The City of Ember

The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau [J Fiction]

by Elizabeth, 7th grader

The City of Ember is an extremely good book. Years before, the town leaders had decided that the citizens of Ember should stay underground for 200 years. Ember was stocked with supplies and people were settled into the city. Many years later, the supplies are running out and the instructions for exit have been forgotten. Can Lina and Doon save the town in time?

Room One

Room One, by Andrew Clements [J Mystery]

by Trisha, 6th grader

I definitely recommend this book to all mystery fans. Although Andrew Clements mostly writes novels related to school, this book is mostly a mystery. This book is about a boy named Ted who loves to read and solve mysteries. One day, as he was delivering papers in his small hometown of Plattsford, Nebraska, he saw a face of a girl in an abandoned house. He knows he saw the face, so he wasn’t imagining this. Who is this girl? Why is she living there? Read this exciting novel to find out all your questions. I definitely recommend this book.

Inherit the Wind

Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee [adult nonfiction -- plays]

by Monica, 12th grader

This is a really short, historical fiction play about the Scopes Monkey Trial over evolution. I’m way too excited to write a long review, so suffice it to say that Inherit the Wind is absolutely wonderful. To be fair, I think you have to care about the debate over evolution to truly like this play. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this play (and the black-and-white movie, too). It’s incredibly clever and a real tribute to human thought.

How to Be Popular

How to be Popular, by Meg Cabot [YA Fiction]

by Melanie B., 10th grader

This book is about a girl named Steph who is unpopular all because of one stupid thing. She spilled a Super Red Gulp on her firned. Well…her used-to-be friend. Stephen finds a book in her best friend’s attic and it teaches her how to be popular….

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling [J Fiction]

by Ravi, 11th grader

It is a magical and heartwarming story which revolves around an orphan finding out about himself. Other themes include peer pressure, hatred, and acceptance.

A Solitary Blue

A Solitary Blue, by Cynthia Voigt [YA Fiction]

by Trisha, 6th grader

This book is about a boy named Jeff. When his mom leaves him when he is in second grade, he thinks his mom loves him. Several years later, she comes in contact with him. She invites him to her house. Soon, Jeff starts to realize that his mom doesn’t love him. In this book, Jeff learns what real love is all about. I definitely recommend this book.

The Cirque du Freak Series

The Cirque du Freak series, by Darren Shan [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 8th grader

The Darren Shan novels are well-known. Unfortunately, they’re awful. Darren, the narrator, is whiny and annoying. The books are extremely short and very predictable. 1/3 of the way through, you can predict EXACTLY what’s going to happen. They’re extremely boring.

I warn you. Don’t read them.

Ironweed

Ironweed, by William Kennedy [adult fiction]

by Monica, 12th grader

This is a fairly good book about a man named Francis Phelan, who has had something of a falling out with life. Ironweed (which won the Pulitzer Prize for Kennedy) follows Francis to the brink of disaster and then back to redemption. It’s an interesting book and, like other Pulitzer-Prize-winning books, it offers something different — and different is good.

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang [YA Graphic Novel]

by Wendy, 11th grader

I have always been a huge Amy Tan fan, so it’s no wonder that I jumped at the opportunity to read American Born Chinese (ABC), a graphic novel by Gene Yang. It explores three different stories about everything from a hilarious comedy featuring a living Asian stereotype to a retelling of the famous Chinese story of the Monkey King, all of which come together in the end. Those who are Asian, or who are familiar with Chinese customs, will wind up (like I did) exploding into laughter at some of the more subtle cultural jokes. If you love Amy Tan and are looking for something light-hearted, funny, but with a deeper and more serious message behind all the “me Chinese, me no joke” cracks, check it out.

Teen Idol

Teen Idol, by Meg Cabot [YA Fiction]

by Trisha, 6th grader

This book is about a high school junior named Jenny who writes the advice column for the school newspaper. When a famous popstar comes to her school under a disguise and asks Jenny to make sure no one finds out who he really is — Can she do it? Her best friend is one of his biggest fans and could recognize him from miles away. But soon, everyone finds out who is really is. All the paparazzi and fans come, and Jenny is caught right in the middle of it all. I really liked this book because it is really down to earth and Jenny sounds like a real girl. If you liked the Princess Diaries, you’ll love this book!