Student Saturday: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Student Reviewer:  Olivia S.

Elizabeth Rew is a Highschool student in New York, that just moved to her new school. Due to her mother's death and her father's remarriage, her family goes through a rough financial situation. Elizabeth gets recommended a job as a page at “New-York circulating material repository” to earn some money and to make some friends. She soon gains access to the Grimm collection and learns that the library is magic. When some of the items in the Grimm collection go missing, Elizabeth and some of her new friends must investigate to find out where the stolen objects are. Can Elizabeth find out where the stolen objects are disappearing to and find out who is stealing them before the entire Grimm collection disappears and gets into the wrong hands?

This book is called “The Grimm Legacy” and is centered around a girl named Elizabeth. Elizabeth is sarcastic, easy to talk to, and loves fairytales and anything magical. This book reminds me of another book called “Mr. Lemoncellos library.” Kyle Keely and Elizabeth Rew both go to a library and discover magical things and objects. I would recommend this book to ages 11 to 16, since it is light on any violence and there is some romance. This book met my expectations, and I am looking forward to reading this series.

Student Saturday: Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz

 

Student Reviewer:  Robert M

Genre:  Middle Grade, Adventure

Alex Rider is back in the eighth installment to the series called Crocodile Tears. He yet again has to save the word, and this time, there is a virus so powerful that it can destroy a country’s resources, and while doing that also making sure he secret doesn’t get out.

The story begins with Alex, Sabina Pleasure, and her dad— Edward Pleasure— going to a party hosted by a millionaire named Desmond McCain in the Highlands of Scotland. Quickly, Alex finds himself in danger as the tire of Edward's car blows on the icy road and they plummet into the deep below-freezing lake. Back in London with his housekeeper and closest friend— Jack— he fights people claiming to be an employer of Major Yu, the main antagonist of the previous story. Long afterward, Alex is taken to Africa and tortured, and a man who he had seen after he had gotten out of the lake saves him. Some of this book reminds me of a movie called “Breakthrough” about a boy who falls into a frozen lake and eventually comes out safe. This is a very good book for people with time on their hands because once you start, you can’t stop reading it.

The Rise of Balakrik by Melody J. Bremen

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Adventure, Fantasy

Source: I purchased a copy

This is the sequel to "The Quest for the Luminae".  This was just as action packed as the first one. The tension was definitely tight in this one. The Prince of the Above Ground has decided to do whatever it takes to get control of the country. If that means he must get rid of the people below ground he will. When Milo and Rod return from their quest to find the luminae, they are attacked. They have brought back the potion that will heal their people, but are met at the dock by soldiers who bust up the barrels of the cure. Rod is arrested and Milo gets away.  

He seeks an audience with the King only to realize how crazy the man has become. Lady Mariel sends him with a message to the Prince's castle to give the message and explain to the Prince's granddaughter. She is not what Milo expects. There is a rebel in her that wants to save the people and she is willing to join Milo in whatever mission is necessary to do so.

There is danger all around those involved. Another legend turns out to be true, the legend of the Giant Balakrik who came to the area collecting gold and fell asleep underground.  Lately there have been a lot of earthquakes to add to the tension of the story.  After reading the first one you definitely need to read this one.