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.