Student Saturday - Nostradormouse by Chris Tinniswood

Today's Student Saturday is brought to you by one of last year's students, Riffatul.

Nostradormouse is a great book for all ages because it has no mature or inappropriate attributes in the book. Also, I would really consider this book to kids, mainly, and adults who love animals and want to know more about the world and how it all evolved.

The story all started when the Earth was at its youngest age. In The Great Woods, there was this grand tree that stood still and was lifeless. The animals in the Great Woods had no names and no knowledge of anything, but luckily knew how to communicate. Another conflict was that the environment had no seasons at all, so life was pretty hard. Then one day an elderly stag named Find came along a lake and met a salmon. Find said "hello" to the salmon and named him Fintan. The salmon was bewildered when he heard that, he also did not know that Find was "The Spirit of Wisdom". Find and Fintan shared talks, then the stag gave the salmon to do a veyr important job. Find then with his antlers, gave a shake and nine trees sprouted onto the ground. The stag told the trees to make hazel nuts and put them into the water so Fintan could eat them. So why eat nine hazel nuts? Why so important? Will somebody accidentally eat some of them? But most importantly, will The Great Woods become finally knowledgeable and be successful at last? These are some of the questions that will be answered to you, but only if you read the book "Nostradormous"!

My overall opinion for this book is that it is very good because of its great story and a twist to the famous Nostradamus, which I honestly like when stories are a twist in famous people or mysterious things. I honestly have one connection of this book, it really reminds me of Nostradamus (A famous person who predicted fatal tragedies for instance Hurricane Katrina and the Assassination of JFK), which I learned fro the History Channel. The main characters of this book is Nostradormous (protagonist), a young dormouse who unlocks secrets of the world, Find, the stag who literally is the "Spirit of Wisdom", and the young dormouse's parents, who yet don't know their names, will they? So please read "Nostradormous" and find out how the world evolved, fictionally!

Finding Monsters – Liss Thomas

Pages: 254

Source: Review copy in exchange for my honest review

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

From Goodreads:

Missy has been fighting to live her entire life, but when she finds herself in a realm of unique and sometimes deadly monsters, she discovers just how much of a survivor she really is. Accidently transferred to this mysterious realm by her monster and only friend, Charlie, he finds himself weak and unable to protect her. The only way she can defend herself and him, is to become a monster herself. But an unknown dark stalker watches her progress and if he steals her power, he will unleash a scourge on both his world and the world she left behind.

My Thoughts:

This was better than I thought it was going to be. I read the synopsis and was intrigued. I just didn't know enough to know I would love it as much as I did. The thought that monsters live under our bed to protect portals into our world was unique. It was great knowing that as Missy lay dying from cancer that Charlie, the monster under her bed had spent years encouraging her. As she neared her death he gave her something she truly wanted. He gave her the freedom to be a teenager, to run and play. Unfortunately the minute he made contact with her he was bound to her for life and would take on her human strength. This was sad knowing that she had no human strength because she was dying. The contact also pulled her into his world.  To shave Charlie she must become a monster herself.

To do that, she must go on three quests. She is willing to do this because of the sacrifice he has  made for her. He wants her to succeed because he loves her. She makes friends along the way who will help her. Will she succeed? You must read this book to find out. This is just the first book in the series. There is so much goodness to come from this author.

Rapture's Rain - Chris Pennington

Pages: 300
Source:  Review copy from author in exchange for my honest review.
Genre:  Christian Fiction

From Goodreads:
In the aftermath of the world's most catastrophic event, Jason Stover finds himself alone and on the verge of suicide. His family, along with millions of others, has suddenly vanished without a trace and the world as he knows it is starting to die.  After a supernatural event, mysterious strangers begin to appear that may hold the key to his and the rest of mankind's survival.  The only question is will he be able to solve the mystery before time runs out. As the clock ticks down, he and his friends' souls hang in the balance teetering between eternal damnation and everlasting life. Rapture's Rain is a provoking and unique journey that puts faith to the test in the ultimate battle between good and evil.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved the "Left Behind" series.  This book ranks right up there with them.  Although the difference is that all of the events are told in one book.  Jason Stover is a non-Christian married to a wife, Kristina who is a Christian.  They also have a daughter, Nikki, who like her mother is a Christian.  Jason has just started going to a Bible study with his wife.  He's made many friends there.  He's working in his yard one minute and wakes up the next day to terrible news.  His wife, daughter, most of the Bible study group, along with millions of others are gone.  

Jason's best friend Mike and Jason's wife's best friend Erin meet up and come to the conclusion that God has come back for his people and they like many others have been left behind.    As the world goes deeper into chaos, and is slowly dying their faith begins to get stronger.  This author has created a fictional account that doesn't completely follow the Bible events.  He has added his own twist on this subject.  To me I believe this will make the book appeal to non-Christians just as much as it appeals to Christians.  

As a Christian, believing that we are living in end times I found this book to come at the appropriate time.  It is one I will recommend to my friends who are Christians and Non-Christians alike.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

About the Author (From Goodreads)

Chris Pennington is a marketing and internet entrepreneur by day and a closet creative in the evenings. He graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina with a degree in Graphic Design and Journalism. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City where he began his career at Omni Magazine. Chris conceived and is  a founding partner in the website, CodeOfKidness.com, which is based on helping better the world by promoting random acts of kindness. Feel Free to contact Chris at chris@codeofkindness.com

The Twins - Saskia Sarginson

Publisher: Redhook (August 27, 2013)
Pages: 384
Source:  I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Genre: Adult, Suspense, Mystery

I know many people who hate reading books that are told in multiple points of view.  I happen to love it.  I feel like I get a more rounded picture in my head.  This book is not only told in multiple points of view but also alternates between first and third person.

This is the story of two twins who lived with their mother who was a hippy.  She had originally lived in a commune and then moved the kids into a cabin in the woods.  She kind of let them do their own thing.  They spent a lot of time in the woods. It is there that they met twin brother Michael and John.  Then something terrible happens.  Their mother dies and they go to live with an aunt.
Isolte, called Issy has grown up to be very successful.  Her twin Viola has battled an eating disorder.  As she is in the hospital Issy decides to help her.  The only way is to go back to their childhood home and face the demons that are keeping Viola in this state of self-destruction.

Issy's chapters are told in third person and deal with present time which happens to be 1987. Viola's chapters are told in first person as flashbacks to 1972.  There are many secrets to be uncovered for both of the to heal properly.  There were a lot of things that kept you reading.  I love books that are so descriptive.  This author has the ability to describe the setting so that you feel you are there or you wish you were.  She has also created an emotional read that kept me turning the pages.  As I tell my students, a book that can pull you in and make you emotional is a good book. This in my opinion is a great book.

Student Saturday - Awakening - Robin Wasserman

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

This was one of the best books I have ever read. It was really fun to read and I would recommend this book to people who like science fiction or a book about a mysterious girl with a mysterious past. I had a cousin who hit his head and had to get stitches. But, since I didn’t know any better I thought he wasn’t going to remember my family or me.

J.D. was just a victim of a bomb or at least that’s what people thought. J.D. can’t even remember her past. When no one claims J.D. as their daughter J.D. is sent to a place where there are kids who have been bad. There she meets Daniel. A few days later dr. Mersenne (aka J.D. Mom) picks her up. They then go to J.D.’s house. J.D. then starts to go to Dr. Styron to regain her memory. When a little boy tells J.D. that his friend used to live in the house J.D. has supposedly lived in her whole life, J.D. starts to get suspicious about her mom and Dr. Styron. Is Dr. Mersenne her real mom? Why does she feel afraid when she gets near Dr. Styron? Will she ever regain her memory?

Student Saturday - The Magi - Kevin M. Turner

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

I have been currently reading the Magi by Kevin M. Turner. The characters I know so far are Elijah, Uncle Stan, Kyria, Elijah’s mom and dad, Master Roddick, Chancellor Hawthorne and many others. I could connect the magi to the Show Avatar because each Magi learns the four elements and the Avatar must master all four elements. The setting is at Savenridge.  I recommend this book to my brother because he likes reading books involving the elements, water, fire, air and earth. The book is about a kid named Elijah who lost his sister and parents. He went to stay with his uncle but one day his uncle got arrested to he had to be taken to Saint Phillip Academy. Saint Phillip Academy was a cruel place, so Elijah had a hard time there. But, a teacher named Master Roddick was nice to him. Several weeks passed and Master Roddick asked if he could talk to him during the night. They talked about Magi and Master Roddick took him to Savenridge and eventually took a student named Samuel. There at Savenridge, they were learning the way of a Magi. I really like the book because it has may mysteries and lots of action.

Losing Elizabeth – Tanya J. Peterson

Pages: 154

Source:  I received a copy to review, the opinions expressed are my own.

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

I think all teens, both boys and girls should read this book.  Boyfriend, Girlfriend abuse is something that is often ignored by both teens and adults alike.  In this book Elizabeth is a junior in high school.  She is excited that Brad, the captain of the football team seems interested in her. When his former girlfriend comes up to her and tries to talk with her about Brad, she just assumes the former girlfriend wants him back.  She could not be more wrong.  Everything seems to go along fine for a while.  Brad becomes more and more controlling.  He finally manages to separate her from all of her friends.  Then he starts to abuse her.  Like many teens she thinks that it is okay because he apologizes and says he loves her.  There are so many lessons to be learned.  Will Elizabeth learn them in time?  This book deals with a boyfriend abusing his girlfriend.  What isn’t usually talked about is that there are abusive girlfriends who beat up on their boyfriends.  We hear less about this because it is an embarrassment to boys to be abused by a girl.  This really should be required reading in all middle and high schools.  I’ve had to help students through this at school.  The girl said her boyfriend was shoving her around.  After the meeting it was discovered he shoved her away because she was beating on him and he was too embarrassed to say anything.  Girls who think this is okay become women who think this is okay and end up marrying abusive husbands.  This is a realistic problem that needs to be addressed not hidden.  The author did a great job of that.

About the Author:

Tanya J. Peterson was born and raised in the Midwest. Looking for adventure, she recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. While she is embracing new experiences, she is continuing to pursue her life-long passion of working closely with young adults to help them learn and thrive. Tanya has degrees in secondary education and school counseling and has worked with youth in schools and other settings throughout her adult life. Currently, she teaches in a school for homeless and runaway adolescents where she helps them remove barriers and find success. Tanya enjoys spending time with her family in the outdoors. She loves to hike, bike, and kayak. She also enjoys the arts and is delighted to live in a city with many diverse venues for music, theater, dance, and the visual arts. Her personal artistic pursuit is the written word. She has published the short story Challenge!, a book review in a national counseling publication, and the novel Losing Elizabeth. She has more novels on the way

Pieces of Me – Darlene Ryan

Publisher: Orca

Pages: 240

Source:  Won a copy from LibraryThing, the review is my own opinion of the book

Gere:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Every now and then I read a book that just tears my heart open.  As a teacher I have had students who were abused or were homeless.  It seems to be a problem that is growing daily.  Darlene Ryan has crafted a story that we could watch on the news any night. Maddie comes from an abusive home.  Her step-dad is the abuser and her mother sides with him.  I really disliked the mother for this reason. Maddie decides it would be better if she ran away.  Out on the street she meets a boy named Q.  She agrees that they stand a better chance of surviving on the street if they work together.  Things are hard but manageable at first.  One day they agree to watch a homeless couple’s six year old boy.  Unfortunately the parents never come back for him.  I was so angry.  I kept wondering how they could just desert him.  Now Maddie has to try to make them all a family.  She wants to make sure that Dylan doesn’t have the kind of parents she had.  Q starts to have some issues that break the trust that Maddie placed in him.  She finally realizes she can’t do this on her own.  This is a hard story to read yet once started it is hard to put down. Your heart breaks for all of the kids out there like Maddie.  This is definitely a book that I want on my shelves in my classroom.

Aquifer - Johnathan Friesen

Publisher:  Blink (August 6, 2013)

Pages: 304

Source: Purchased

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

From Goodreads:

Only he can bring what they need to survive...

In 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. And they’ll do anything to maintain their power – deceiving, dividing families, banning love... even killing those who oppose them.

But above all, they seek to control knowledge and communication – ensuring the truth that will bring their downfall will never be known. But one person verges on discovering it all.

Sixteen-year-old Luca becomes the Deliverer, the only one allowed to contact the people called ‘Water Rats,’ who mine the essential water deep underground and bring it to the ‘Toppers’ who desperately need it above. 

But when he meets a Water Rat who captures his heart and leads him to secrets – secrets about a vast conspiracy, and about himself – the net around him tightens. Luca and those around him must uncover and share the truth needed to overthrow tyranny – even as they fight for their lives.

My Thoughts

Once I started this book I had trouble putting it down.  The only reason I did was because I was sick and had to go to bed.  I spent today in bed finishing the book.  The worlds the author created were very fascinating.  The Toppers lived in a deprived world.  Deprived of any free thought, deprived of emotions.  Lucas thought he was cursed as the son of the Deliverer, and the next in line to carry on the duties.

When forced to go underground to perform the duties his father has performed he finds a world completely different from what he has been led to believe actually exists.  He soon finds out that not everything is as beautiful as it seems and that the underground world holds just as many secrets.  These are secrets that set Lucas on a predestined path to help change the world.  This was an allegorical read.  It was one that has stayed with me all day and one that I believe  I should recommend to everyone.

Student Saturday- Sister's Grimm: Unusual Suspects - Michael Buckley

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

I love the Sister Grimm series.  It has everything I love about books in it. The book I just finished is the Sister’s Grimm the Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley. I would so recommend this book to my mom because she loves to read and I think she’ll like this because it’s fairy tales stories into one book. The book takes place at Ferryport landing where Sabrina and her sister just moved. They just started school and Sabrina got into a fight already. It’s strange because at her new school there has been a murder investigation and the Grimms are on the case. But, the more they come close to the truth the more their life is in danger. So read to find out how they will solve the case. “I think those books are the best books in the world because it combined adventures, laughs and surprises and kept me eagerly turning the pages” quote by R.L. Stine.

I can connect to Sabrina because if I lost my parents by Everafters I would blam them all. So read to find out how Sabrina deals with her problems.