Maximum Ride The Final Warning

Maximum Ride The Final Warning by James Patterson [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

The fourth installment in the Maximum Ride series disappointed me… a lot. James Patterson has slowly been going downhill with his writing for this series. There is basically no plot- it’s just a global warming advertisement. The characters are not portrayed as themselves and it’s pretty messed up. If you are a fan of the series, then read it because there’s a opening left for book 5, but be prepared to be disgusted.

The Battle of the Labyrinth

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan  [YA Fiction]

by Jessica, 6th grader

This is the fourth book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Luke has finally gotten together enough monsters to attack Camp Halfblood. He plans to invade the camp by using an underground maze called the Labyrinth. Percy has to get to the center of the maze first to stop Luke, but the maze is constantly changing and there are monsters around every turn. Can Percy save Camp Halfblood AND the rest of the world?

The City of Ember

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau  [J Fiction]

by Aziza, 6th grader

This book was such a joy to read, and is one of my favorites. The author created such a clever story that it really kept me reading. I loved every sentence of this novel, and if you enjoy adventurous books, then this is certainly the one for you! At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read The City of Ember, but after the first chapter, I was hooked! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

High Rhulain

High Rhulain by Brian Jacques  [YA Fiction]

by Sage, 6th grader

Tiria has a dream about Martin and sets out to find Green Isle. Green Isle is ruled by Wild Cats and the Otters are trying to take it back from them.  Tiria and the Otters make a plan to to run the Wild Cats out of Green Isle forever!

Hawksong

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes [YA Fiction]

by Jeana, 9th grader

At the ripe old age of 19, Atwater-Rhodes is already a huge success, being a very capable writer- and she keeps improving. Hawksong offers a fresh, original idea. Well, maybe not the most “original” idea, but she applies her own concepts and twists. The two races of of Shapeshifters (Avian and Serpiente) have their own cultural characteristics, and so, not only is it interesting to read about the complications between the two main characters, but the background information and actual story is very intriguing. I recommend it to anyone who wants a quick interesting read.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson  [YA fiction]

by Meghan, age 12

“Do not put this book down. I’m dead serious- your life could depend on it. I’m risking everything by telling you- but you need to know. -Max”  Her full name is Maximum Ride. She’s 98% human. The other 2%? Bird. Yes, bird. And she can fly. After escaping a horrible “school”, she and the rest of her gang, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel settled in a small house in the mountains. What is the “School”? It’s a secret facility in Arizona. Scientists, or “whitecoats” as Max calls them, mix human and animal genes to make half animal half human freaks. Max and the gang lived there all their lives- stuck in cages, no parents, and always being tested- that is, until they escaped. Now back in the school, captured by fierce Erasers (half wolf, half human), that’s when Max finds her destiny- she has to save the world.

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan [YA Fiction]

by Jessica, 6th grader

This book is about a young half blood named Percy. A half blood is some one who is half god and half human. Percy and his friends have to go on an amazing mission. It keeps you wanting to read, so pick up a copy now!

by Marina, 9th grader

This book has won many awards, but not all are deserved. It seemed exactly like the “Harry Potter” series and not very original to me. It’s good for younger kids, but not a great read.

Fairest

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine [J Fiction]

by Christine, age 17

Fairest is a companion book to “Ella Enchanted”. Some of the characters are briefly mentioned, but the book takes place in the neighboring country of Ayortha, so there is not much overlap except for the character Areida. The plot is very interesting, filled with adventure and fantasy. However, the love story part seems like an afterthought. One minute he loves her (after just meeting her), then he hates her, and didn’t even defend her when she was unjustly accused, and then out of the blue he loves her again. It just seemed forced. Other than that, this book was quite good- very well-written.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi  [J Fiction]

By Meghan, age 12

Join Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace in their spectacular adventure to protect “Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You”. Goblins, Elves, and magical creatures alike are out to get the the Guide and use the information to take over the world of “Faerie”. Can Jared, Simon, and Mallory protect the world of Faerie and find their long-lost uncle, Arthur Spiderwick? I loved this series so much because it is filled with suspense and excitement- you won’t want to put it down!

A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray  [YA Fiction]

By Abi, 8th grader

Gemma Doyle is a 16-year-old girl who has a secret that only a few people know. She’s a member- the only member- of a secret order. In other words, she’s a witch! Some people want her power and will do anything to get it. With a boarding school full of secrets, and an addict for a father, what is Gemma going to do?