Our book review blog has been sadly neglected, so to get it going again I am offering the teens of the Starkville area a bribe: During the month of October, or as long as supplies last, you are invited to turn in book reviews for candy! If you are not a teen, but you want to bring me a YA book review, come by with your most convincing argument. We'll see.
THE RULES:
1. The book review must be at least five (5) sentences long and must include the name of the book and the author.
2. The book review must be of a book you've actually read recently.
3. The book review must be of a YA book. If you've read an adult or juvenile book that you think deserves a review spot on the blog, feel free to make your case.
4. You cannot turn in more than four (4) reviews a week.
5. These reviews must be legible, but they do not have to be typed.
6. These reviews must have your name on them in order for them to be posted. This does not have to be your full name, but completely anonymous reviews will not be posted.
7. You cannot turn in your reviews to anyone other than Anna Ruhs. This means that you cannot turn in your reviews during lunch, book clubs, or on Saturdays.
How could there be so many book covers for one book, and yet none of them portrays the castle properly? "Wizard Howl's castle was rumbling and bumping toward her across the moorland. Black smoke was blowing up in clouds from behind its black battlements. It looked tall and thin and heavy and ugly and very sinister indeed." -Howl's Moving Castle, "Chapter Two: In Which Sophie Is Compelled to Seek Her Fortune" "The castle was uglier than ever close to. It was far too tall for its height and not a very regular shape. As far as Sophie could see in the growing darkness, it was build of hugh black blocks, like coal, and, like coal, the blocks were all different shapes and sizes." -Howl's Moving Castle, "Chapter Three: In Which Sophie Enters Into a Castle and a Bargain"
(This one is actually Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Air in one volume.)
Ok, so, technically I've been cheating since Christmas.
To make it up to you, I'm going to tell you all about them! :D
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
FUN! In 1915 Sherlock Holmes meets 15 year old Mary Russell, a young woman who is newly orphaned, intelligent, and independent. Holmes takes her on as an apprentice, but the bond that forms between them could endanger their lives. Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Grahame-Smith tells of the secret war Abraham Lincoln waged against vampires and vampire-supporters. Learn of the evil plot to destroy mankind that nearly succeeded--and sent the United States into a violent Civil War.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Something odd is happening on Tiffany Aching's farm. A strange monster in the river tries to eat her and her brother, tiny blue-skinned men keep helping out at her farm, and her younger brother disappears. Tiffany sets out to rescue him--and comes to terms with herself along the way. The Song of the Whales by Uri Orlev *children's book
Michael doesn't fit in with other children. He prefers to spend his time with adults or alone with his collections. But when his family moves to Israel to ensure that they inherit from Michael's grandfather, Michael and Grandfather form a close bond--and Michael learns about a mystical family secret. Boom! by Mark Haddon
This book is fabulous. You should read it. That is all. The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba by Margarita Engle
Fredrika Bremer, Sweden's first woman novelist and early advocate of women's rights, spent 3 months in Cuba in 1851 and wrote about her experiences. The Firefly Letters is a beautiful verse novelization of Bremer's stay and of the contrasts she finds among the beauty of Cuba, the horrors of slavery, and the restricted existence of upper class women. Aren't you glad you know about these books?! (I'm sure glad you know!)
But don't worry, I've been reading graphic novels, too!
Warriors: Ravenpaw's Path
Books 1, 2, & 3
by Erin Hunter
Ravenpaw wants to enjoy life on the farm, but will his past leave him in peace?
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri
"You make it past 19 these days, you a senior citizen around here." Robert "Yummy" Sandifer was an 11-year-old kid from Chicago who shot and killed someone to impress his gang and move up in the ranks--but he killed the wrong person. Based on a true story and told from the perspective of a fictional classmate, this graphic novel deals with Yummy's last days and the impact his actions had on his community.
Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel
Awesome, awesome, awesome. Garth Hale is dealing with a lot. He never knew his grandfather, his father abandoned the family, and he's been diagnosed with an incurable disease. To top it all off, when Frank Gallows, a washed-up ghost wranger arrives to send a night mare to the ghost world, Frank accidentally sends Garth there as well.
.Hack//Legend of the Twilight written by Tatsuya Hamazaki and drawn by Rei Izumi
Twins Shugo and Rena won two limited edition character models of the legendary ".hacker" characters Kite and Blackrose. They use these characters to enter and play in "The World," the most advanced online game ever made. But when Shugo has a strange encounter with the mysterious Aura, The World becomes more than just a game.
Series In Process:
D. Gray-Man by Katsura Hoshino
Allen Walker is a born exorcist chosen to kill demons known as akuma. Together with other exorcists of the Black Order, Allen fights against the Millenium Earl, the evil being who creates akuma.
Ordinarily, I'm not drawn to exorcism-type stuff. But this isn't tremendously creepy, and I <3 Allen Walker.
Yu Gi Oh! by Kazuki Takahashi
Yugi is trying to solve the Millenium Puzzle, an ancient Egyptian artifact that he got from his grandfather. But what will happen when he solves it? Equally important: will he ever find any friends?
Ok, so, I totally judged this series based on the tv show. It's much better. While nothing may ever take Fullmetal Alchemist's place as my favorite, Yugi has managed to worm his way into my melodramatic little heart.
Ed and Al hope to learn from the "Sewing-Life Alchemist," a man who specializes in biological transmutation. But will anyone be safe from the mysterious killer who has begun murdering state alchemists? ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 3 by Hiroma Arakawa Ed and Al take a trip to their hometown with body guard Alex Louis Armstrong. But information they discover on their trip will send them to the most epic place of information ever: the LIBRARY. ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 4 by Hiroma Arakawa Ed and Al tracked down the secret lab that had information about the Philosopher's Stone, but will they survive what they discover there? ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 5 by Hiroma Arakawa Ed, Al, and Winry head south to seek out Ed and Al's master, and check out Rush Valley, one of the most advanced centers of auto-mail development in the country. ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 6 by Hiroma Arakawa Ed and Al tell their alchemist master their history. ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 7 by Hiroma Arakawa Al is lured into the underworld of Dublith--the Devil's Nest. What does this group of strange outcasts know? And what do they want from him? ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 8 by Hiroma Arakawa The battle continues in the Devil's Nest, but it seems that more is going on than meets the eye. (Do you get it? It's a clue! Look for the clue!) ***** Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 9 by Hiromu Arakawa Ed, Al, and Winry decide to head back to Central to continue their investigations--and catch up with some old friends. But they've got some unwanted tag-alongs from Xing: Lin Yao and his two followers. *****
I'm finally done with Negima! Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 22 by Ken Akamatsu To find all of his students and escape the magical world, Negi has to masquerade as an adult and find someone who will train him to be more powerful. But will the mysterious Rakan help him? And does Negi really want his help? *
Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 23 by Ken Akamatsu To defeat Fate, Negi has to make a serious decision--will he gain power at any cost? * Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 24 by Ken Akamatsu The Festival of Ostia makes the Mahora Academy Festival look like a kiddy parade, but will all of Negi's friends be able to arrive in time? * Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 25 by Ken Akamatsu Fate emerges--and offers Negi a tempting choice. Will Negi accept, and abandon the magical world to Fate's schemes? * Negima!?Neo Magister Negi Magi , Vol. 1 Story by Ken Akamatsu, Art by Takuya Fujima, Adaptation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley This series is basically an adaptation of the Negima!? anime, which is an adaptation of the Negima! manga. The first volume is very similar to the first volume of Negima!, with a bit more back story on Negi and a bit less fanservice. Also, the plot is simplified and accelerated, with some alterations on characters. The crisis to find Negi's father is definitely prevalent, but the evil that Negi fights is much less dark and ominous. --Negi Springfield is a new teacher at Mahora Academy's all-girl junior high. Unfortunately, he's only 10 years old! How will he become a great wizard like his father, and keep his magic a secret? * Negima!? Neo Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 2 Story by Ken Akamatsu, Art by Takuya Fujima, Adaptation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley Negi's getting a handle on teaching. But a new problem emerges: is the class in danger? Something is lurking in the shadows. The Chupucabra? A ghost? * Negima!? Neo Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 3 Story by Ken Akamatsu, Art by Takuya Fujima, Adaptation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley
Negi will do whatever it takes to become a powerful wizard. But is this really a good idea? *
Negima!? Neo Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 4 Story by Ken Akamatsu, Art by Takuya Fujima, Adaptation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley Negi's got trouble: Anya's attending his academy, and she's in his class! * Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa Trying to repair the damages in their past, brothers Ed and Al are searching to find the Philosopher's Stone. To achieve this goal, they've become agents of the government--state alchemists. But doing the military's bidding, and looking for the stone in the meantime, won't be easy, especially when their enemies are powerful--and ruthless. *****
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