Baby Happy, Baby Sad

Baby Happy, Baby Sad, by Leslie Patricelli [J board books]

by Christine, 12th grader

A good book overall. Baby was happy, baby was sad. I laughed, I cried. It moved me. For mature readers only.

Slaughterhouse Five

Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. [adult fiction]

by Refund, 10th grader

Before I start, let me say this really isn’t a book for kids. Slaughterhouse Five is a classic by Kurt Vonnegut, about little Billy Pilgrim, who’s unstuck in time. We follow Billy Pilgrim and his life, from being a prisoner of war in World War II to Billy being abducted and put on display on Tralfamadore. In essence, it’s an anti-war book, but it delves much deeper than that. It’s also a book about time, death, and poses interesting questions. How much should people rely on fate, and when should people take free will into their own hands. Vonnegut’s writing style is, as always, quirky without sounding too pretentious. I recommend it to anyone who wants to read an interesting social commentary, or a book you really have to sink your brain into to read.

Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want

Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want, by Obert Skye [YA Fiction]

by Jessica, 7th grader

*Spoiler Alert!*

Leven has been through a lot. He had to save Geth, kill Jamoon, run from a secret and get winter back. He was able to complete all but one of these tasks. At the very end of book 2, the secret whispers to Leven. Now he has to get the secret before it whispers to everyone. But of course he has more to do. Geth and Winter get kidnapped and the Dearth is coming to help take over reality. The dearth is sinking Lith and having the people who he has turned evil gather an army. A war is about to break out and Leven has to make the decision to save or ruin Foo. Can he do it? This book is not the best so far but still holds a lot of valuable information for the series so don’t forget to read it!

Eclipse

Eclipse, by Stephenie Meyer [YA Fiction]

by Meghan, 7th grader

In this thrilling 3rd book of the Twilight series, Bella is pulled deeper into the secret world of vampires. When an army of vampires created by Victoria threatens Bella and all of Forks, the Cullens and the werewolves must form an alliance to defeat the army of vampires. I loved this suspenseful book. It’s a great read!

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe [adult fiction]

by Alex, 10th grader

Things Fall Apart is an interesting novel. When broken down it is not an exceptionally good story. The main character doesn’t change throughout the whole book, and is a despicable person. There is no standard plot, it’s almost like a real life story, rather than a typical buildup –> climax –> wind-down, hero vs. villain story common in Western literature. Okonkwo is almost an anti-hero and the whole story is about how much his life sucks. It goes against Aristotle’s “basically good man” as described in “The Poetics.” There is no villain, just one messed up person against the world. Yet somehow, I really like the book, I figure out why, but it’s good.

Punk Rock Etiquette: the ultimate how-to guide for punk, underground, DIY, and indie bands

Punk Rock Etiquette, by Travis Nichols [YA nonfiction]

by Marina, 10th grader

Punk Rock Etiquette is a hilarious guide to being a punk rock star. It has great illustrations and the author has worked with Nickelodeon and in plenty of bands himself. Even if you’re not planning to ever join a band yourself, it’s a great book to read. I loved it.

New Moon

New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer [YA Fiction]

by Aziza, 7th grader

After reading New Moon, I can see why many would be disappointed with parts in the book. But, when Edward left, I enjoyed learning more about Jacob Black. He gave a new feel to the book. Although, I do admit I wanted to scream at the book for allowing Edward to leave, and yet, it made me only want to read more. I think that even if you find New Moon a disappointment, when you finish it, you’ll be glad you did. I sure was.

by Jessica, 7th grader

This tragic sequel to Twilight starts with a bang. Within the first five chapters I was in tears, but don’t be afraid:  it doesn’t stay sad for long. Be sure to read this wonderful book and the ones that follow!!

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, by James Patterson [YA Fiction]

by Christine, 12th grader

Daniel X was a fun read. It is your typical teen sci-fi novel, but with Patterson’s style. Patterson, the author of the amazing Maximum Ride series, has a way of imbuing a story that could be cliche or boring with entertaining humor and the occasional twist. Daniel X is about a boy who has the power of creating things by mentally rearranging the molecules. He is an orphan and an alien, and his destiny is to protect Earth by defeating all the evil aliens on the List of Alien Outlaws. Though not quite up to the Maximum Ride standard, Daniel X was a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Patterson’s other YA books.

Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissinger [adult nonfiction]

by Sage, 7th grade

Friday Night Lights is about a high school football team that went to the playoffs and lost in a tight game to the Midland Lee Rebels, stopping the Permian Panthers from making it to the state championship. I love this book, but this book is for mature people.

Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli [YA Fiction]

by Megan, 7th grader

Maniac Magee was about this boy who didn’t have any home. So he lived outside all alone. And then one person adopted him. I really liked the book.