The Contender
By Robert Lipsyte
If I had seen
this book in a bookstore or a library, I never would have thought of
reading. But I was assigned this book for school this year. And I found
it very enjoyable.
Alfred is a teen who dropped out of
high school. He doesn't have the greatest life. One night he is almost
beaten by some kids. He decides he needs to be able to defend himself.
He signs up for boxing. He says he wants to b a champion. But before
anyone can be a champion they must first be a contender.
This
book was intriguing. It had some topics that are not for younger
children. It is not a light read. A lot of the content is depressing.
I did enjoy it.
Review by Sweetie Pie
Monday, December 31, 2012
Castaways of the Flying Dutchman
By Brian Jacques
Brian Jacques is
one of my favorite authors because of his writing style, wit, and his
ability to be able to portray good and evil in a realistic but hopeful
strain. He is most famous for writing the Redwall series, but shows that
he is able to carry his talent for character development and wit into
other worlds as well.
In Castaways of the Flying
Dutchman, we are introduced to a mute boy and a stray dog. Through a set
of bewildering (and frightening) circumstances, they are blessed by an
angel to stay forever young and help around the world. The book jumps
ahead about 130 years and we experience one story of how the boy and his
dog help make the world a better place.
I really liked
this story, because it was a light-hearted book, though it dealt with
some heavy elements at times. The boy and his dog are innocent, though
they have seen so much in the world, and truly fight for good. It gives
one hope for the world and hope for good people, even when there are bad
ones all around.
I have two issues with Brian Jacques
writing; firstly, he writes so well and keeps me so entertained that I
am always sad when I finish one of his books because I want it to keep
going. Secondly, his characters tell white lies without seeing a
problem. So long as there is no harm done, there is nothing wrong with
lying. His characters often see consequences for other sins, such as
stealing or gluttony or being rude, but very rarely for lying.
Overall,
this is a fantastic book. The only concern would be for people who are
uncomfortable with the idea of ghosts (there are bad guy pirates who are
also never allowed to die).
Review by Beckyelsie
Princess Academy
Princess Academy
By Shannon Hale
First of all Shannon Hale is one of the greatest author I think. Her books are so enchanting.
The Princess Academy was the first Shannon Hale book I read. And I thought it was excellent.
It tells the tale of Miri, a young girl who lives up in the mountains. Miri has never been allowed to work in the quarry like everyone else her age. Miri loves her life and her sister, Marda, and her father.
But one day, Miri's life changes forever. A Messenger has come to Mt. Eskel to tell the folks of Mt. Eskel that the next princess is to come from that town. All the eligible girls must travel to a Manor that was built a ways down the mountain, to learn to be a princess.
This book is so spectacular. I suggest everyone to read it.
Review by Sweetie Pie
By Shannon Hale
First of all Shannon Hale is one of the greatest author I think. Her books are so enchanting.
The Princess Academy was the first Shannon Hale book I read. And I thought it was excellent.
It tells the tale of Miri, a young girl who lives up in the mountains. Miri has never been allowed to work in the quarry like everyone else her age. Miri loves her life and her sister, Marda, and her father.
But one day, Miri's life changes forever. A Messenger has come to Mt. Eskel to tell the folks of Mt. Eskel that the next princess is to come from that town. All the eligible girls must travel to a Manor that was built a ways down the mountain, to learn to be a princess.
This book is so spectacular. I suggest everyone to read it.
Review by Sweetie Pie
Nancy Drew; Clue in the Diary
By Carolyn Keene
So I used to read Nancy Drew books all the time. But after a while they started becoming repetitive.
I will occasionally read one just for the sake of it.
This particular Nancy Drew book is one if my favorites because it introduces my favorite character, Ned Nickerson.
However I cannot rave about this book. With reading as a young adult, I now realize how cheesy it really is.
The plot itself is border line on mediocre and good. The dialogue is cheesy. Ned always seems to be in the exact place Nancy is. It is not natural.
This book is entertaining in a cheesy kind of way.
Its is still a good Nancy Drew book and all the little girls would enjoy it.
Review By Sweetie Pie
So I used to read Nancy Drew books all the time. But after a while they started becoming repetitive.
I will occasionally read one just for the sake of it.
This particular Nancy Drew book is one if my favorites because it introduces my favorite character, Ned Nickerson.
However I cannot rave about this book. With reading as a young adult, I now realize how cheesy it really is.
The plot itself is border line on mediocre and good. The dialogue is cheesy. Ned always seems to be in the exact place Nancy is. It is not natural.
This book is entertaining in a cheesy kind of way.
Its is still a good Nancy Drew book and all the little girls would enjoy it.
Review By Sweetie Pie
The Help
The Help
By Kathryn Stockett
I had heard so much about this book before I had a chance to read it.
The first time I heard about it was when the movie come out. My youth pastor, David, was in the movie. I then looked into reading the book.
Last December I finally got a chance to read this book, and I was impressed. It is a captivating story written in the eyes of three woman from Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962.
Aibileen Clark is an African-American woman who works for Miss Elizabeth Leefolt, a young mother who doesn't really know how to run a family. Aibileen has raised many children in her life time, she takes care of Mae Mobley, Elizabeth's daughter.
Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, a young, white woman who just graduated from the University of Mississppi. Skeeter is a tall, 5'11, young lady who should have everything going for her. Instead she has never been on a date. Her frizzy doesn't fit well in a time where your hair had to be perfect. Skeeter makes the best of her life though.
Minny Jackson is a strong sass-mouthed African-American woman, who has a hard time keeping her mouth shut. At the beginning of the book Minny works for "Missus Walter" who is the mother of the "villian" in this book, Hilly Holbrook. Minny is fired from her job because of the Terrible Awful. And hired by Miss Celia Foote.
Skeeter decides to write a book from the point of view of the Help, or the African-American maids. She recruits the help of Aibileen and Minny to write it. The three of them become fast friends.
This book was amazing. There is so much the goes on in this book that you need to read several times to get the full value of it. It is not a difficult read. It is actually rather easy, but the content is most definetly for older people, meaning it is not a children's book. There is a large amount of cussing in the book. But it did not over power the book. There are also some topics that are not for young readers.
It is devastating the way people act to those whose skin is a different color. I grew up in a place where there was absolutely no segregation. I never realized that in the south, caucasians are still bitter against African-Americans.
I loved this book and would highly recommend everyone to read it.
Review by Sweetie Pie
By Kathryn Stockett
I had heard so much about this book before I had a chance to read it.
The first time I heard about it was when the movie come out. My youth pastor, David, was in the movie. I then looked into reading the book.
Last December I finally got a chance to read this book, and I was impressed. It is a captivating story written in the eyes of three woman from Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962.
Aibileen Clark is an African-American woman who works for Miss Elizabeth Leefolt, a young mother who doesn't really know how to run a family. Aibileen has raised many children in her life time, she takes care of Mae Mobley, Elizabeth's daughter.
Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, a young, white woman who just graduated from the University of Mississppi. Skeeter is a tall, 5'11, young lady who should have everything going for her. Instead she has never been on a date. Her frizzy doesn't fit well in a time where your hair had to be perfect. Skeeter makes the best of her life though.
Minny Jackson is a strong sass-mouthed African-American woman, who has a hard time keeping her mouth shut. At the beginning of the book Minny works for "Missus Walter" who is the mother of the "villian" in this book, Hilly Holbrook. Minny is fired from her job because of the Terrible Awful. And hired by Miss Celia Foote.
Skeeter decides to write a book from the point of view of the Help, or the African-American maids. She recruits the help of Aibileen and Minny to write it. The three of them become fast friends.
This book was amazing. There is so much the goes on in this book that you need to read several times to get the full value of it. It is not a difficult read. It is actually rather easy, but the content is most definetly for older people, meaning it is not a children's book. There is a large amount of cussing in the book. But it did not over power the book. There are also some topics that are not for young readers.
It is devastating the way people act to those whose skin is a different color. I grew up in a place where there was absolutely no segregation. I never realized that in the south, caucasians are still bitter against African-Americans.
I loved this book and would highly recommend everyone to read it.
Review by Sweetie Pie
Heart of Darkness
By Joseph Conrad
This book is consider piece of art. And I can see it. The way Joseph Conrad wrote this book was very elegant and beautiful. The book itself is somewhat of a hard read but not that much, I just had to get used to the writing style.
It is a narrative, so it is in first person, with a second first person. Sounds tricky. Joseph Conrad starts the story with a bunch of people on a boat, and the person actually telling the book was some person in this group of people. It is in first person. Then he is listening to a guy tell his story of the time he was in Africa. Most of the book is in this story, it goes back to the boat at times.
I was so confused by that. It was so confusing.
But other than that this book is pretty easy.
I would suggest this book to those who enjoy beautiful writing.
Review by Sweetie Pie
This book is consider piece of art. And I can see it. The way Joseph Conrad wrote this book was very elegant and beautiful. The book itself is somewhat of a hard read but not that much, I just had to get used to the writing style.
It is a narrative, so it is in first person, with a second first person. Sounds tricky. Joseph Conrad starts the story with a bunch of people on a boat, and the person actually telling the book was some person in this group of people. It is in first person. Then he is listening to a guy tell his story of the time he was in Africa. Most of the book is in this story, it goes back to the boat at times.
I was so confused by that. It was so confusing.
But other than that this book is pretty easy.
I would suggest this book to those who enjoy beautiful writing.
Review by Sweetie Pie
The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale
By Laura Lee Hope
I sometimes don't understand why I love a book so much. Sure I know why I love Jane Eyre but why I should I love a book like this one or even Through the Postern Gate. But I am pretty obsessed over this series although I did not like this book a whole lot. This book is not as good as the later books in the series so I would totally encourage you to read books seven through twelve in the series.
This story revolves around four girls who start a hiking club and decide to go on a long camping trip alone. This is in 1913 so that is pretty radical. There is Betty who is probably an early version on Nancy Drew but I find more emotionally realistic. Mollie is obviously like George although she is less of a tomboy and Grace is like Bess except that she is thin not plump. Amy is really just a saint of a girl but I still like her.
There are of course boys but I won't bring them up because they don't appear much in this book. I know that this is a short review but trust me when I get to my favorites I will have plenty to say.
Reviewed by Elizabeth
I sometimes don't understand why I love a book so much. Sure I know why I love Jane Eyre but why I should I love a book like this one or even Through the Postern Gate. But I am pretty obsessed over this series although I did not like this book a whole lot. This book is not as good as the later books in the series so I would totally encourage you to read books seven through twelve in the series.
This story revolves around four girls who start a hiking club and decide to go on a long camping trip alone. This is in 1913 so that is pretty radical. There is Betty who is probably an early version on Nancy Drew but I find more emotionally realistic. Mollie is obviously like George although she is less of a tomboy and Grace is like Bess except that she is thin not plump. Amy is really just a saint of a girl but I still like her.
There are of course boys but I won't bring them up because they don't appear much in this book. I know that this is a short review but trust me when I get to my favorites I will have plenty to say.
Reviewed by Elizabeth
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