed, but her self esteem as well. She doesn’t want to see anyone and is depressed, but she needs to adjust. Eventually, she has to go to go to school, but she’s not sure if she’s ready for this new life.  Her team mates start a fundraiser to help her run again and meanwhile, she meets a friend with cerebral palsy that she never seemed to notice.  Through pain and struggles, Jessica wonders: Will she ever run again?

We loved this book because it was very inspirational, and eye opening.  It taught us to always move forward and to not dwell on the past.  In almost every chapter, there was a surprise that made you want to keep reading and never stop.  Everything was so well written that you felt like you were right next to Jessica the whole time, and you felt the same pain as her.  We highly recommend this book to everyone, we promise you will enjoy it.  Sprint to your nearest book store, and pick up a copy of The Running Dream, and you’ll be swept away!

Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper

The story Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper has created an AMAZING book! Out of my Mind is about a girl named Melody has a special disability (cerebral palsy) that she can’t talk, walk, or write; basically she can’t function like normal kids her age. Melody is an outsider in her own school class.All her thoughts are stuck in her head unable to be communicated.

All these thoughts are making Melody go OUT OF HER MIND!!! In 5th grade something incredible happens that changes her life forever; she is finally able to communicate. Plus, she has made a real friend! Make sure to pick this inspirational book at the library today!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

When Miranda’s best friend Sal is punched and shuts her out of his life for what seems like forever, all she wants to know is why. To bad she is busy helping her mom win the game $20,000 Pyramid. With all this on her plate, everything seems like it couldn’t get any worse, but it does. Strange notes and random disappearances lead her to believe that not everything is as it seems. How do these random notes lead to Sal? Who is stealing things from Miranda and her family? Get ready to have your mind blown by When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

This book was astonishing in many aspects. The suspense and secrets lead you to want to keep reading until the shock at the end that changes everything. Although I had read it two years before this moment, it was so enjoyable that a lot of the information stayed with me. Rebecca Stead is a fabulous author that will hopefully continue to write so people like me can enjoy life more.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

No one remembers.  No one knows what’s out there.  They only know one thing: run.  Solve the maze.  Thomas is lifted to the Glade in a metal Box.  When he reaches the surface, he wishes he didn’t.  A group of teenage boys wait for him.  He doesn’t remember his parents, his friends.  He only remembers one thing: his name.  He is surrounded by huge stone walls, which he is told is a part of the maze.  As he learns the Gladers’ way of life, he becomes even more curious.  No one has ever survived a night in the maze, because of deadly creatures called Grievers.  So when two of his friends are struggling to make it back into the Glade after a day of running, he loses his head and runs into the maze and seemingly dooms himself to a fate worse than death.  But will his wits and strength keep him alive?  Will he survive a feat that no other Gladers have ever lived?  And even if he does live, how will the Maze be solved after years of searching?  Read the Maze Runner, by James Dashner, to find out.

The Maze Runner is an exhilarating book that is full with suspense.  It is a dystopian fiction novel that is perfect for anyone who is looking for a shot of adrenaline.  I recommend it to tweens and teens who are looking for a good book to movie transformation and an all-around good book.

-Rebecca Thomas

Every Soul A Star by Wendy Mass

This summer was going to be the worst for three abnormal teenagers. Ally, a girl who lived on a campground her whole life, is finally moving into civilization. Bree, the normal popular girl who relies on her social life is forced to spend the rest of her life at Camp Moon Shadow. Jack, an overweight and unsocial kid, loves art, but science, not so much. This summer he was offered to join a science trip instead of going to summer school. When these three teenagers lives clash they realize that friendship doesn’t have to categorized. This eclipse will make 3 complete strangers into the best of friends.Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass a realistic fiction book, is a great book for tweens that feel out of place and just need a “happy ending” novel.

This book is a funny story on friendship. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages and genders. This book is great fun read and is quick for kids who don’t like reading. It’s a nice sweet story that tells a story. Wendy Mass is an amazing author and all her books are great.

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Running out of Time is about a young girl named Jessie who lives with her family in Clifton, Indiana in the 1800’s.  When a strange illness wipes the town Jessie’s mom tells her a REMARKABLE secret! It turns out Clifton is a tourist site made up in a huge dome the catch is no one knows this secret. the tourists can only see in the citizens can’t see out. Jessie’s task is to sneak out into the outside world to get medicine that can cure the lives of the citizens in Clinton. Jessie has a set amount of time before people of Clinton Die.Beyond the dome there it looks like a strange threatening, and strange planet to Jessie. So will Jessie get the life saving cure, or will she run out of time?

I liked this book because it might seem like a regular book but, what truly is inside the book is what really pops. Running Out of Time is suspenseful, and anticipation. I recommend this book to everyone because it has action and adventure and if you have never read this type of book how about you try something new!

BY: ADDISON KING

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

Got Zen? Use your Buddha radar to reach and read this amazing book, Zen and the Art of Faking It  by Jordan Sonnenblick! San Lee is an average teenager, or at least he wants to be. After his father is put behind bars, San and his mother are dirt poor and forced to move to a no-man’s-town in Pennsylvania. San faces that the odds are not with him that he will become ordinary. But what about extraordinary? San decides to fake his past and pretend he is a zen master. Being a zen master has perks, but leads to disaster. San has barely any knowledge about zen and Buddhism! From a girl San is trying to impress with his act to a basketball game that goes terribly wrong, San discovers the true meaning of being yourself and the consequences of lying.

My review of Zen and the Art of Faking It is five stars! Jordan Sonnenblick has the humor, lesson and just plain ol’ awesomeness you want to read! My favorite part is probably towards the end, but I can’t tell you how it ends (unless you got candy in your pocket you can bribe me with…)! So go to the library to check out Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick!

By: Bookworm05

Hidden Talents by David Lubar

Martin Anderson is bad. He can’t help talking back to teachers and getting them angry with him. Martin’s parents send him to Edgeview Alternative School, the last stop on the road for delinquents. Martin meets some friends at the school, all the school’s outcasts. Martin realizes something, though - all of his friends have special talents. Follow the team throughout this amazing experience they share, one that was supposed to be that end, but turned into the beginning.

I really loved this book A LOT! I would give it 4 stars and seven eighths of a star. Just kidding, it deserves five. Make sure to pick up this book at your local (or school!) library or book store! Thanks for reading this review! I hope you enjoy Hidden Talents by David Lubar.                    

Elephant Run by Roland Smith

Living in London during World War II seeing your apartment on fire is quite a devastating sight. Nick Freestone is living with his mom until it is too dangerous. When he arrives in Burma, Nick realizes that it could be more dangerous than living in London. When the Japanese invade, the Burman Maya, and Nick try to get to India and then sailing to Australia. When they are on there way to India, something goes terribly wrong that changes their plans. Nick’s dad is taken as a prisoner, and the rest of them Maya and Nick have to work as slaves. Nick and Maya think of ways to sneak out of being a slave then to free Mr. Freestone with the help of Hilltop a mahout (elephant trainer). To find out what happens to them read Elephant Run by Roland Smith.

I would recommend this book because it was really enjoyable, it had suspense, and had lots of surprising twists. Although the genre is historical fiction, it really feels like you are a character in the book. Reading this book, you will learn about the culture of the Burmans, including the language, the way they live, and a little about the land of Burma. Read a chapter of this book, and you’ll be hooked!   

   

• Claire