Book Review: UnWholly

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

I thought UnWholly, by Neal Shusterman, was going to start slow. I. Was. Wrong. It picked up so quickly and turned out to be even better than the first one! IT WAS SO FANTASTIC! :P

--Zach

Book Review: A Long, Long Sleep

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

This book was so much more than I asked for in a holiday read. I came to the library asking for it because two people said it was more than worth my time. They were right. This book invoked such emotion in me that I felt everything this girl felt. More than that I related to her, I was her, am her. This book brought every sort of tear to my eye that you can imagine, from shock, happiness, love, hurt, and simply, devastating heartbreak. You will marvel at the excitement of the twists and turns. And grow to love the characters like they are real, because for a time they are. This book will throw you into a world we can't imagine ever seeing but is all the same amazing in its futuristic beauty, filled with things all too human that will never change, some of them good, some bad. I will never forget this book and it will always be one of my favorites.

--Aubrey

Book Review: Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre made me tired, not because I didn't like it, but because I stayed up late and got up early to catch up for book club. Jane is a great character. She is extremely upright and is not afraid to hurt herself for the sake of her good morals. The ending is great and it goes just how I wanted it to.

-Zach

Book Review: Cardboard

Cardboard by Doug TenNapel

I love Cardboard by Doug TenNapel! Everything he writes is so compelling! He is so interesting because he isn't afraid to write about people who aren't terribly awesome! Everyone should read all of his books.

Hoorah, hoorah!

--Zach

Book Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

AWESOME BOOK!!!

I loved it! Full of adventure; if you like adventure, read this book. Katniss Everdeen's sister is drawn during the reaping. Katniss takes her sister's place. She has to prepare and train; she must also figure out how to keep from getting killed.

--Breanna

Book Review: Semper

Semper by Peter Dudley

Dane has spent his life being groomed to take his position as Semper of the post-apocalyptic community of Southshaw when his father retires. Sixteen years old and barely a man, he is pushed into the role by his father’s sudden death, just as he has begun to question the web of superstition that holds his people together. Upon Dane’s initiation as Semper, his treacherous uncle turns his people against him with lies and violence and forces him and his new wife into exile in the wilds outside Southshaw, dooming them to die of radiation poisoning—or so he thought. In fact, his community has hidden and ignored more than he could ever imagine, and it becomes vital for him to unravel the truth so he can save his people and rebuild life in a ravaged world.

When I was first offered this book, I was somewhat skeptical. Self-published books can often be unoriginal, filled with mistakes, and downright boring. Happily, this book is an exception to that trend. Semper is a thought-provoking, nail-biting read. It manages to be fast-paced and include lots of action without neglecting character development. Unlike most YA authors, Dudley is unafraid to challenge his readers with mature concepts of marriage, leadership, and hierarchy without subjecting them to inappropriate or graphic content. I found the tone, setting, and themes of this book were very different from mainstream YA, but it was a difference that I very much enjoyed. This book is appropriate for 12 and over content-wise, but I think that those 14 and older would more fully appreciate it.

--Magdalen

Book Review: Ratfist

Ratfist by Doug TenNapel

Anything by Doug TenNapel is always a good book. Ratfist is another one of the many amazing stories by him. It is a story in which the protagonist is a bad person. I love the way Doug TenNapel is unafraid to write about people who aren't wholesome. It was a fun book to read.

--Zach

Book Review: The Last Sin Eater

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

The Last Sin Eater was a weird book! I was confused about what was happening in the beginning, but overall the plot line and drama was pretty good. I felt really bad for the sin eater and his wife. I actually never knew she had a book because I watched the movie first.

--Heather

Book Review: So Far From the Bamboo Grove

So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins

This book was so good! I loved it so much. It was very sad as well. It's a book I would definitely enjoy reading again.

--H

Book Review: The Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

WARNING: This excellent review may spoil the plots of previous books in The Heroes of Olympus series. Read those books first!

This book was amazing! I would give it five stars! It's about seven demi-gods who fly off in a giant warship to uncover ancient relics, underground labyrinths, fight epic battles, and ultimately, save the world. The plot was fantastic. It kept me on the edge of my seat. At times, the suspense was almost unbearable. Other times, it almost made me want to cry (which I didn't do). Overall, an excellent read.

--Orpheus

Book Review: Case Closed

Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama

This was the very first manga I really got into and started to collect. In fact, the very first manga book I ever got was from this series! A forenote: the original title for this series is Meitantei Conan or Detective Conan. For copyright reasons they had to use Case Closed instead. Also, all the names have been "Americanized." Shuichi now Jimmy, Ran now Rachel, Kogoro now Richard, etc. 

The story follows teenage detective Jimmy Kudo, the modern day Holmes. One fateful day while at the amusement park, "Tropicla Land," with his childhood friend and crush, Rachel Moore, murder happens. Now then the actual case is solved rather quickly, but the problems for our young sleuth start afterwards when he sees some shady activity involving two men in black. Things turn sour when Jimmy is knocked unconscious and fed a mysterious poison that was supposed to kill him. Instead, when he wakes he realizes his body has been reverted to the age of an elementary schooler! With some help from his kooky neighbor and friend, Dr. Agasa, Jimmy takes the pseudonym Conan Edogawa. He moves in with Rachel, seeing as her father is a detective, it would give him more opportunities to find the men who did this to him. Body of a child and mind of a teenage detective, Jimmy Rudo leaves no case unsolved!

Rated Older Teen, from Viz Media.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Blue Exorcist

Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato

Rin Okumura was raised by a famous exorcist by the name of Fujimoto, alongside his younger fraternal twin Yukio. One fateful day he starts to see things that are naked to the average eye: demons. The same day Father Fujimoto is forced to reveal the horrible truth about Rin's lineage. He is the child of demon, the son of Satan himself. In a moment of emotional weakness, Fujimoto is possessed by the Devil. Even though Rin made sure the gate between the worlds didn't get breached, Fujimoto died. Now Rin swears to defeat his true father, but doing so means entering the suspicious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist. 

Rated Older Teen, from Viz Media.

--Martha Rose 

Book Review: Black Butler

Black Butler by Yana Toboso

Set in Victorian England, the story centers around the young Earl Ciel Phantomhive. Head of the successful Phantomhive family at the mere age of 12. There is also a shroud of mystery surrounding Ciel's own personal shadow, his butler, Ssebastian Michaelis. The tiny Early works as Queen Victoria's dog to uncover and take down the criminals of England's underbelly. Not to say there is no humor, the house's other servants make sure of that. Whether the gardener accidentally "broke" a tree, or the maid tripped and ruined all the plates, or the cook just decides to make a meal via blowtorch, their antics make you want to crack a smile. There are also the things far outside the norm, such as Death Gods, Devils, and Angels. 

Rated Older Teen, from Yen Press.

--Martha Rose

Book Review Bokuman

Bokuman, story by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata

It's a manga about creating manga. The main character is a pretty average guy who has a talent for drawing. His name is Moritaka Mashiro. Then when his fellow classmate, Akito Takagi finds out about his drawing, he begs him to team up and make a manga. At first, Moritaka is hesitant about seriously considering it, knowing how hard it is to actually become a professional. Still, with the persistent Akito and a little push of encouragement from his crush, Moritaka accepts.

Rated T for Teen, from Viz Media.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: Animal Land

Animal Land by Makoto Raiku

It's a whole new world where the only inhabitants are animals. Well, until Monoke, a tanuki, stumbles upon a baby human! While having no sharp teeth or claws surely needed in such a world, the child does have the ability to speak and understand all the different animals. The tanuki are a fun and silly bunch, yet it is still survival of the fittest. They are usually the target prey of many animals such as wildcats, wolves, and lions.

A cute manga with fun characters. Rated by Kodansha Comics as Ages 13+.

--Martha Rose

Book Review: When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This is probably my favorite book (depending on the day). If you don't like realistic fiction, read this book. It's still good. If you love realistic fiction, read this book. And then take a moment to wrap your mind about what you've just read when you're done.

This book is hilarious, an easy read, and I've never met someone who didn't like it. Now go, read it. I honestly don't know what else to say.

--A.


Book Review: Summerland

Summerland by Michael Chabon

"Don't judge a book by its cover." This phrase would definitely apply to Summerland. Now, this isn't the most upbeat book in the library, but it's far from the most boring.

 

This book starts out same old-same old with a boring character, and the plot may be somewhere along the lines of saving the/a world, but it's the journey (and the crazy characters) that set this book apart. Stick with the book and, I promise, the ending won't disappoint. At least it didn't disappoint me. Blame Michael if you don't like it, not me.

 

--A



Book Review: Mockingbird

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

This book is phenomenal.

If you're sad about somthing you'll easily relate to the character. If you aren't sad about something/someone you are.

This  book makes you laugh and cry. Not in a fantasy way. Legitimate feelings. Raw emtions.

Sometimes I feel like only childhood and tragedy can make us feel that...that closure.

This book is an easy read. It's plot is simple, but not easy.

--A



Book Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Take a moment to forget every good or bad thing you've ever heard about this trilogy. Seriously, do it.

This is a great book about a character you can probably relate to, her family, friends, and hard decisions.

Go pick up your copy of The Hunger Games,  go to a cozy spot you can read for a while (you won't want to put it down), and think about how much you love *insert noun*. Now, jsut read it and form your own opinion.

Why would mine matter to you?

--A