Student Saturday: All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Source: Young Adult, Mystery
Student Reviewer: Paige H.

 I'm a DIEHARD Naturals fan. So, when I read All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, you knew I HAD to do a book report on it. "All In" is the third book from the Naturals series, and OH MY! This book was excellent. I also solved the mysteries with the characters while reading, keeping me on my toes the whole time. Like the plot twists! I was mentally pinning the points, thinking of what would happen next, like who would get hurt? What's this character going to do now? All that stuff. I felt very immersed in the book. Also, the character development in this book!! It was amazing; I learned more about Sloane, Micheal, Lia, and everyone. 

Man, this book was a fantastic read! In this book, "The Naturals" heads to Las Vegas to help solve a string of murders, but suspects don't pop up quickly, so this time, they really must dig for clues. Now, the ways the victims were murdered were typical, but for some reason, they have numbers or codes imprinted on their wrists. It's nothing like any cold cases the naturals have solved before. But wait, that's not all. For the first time in years, there's been a crack in her mother's murder case, which can change Cassie's view on everything. The tension is thick between the Naturals, and people's lives, including their own, are at risk. It is now indeed a race between time. Can Naturals solve this case? Cassie, the main character, is a profiler with a unique set of skills. Her orange hair and blue eyes are just the beginning. She deeply cares about everyone, but sometimes her emotions can cloud her judgment. Dean is also a profiler, and he's dating Cassie. He has blonde hair and hazel eyes. He can be pretty mysterious, but you can see him open to the group throughout the books. Sloane is the definition of an AI. She knows anything and everything, and she's fantastic with numbers. He has blonde hair and blue eyes, and she's a sweetheart. The case that the naturals are solving hits too close to home for her. Lia is a human lie detector; she can instantly identify any lie. She has monolids, black hair and dark eyes. She can be nice, but also very direct. Micheal is an emotional reader. Knowing this, he can hide his emotions well. He has brown hair and brown eyes; he's an extrovert at its finest. The Naturals stay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Where they stay in a fancy high-end hotel (Thanks to Micheal's money). The hotel is near different casinos and shops, which can help the Naturals relax while working on this case. 

To conclude, this book is hands down excellent. The plot twists, characters, everything. This book is PACKED with details, so I learned a lot! It's incredible how the author specializes explicitly in stuff like this. (while doing research I found an about the author on Goodreads) For example, the about her says, "Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (The study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006." So, this book was very descriptive; it made me even more obsessed! I give this book a solid 8.7 out of 10. I recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers or young adult books.

Student Saturday: Shell Shocked by Kathleen Welton

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery

Student Reviewer: Rylee P.

"Shell shocked is a book about an underwater problem,  an ocean mystery. The main character, Alex, and her friend Avery found a turtle with scars on its back on the celebration of Alexs job and her birthday. They found clues linking her family to the hurting and killing of these turtles, so she confronts them but nothing comes out from her parents. A few weeks later, her and Avery find cracked and broken hatchling eggs in the sand, now this was a problem. But, how were they going to solve it? What will happen to the turtles from now on? What are the people of the island going to think? Will they help save the turtles and their hatchlings?" If I were to give this book to an audience it would most likely be a crowd of 5-7th graders. due to its Mysterious theme, I think it would be of great help to people of that range who are looking to find more themes to read or a guide line to writing a story on a mystery. My opinion on this book is... it was a great book but I personally am not great with cliff-hangers in books and that's what had me on the edge of my seat with this book.

Student Saturday: The Silence by Mark Alpert

Genre:  Young Adult, Science Fiction

Student Reviewer: Graeme E.

The Silence, by Mark Alpert, is the third installment in “The Six” series. This book has everything you want in a science fiction book including a hypothetical situation using technology based on real life. The story takes place in Yorktown Heights with the main character named Adom Armstrong. You see, Adom is not like other kids. He has a disease called muscular dystrophy which means his muscles get weaker and weaker until he will eventually die. Thankfully though, Adom's dad is a scientist. He finds out a way to change Adom's mind into a machine. The procedure went well and Adom and the other 5 kids with life ending illnesses become pioneers, the first humans to have their mind fully transferred into a physical robot. Throughout the next two books, Adom and the other pioneers fight a corrupted AI called Sigma and eventually win the war. The third book, which is titled The Silence, takes place 6 months after their fight with Sigma. The pioneers eventually get a strange reading in the Atlantic Ocean. So, thinking it was Sigma, they went to check it out. But, what they find is much worse. Adom finds a perfect orb five thousand feet under the ground. What is strange about this sphere, is that the pioneers cannot find an end inside the sphere. The orb is nothingness. This means that there is nothing inside of it and there is no end to it. The last thing Adom saw after finding the orb was the digital code surrounding him as it came at him. Together, Adom and the other pioneers must learn, fight, and try to control the nothingness. 

I connected to this book because of my love of science and science fiction. It is interesting that scientists are getting close to understanding the brain and learning how to control it. It is for this reason that I really enjoyed reading all 3 books. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about science and adventure.

Student Saturday: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Student Reviewer:  Lexie L.

-300 years in the future, what we call the U.S.A today is now Panem. This story follows a 16-year-old girl named Katness Everdeen in district 12 of 13. However, district 13 was destroyed. Katness faces the struggles of Panem’s oppressive government and extreme poverty that came with it. Her hair is a deep brown, almost always in her signature braids, she has a narrow figure, and piercing gray eyes. She has a sister named Prim and she would protect her with her life, and she has. Katness learned from a young age how to use a bow, though against the law, to hunt food for her family beyond the fence of where the district was divided. This would come in handy later in her life. In this time period the capital of Panem would take one girl and one boy from each district and put them in an arena where they would fight to the death leaving one soul winner. This would happen once a year, every year. When Prim, Katness’s little sister, was old enough to participate in this “game” she was unlucky picked to compete. As soon as this happened Katness raised her hand and shouted at the top of her lungs “I volunteer. I VOLUNTEER AS A TRIBUTE!” She was then taken to the capital with a boy who was picked named Peta Melark. They were interviewed and asked question their entire stay at the capital. When in came to be the day of the games they all were released into the dome with the cornucopia in the center of the arena. Read the book to find out what happens once the games begin.

-I really loved the way the author portrayed the thoughts and feeling of the character using body language as a key factor to understand what a player’s demeanor was. All the intense detail and world building had me on the edge on my seat while reading this incredible story. It truly holds a deeper meaning and comments on our society today. I cried a lot while reading this book. Overall, this is a remarkable story for anyone who likes futuristic timelines, fear, drama, overthrowing oppressive governments, justice, etc.

-I highly recommend this book,

Student Saturday: Up From the Sea by Leza Lowitz

 

 

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Poetry
Student Reviewer: Soleil M

The book, "Up From the Sea" is about a tsunami hitting a town in Japan. Kai tryed to save his family from the massive devastation in his home. He was offered a trip to New York to meet kids that experineced 9/11. While Kai is in America, he decided to look for his American father that he hasn't talked to in years. While in America, Kai decideds to go back home and help rebuild his town.

I rate this book an seven out of ten. I found this book quite interesting and touching. I would recommend this book to ages ten and above. I have enjoyed reading this book and it also taught me about how tsunamis happen.

Student Saturday: If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

 

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Student Reviewer:  Sofia L.

Two best friends that both had feelings for each other, and they never said anything about it. They have known each other since they were little. Finny is quiet and does not share his feelings. Autum is the same, but she is a little more outgoing. They were both in relationships with other people. Autum and Finny live in Ferguson, Missouri, they are next door neighbors, their moms are best friends and always together so that means that Autum and Finny are always together, "The Mothers" as Autum calls them go on a vacation. Will Finny and Autum find out how they feel about each other, or will it be too late? 

Student Saturday: The Do Over by Lynn Painter

 

 

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction
Student Reviewer: Livi G.

The Do-Over was an overall enthralling rom-com that had many comical elements involved in the plotline yet serious topics that were artistically and beautifully executed throughout the book. This novel follows the talented, smart, goal-oriented, people-pleasing Emilie and her everyday life as the girlfriend of Josh (who is also very smart and talented), and what happens when she is stuck in a time loop of the day when he cheats on her on Valentine’s Day. With the repeating tragedy, Emilie tries with all her might to prevent this conflict from occurring throughout the days. While doing so, she always runs into her chemistry lab partner, Nick, in the mornings when they keep getting into car accidents with each other or just randomly seeing each other. Nick and Emilie don’t really hit it off and Nick always seems to have a hatred towards Valentine’s Day, which Emilie doesn’t really know why. She later finds the answer to her question when she decides to rebel for a day. She thinks she has unlimited days to waste with being whoever she wants to be for 24 hours at a time. She calls this the DONC (Day of No Consequences). On the DONC, Emilie drags Nick out of class, and they travel the many miles of Downtown, doing whatever they please. An unbreakable bond between the two of them forms and they both end up catching feelings for each other, not wanting the day to end. Sadly, when the day does end and February 15th rolls into play, Emilie must pay the consequences of all the trouble she created the day before, while realizing that everything she did mattered, and the time-loop will never exist again.

This book really shows readers that conforming to everyone else’s standards, expectations and “bending over backwards” for everyone will not make you happy or be the person you truly want to be. If I were Emilie, I would tell myself that it’s okay if someone disagrees with what I do or what I say- I'm my own person with my own opinions, and that’s how it will always be. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves YA romance books and who just needs a quick read. In conclusion, Lynn Painter continues to impress me with her writing abilities and how she so beautifully puts stories together that will have the reader hooked on the book, not being able to put it down. This book reminded me a lot of another one of Lynn’s books, Better Than the Movies, with how the two characters grow as people and in loving each other, and I look forward to reading more of her novels.  

Student Saturday: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction

Student Reviewer: Haven W.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner is a young adult science fiction novel. It is the first book in a trilogy, complete with 2 prequels. The book is set in the future. It is told from the point of view of the main character Thomas. He wakes up in a maze with no memories surrounded by a bunch of teenage boys all having experienced the same thing, but it doesn’t take long to figure out that Thomas is special. After Thomas arrives, strange things start happening. Thomas and his new friends must go on an adventure, risking their lives, to unlock the secrets of the maze and who created it. This series is one of my favorites, it is perfect for young teens, or any teens who want a clean, but action packed read. I especially recommend this series to people who enjoy the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, they share a similar concept of defying test groups and simulations run by a corrupt government. It has a great concept, but I usually find that with a lot of books like these, they are confusing and not well written. This book contains none of those issues, it was fast paced, but easy to follow even though information was left out in the beginning to add suspense. The characters are well written and fun, with great personalities that make it easy to become attached to them. Overall, I highly recommend this book. 

Student Saturday: The Cat With the Yellow Star by Susan Goldman Rubin and ElaWeissberger

Genre: Middle Grade, Biography
Student Reviewer: David P.

This book was cool, finding out about my own country's history even more, that the place where they make good pancakes has had such terrible things happen there. Anyways this takes place in... Czechoslovakia (Now the Czech Republic) in the city Terezín (The place with the good pancakes!) and the main character is Ela with her friends. They are stuck in a camp for the Jewish population built after the nazis invaded us. They are sad, however they find out that the main composer for brundibar is also there, so they decide to have some fun.... Did you really think I was going to tell the entire thing to you? No, you will have to read this book to find out though... Anyways as a Czech myself I really enjoyed this book, so I recommend this to anyone who likes WW2 history or History in general.

 

Student Saturday: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult Autobiography

Student Reviewer: Sofia D.

 

This book is a remarkable read and I think it is very interesting and informative on the tragic events of the Holocaust. Anne Frank was a girl which such a daring personality and I think she is very clever and independent. This book took place in 1942 and ended in 1944 when she was only 13-15 years old. The diary talks about her thoughts and experiences in hiding in the secret annex which is a covered area behind her dad’s work. The diary also discusses betrayal and tragic loss. I liked how descriptive it was the book painted a picture in my head as I read. If I was in Anne Frank’s place, I would not handle it as well nor, be as intelligent as she was. I think it is a wonderful book, and I recommend it to people interested in historic events and being on that side of events from a personal point of view. 

 

Student Saturday - Odette’s Secrets by Maryann Macdonald

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Student Reviewer: Camilla M.

The book an Odette's Secrets is about a young girl that went through much hardship during the Holocaust. Odette was a yound girl with curly hair. Odette started out as a young girl in Paris. Throughout the story she grew up and moved to the country and eventually back to the city. Madame Marie was her godmother, who played a big part in Odette's life. Madame Marie, her mother, and her father all cared for Odette very much.  Odette was forced to move around to escape the soldiers. She moved to the country where she met great people. Her mother then forced her out of the country to go back to the city. Odette had a hard time finding out who she was and where she belonged. She found that poetry would soothe her mind. I sometimes wonder where I belong. Just like Odette I find things and activities that help me with calming my mind. This book teaches great lessons and exceeds my expectations. I would reccomend this book to someone that likes history and heartfelt books. 

 

Student Saturdays

Student Saturdays are back.  Starting this Saturday, September 17 I will put up the first of many reviews written by my students about the books they have read.  Please be kind as these are middle school students around the age of 11 or 12.  Please be kind with your responses.  So what do you have to look forward to?
So far I have scheduled reviews for the following books:

Dovey Coe by Katherine Paterson on 9/17
Heaven by Angela Johnson on 9/24
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen  on  10/2
The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan  on 10/8
Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass   on 10/15
The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg  on 10/22
Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman  on  10/29
Scat by Carl Hiaasen  on 11/5

Student Saturday: Inkspell - Cornelia Funke

This Saturday Student review is written by Jenna

The ink world a realistic fiction place where there are fairies and mountains. The place is split into "Argenta the Real of the Adderhead" and "Lombrica the Realm of the Laughing Prince".  There is a forest between them that everyone is afraid to go into because of the wolves and fire elves and other fantasy creatures.  It's abut the medieval time in the Ink world.  But in the real world it is like today with cars and cell phones.  The story goes from out of the book to into the book.

This book is the continuation of Inkheart and you have to read Inkheart to really understand it.  Well the story continues and Dustfinger goes into the book and so does Mo.  Meggie reads herself into Inkheart with Gwin and Farid.  Mo, Resta and Magpie and Besta get read into the book by Cheeseface or as his real name Orpheus.  Then when the Laughing Prince turns sad because he leans that his son has been killed, he starts to really die.  Meggie brings Cosmos back but his father has already passed away.

I can connect with how Meggie feels because her and my world are changing like crazy.  First I'm in elementary school, now I'm in middle school and I can connect this story because sh kind of was in the same predicament with just looking for an answer to everything.  I would recommend this book to everyone but it is a kind of long read so I would suggest from 3rd to 4th graders and up.  I loved this book.  It's a thriller and realistic fiction at the same time and I can just get into it and just imagine and picture what is happening in the story.

Student Saturday: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

This Student Review is written by Brian.

The setting of this story is at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is a secure habitat for students learning in the magical arts.  Hogwarts has many secret passageways and so many secrets not even Dumbledore knows them all.  Harry learns and has many adventures there and whilst he is there a dark wizard club known as the Death Eaters plots against him under the watch of Lord Voldemort.

Harry Potter comes close to another year at Hogwarts when a mysterious being shows up to tell him not to go or bad things will happen and he will be plotted against frequently.  During the year, Harry Potter becomes interested in the mysterious Chamber of Secrets where is said to live a monster.  Certain students wind up petrified because of the alleged monster.  The creature blamed for everything is a giant spider that lives among smaller spiders.  Harry learns many new abilities including the rare power of serpent communication.

I have a connection with the story because I once had an encounter with a big spider among smaller spiders.  I was in a camp bathroom when a huge wolf spider appeared with all of its disgusting offspring surrounding it.  I would really recommend this book to my dad and I convinced him so he finished the first and is reading the second.  I would also recommend this book to my friends who saw the movie without reading the book.  This book met and exceeded my expectations.  I expected this book to be entertaining yet not challenge me to read the third.  This book was one of the best books by far.

Student Saturday: No Talking by Andrew Clemens

Student Saturday is a day I post reviews written by other students.  The review that follows is written by Drew.

Dave Packer is a 5th grader who goes to Laketon Elementary School in New Jersey.  It is the first day of the new school year and DAve has decided that he's not going to talk today because he read in a book (for his Social Studies report) that once a week Gandhi didn't talk.  The school has one major issue that drives the teachers crazy and that is "TALKING".  Every 5th grade lunch period Mrs. Hiatt the principle brings a plastic red bullhorn to quiet students.  During his lunch he gets tired of the jibber jabber coming from another table that consists of Lynsey Burgess and some of her friends.  He finally challenges her and the rest of the girls to a no-talking contest, boys against girls.  It will feature the whole 5th grade and will last for 48 hours or 2 days.  The only tie that talking was allowed was when a teacher asked you a question.  The reply could only be a 3 word maximum.  Do you think you could handle not saying one word, to your friends or parents for 2 entire days?  Read this book to find out who wins, the "boys" or the "girls".

In my opinion, this story was hilarious.  It is a realistic fiction book that told a story about how a classic tale like boys against girls could be taken to new heights.  My connection with this story is when playing a sport, my friends and I play the same game of "boys against girls" if there are the same amount of girls and boys.  I also connect with this story because I have tried not to talk for a whole day, but can never get past the first hour before I eventually talk.  I recommend this story to anybody who likes a humor book, or a good contest.

National Just Read More Novels Month 2011

Okay, so maybe I accidently lied when I said I was only participating in three reading challenges in 2011.  I totally forgot about NaJuReMoNoMo, better known as National Just Read More Novels Month.  I participated last year and I will participate this year.  Go to the FOMA site to get all of the details and a badge.

You can follow them on Facebook or tweet about your books as you finish them on Twitter by using the hashtag #NaJuReMoNoMo.


This was my list of books for this month.  I am trying to read 300 books this year.  This means I need to read approximately 25 books a month.  There are always months that I read more.  Spring Break will soon be upon us and I read more then, and during the summer.  I am still please with all I did read.  We came back from Christmas break and had to hit it hard with the students.  There were a lot of great books here.  Check them out




1.  The Lost Gate - Orson Scott Card
2.  Angry Young Man - Chris Lynch
3.  Cryer's Cross - Lisa McMann
4.  The Chinese Conspiracy - John Mariotti
5.  Secret Saturdays - Torrey Maldonado
6.  Sudden Moves - Kelli Sue Landon
7.  The Chasm - Randy Alcorn
8.  Wither - Lauren DeStefano
9.  Bogus - Karla Oceanak

Student Saturday: Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey

Pages:  176
Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy

My student reviewer today is Andy.  This is his excellent review.

This book is about the lives of people who lived in a dragon era.  They survived off the fruits of the land and fishing was their livelihood.  Music was much appreciated by them.  It was thought their harpers were never to be females only males.  Menolly was gifted musically.  She sang, played and taught.  When the well-known Harper Petiron died, Menolly was at a loss.  He allowed her to play and write because of her parent's respect they did not stop him.  However, upon his death she could not continue to do so, only secretly.  Menolly has contact with dragons and ends up protecting their eggs until she is discovered by Master Harper Robinson.

The connection I made with this book is that in past years women were prohibited from doing many things but it is not allowed to happen on such a big scale today.  If I were Menolly I would have tried to make it know to the proper people to allow me to play.  I would recommend this book to people who are fans of dragons and to anyone who likes to write and play music.  It may enable them to advance their life.  My over all opinion of this book is that it is like a roller coaster.  It has exciting moments and dull moments.  It did not meet my expectations because when I looked at the name I envisioned more dragon activity and excitement.  In this book,  Menolly in my opinion appeared to be a very talented female.  Her love for writing and playing music was phenomenal.  Yet she was prohibited by her parents and others from playing because she was female.  In my opinion this was very sexist and therefore wrong.  I am glad she was discovered in the end by the Master Harper Robinson.  That was the perfect ending for this bok.

Secret Saturdays - Torrey Maldonado

Publisher – G.P. Putnam’s

Pages:  208

Genre:  Middle Grade/ Young Adult Realistic Fiction

 Source:  Review copy from author

Justin and Sean have been friends forever.  Sean has always had Justin’s back.  Instead of fighting with fists, Sean has always fought with words.  Lately something has been bothering Sean.  Lately his dissing has become mean and hateful.  He has begun using his fists.  Justin, Vanessa and Kyle are concerned. Then Justin and Kyle notice Sean and his mother sneaking out at night and no one knows where they are going or why.  Could this be the reason Sean has changed? 

Torrey Maldonado has crafted characters that are right on target.  By this I mean they are very believable.  As a teacher I see similar behavior all the time.  I’ve never taught in the type of school Maldonado has created for his characters.  I know they exist in larger areas around me.  I believe this is a book that should be in every school.  We have a bully program and I will be recommending it to those in charge of the program.  I am going to promote this book to all of my fellow teachers and my students.  This is one that must be read.  It has a message that is so important to our youth today.

Student Saturday: Skinnybones by Barbara Park

Publisher:  Yearling
Pages:  15
Genre:  Middle Grade Realistic Fiction

This is a review by my student Codey.

Alex is like the show and tell in the class because he's always cracking jokes.  He is trying to win a bet over who has better pitching, T.J. Stoner or Alex on their baseball team.  The book was really good and funny. I connected with this book because I play a little baseball and I can crack some really good jokes.  I would probably recommend this book to people who like baseball and of course funny jokes.  Most of all I would recommend this book to all of the students.

Student Poetry Saturday

Death  by Ryan

The cold hand of Death waits around every corner,
 and outside of every door.
He has a horrid sight of putrid rotting flesh,
and the screeching silence that he creates.
His stench follows wherever he goes,
along with his sulfurous breath.
When he claims you for your end,
you taste the horrifying bone-dry taste,
that signifies you have joined him.

Dumpsters  by Jack

Dumpsters are horrendous
Everything that's bad
In an unholy box
Its putrid smell will leave you screaming
A blood curdling yell
A very homely sight
Might be quite a fright
A rough rusted outside
A jagged inside
Filled with bitter, rotten food
Formerly mouth watering
Now furry with mold
The horrid urban monster
Is nasty and old

Chocolate Strawberry  by Nirali

The Chocolate Strawberry stare at me like a dog begging for a treat.
I think about the savory taste which tastes like it is as fresh as a loaf of bread.
I am still staring at the chocolate Strawberry which looks as beautiful as a pear sitting in an oyster.
Finally I pick up the yummy looking strawberry as carefully as holding a precious diamond.
It feels as soft and smooth as a baby's skin.
It is so intoxicating I quickly take a bite of it.
I cannot get rid of the Chocolaty and juicy taste.  It is like it has be glued to my mind.
Now, I have stopped moving and I am still thinking about the sound of the crispy outside and soft inside.