Trial by Fire

Trial by Fire captivated my attention and I could not stop reading it! I found it interesting the way the supernatural world was portrayed. The book was not like any other book about werewolves I've read and I loved it!!!

Katrina, 13

The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless

The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless by Allan Woodrow is really interesting because the story has a twist in it. It is about a boy named Zachary who looks like the nicest boy, but he is not. He fills a giant inflatable fish with mustard, and it pops and mustard flies everywhere. He is tricky and manages to get out of trouble. 

Conrad, 8

Circle of Secrets

Circle of Secrets was a mysterious book. I really like how the author makes the girl who is a ghost seem so real, and how time is used. The title still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but I think that the title is referring to the charm bracelet that is an heirloom in the main character’s family. I think how blue bottles were used was very clever. Although, I’m not sure I’d recommend this book to my friends because I think that some kids would find that a ghost-mystery genre was strange.

Allison, 11

Fins Are Forever

Fins Are Forever is a really interesting book! I would recommend it for children / teens from the ages of 10-16. I would definitely put the book out for sale. I loved how the plot was both realistic and a love story.

Victoria, 13

The Aviary

The Aviary is about a girl who isn't aloud outside her family property. Her mother is the caretaker of the house, but when the owner dies the girl finds some mysterious things. She talks to her (forbidden) friend about it and they try to figure out the mystery. A little afterward, the birds in the aviary start  talking, but only to her. Overall, The Aviary is a GREAT book. I recommend it to people who like mysteries and or unnatural happenings.

Fiona, 11

Fly Trap

Fly Trap is a sequel to Frances Hardinge’s novel Fly by Night, and I found it every bit as engaging. This book is full of humor, while still dealing with some serious themes. I also liked the way in which the idea of the Beloved was further expanded from the previous book. Interesting character and unexpected plot developments will make you want to keep reading.

Jacob, 13

Blood

Blood takes the regular plot about the hunted being hunted (in this case a vampire) and does nothing with it. The only saving grace for the book could have been the way it was written, but I found the writing to be the thing that actually destroyed the book - it was awful. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Jenna, 15

Trial by Fire

Over all I enjoyed this Trial by Fire, but was confused (again!) because I didn’t read the prequel. It was hard to catch on to the plot, but once I did I read the book easily. It was forgettable though, so if you enjoyed the prequel I would recommend it, or if you just want a fun summer read. If you’re looking for something deeper, then you should skip this one over. 

Jenna, 15

The Unseen World of Poppy Malone: A Gaggle of Goblins

Poppy Malone, a girl 9 1/2 years old, sees goblins, but the rest of her family does not believe her. It is very stressing for Poppy, so she decides to prove it. She follows a goblin into a cave and there she finds a goblin village. She is so excited that by accident she gets captured. She is clever to set a trail to find her way out, but the goblins are clever enough to switch her trail so that she goes in a circle. When she finds out how the goblins find their way around, she gets an idea and finds her way out!

Lydia, 7

Doglands

Tim Willock's Doglands is an enjoyable read for anyone who may come across it. From a dog's perspective you really see just how silly we humans are, doing all of our human things. The story of the Doglands really has no comparison to any other I have read, most of those have been about humans from the age of ten to the age of twenty, so it was a bit different. As I said in my review of Dark Parties, do not read this if you are sensitive to violence, there are a few fights. But dogs will be dogs. Enjoy.

Jonak, 13

My Beating Teenage Heart

My Beating Teenage Heart is about two teens suffering from loss. Breckon’s little sister Skylar died just days earlier than when we find him. The other person, a girl named Ashlyn is suffering from a loss of a much different kind- her own life. As her soul follows Breckon through the days after his death she slowly remembers her own life and all that she has left behind and comes to understand the value of sticking with life no matter what it throws at you. Even though it was a bit slow at times I really loved this book and would recommend it to people who like books that make you think.

Jenna, 14

The Emerald Casket

I would recommend The Emerald Casket to my friends because it is a really good mystery and I couldn't put it down. I would recommend reading this author's first book (Billionaire's Curse) first. There are a lot of characters and key objects the are introduced in the first book that are important to understand in The Emerald Casket. The author added a lot of humor and suspense which I enjoyed.

Anna, 13

I'll Be There

I've never read a book that has been so directed at a young teenager's mood and someone who's dealing with belonging. It's romantic, frighting, saddening, adventurous, sweet and has an ending you think you can predict but surprises you. When I read the title, I'll Be There, I noticed it referred to a Michael Jackson song and was slightly put off by it. On reading, it's about a boy dealing with moving, lack of money and being sheltered from the world. He meets a girl who he falls for and introduces him to the outside world. I would recommend this to someone who likes the writing style of Twilight by Stephanie Myers, although the content is more serious and realistic fiction.

Rajani, 16

Blood Red Road

I loved loved LOVED Blood Red Road! It was one of my favorites that I have ever read. The tension was perfect, I fell into the story and never came out, until the end. I would definitely recommend it to people who like fantasy and action novels.

Jenna, 15