Skimmer and Finn: Lurkers and the Little Boop Creature by Christopher Francis

Genre: Children's Graphic

Source: I received a copy from the author. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved this second book in the Skimmer and Finn series.  In book one Finn wakes from hyper sleep on another planet. The earth has been destroyed and they must survive. He has a robot named Skimmer who is supposed to help him survive. Finn and two friends he meets along with a monster he saved have a new issue.  They have run into a group of monsters who are not happy with them. Boop is another robot who now helps Finn.  What is making the group of monsters so angry and how can Finn help them and their planet?  As they search for materials to build a door over a cave they hear a signal.  This book is all about Finn learning to survive, helping a planet heal and of course friendship  It is cute, it is funny, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.  I don't read many graphic novels, but this is one I definitely recommend.

 

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. 

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery, Horror
Student Reviewer: Jaiden W.

"The Ash House" is an excellent middle-grade novel that explores the themes of belonging, friendship, bravery, and defiance. The author has done an exceptional job of creating an intriguing, mysterious, and eerie setting that keeps the reader engaged throughout the story. The characters are well-developed, and their backstories are revealed gradually, making the readers invest in them emotionally. The protagonist, Sol, is an incredibly relatable character, and his struggles with his complex pain syndrome are depicted sensitively. The Ash House is a place where the abandoned and forgotten children live, and the headmaster is a mysterious figure who controls everything. The story takes a dark turn when Sol realizes that the headmaster's intentions are not as benevolent as they seem, and he must find the courage to defy him and rescue his new friends. The book's pace is perfect, and the tension builds up gradually, culminating in a thrilling climax. The author has also included several plot twists that keep the readers guessing until the end. Overall, "The Ash House" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that is perfect for middle school readers and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, engaging story.