Review Roundup: 7/30/10

Ever wonder what other teens are reading? Check out these hot reads!

Title of the Book: Take the Reins
Author: Jessica Burkhart
Name of Reviewer: Kylie Dickinson
Description: The book Take the Reins, is without a doubt one of my favorite books, in fact the entire Canterwood Crest series is wonderful. In the beginning, Sasha is sent to a private boarding school because it has an amazing horseback riding program as well as excellent educational classes. Her horse, Charm, is practically her only friends in the beginning besides her roommate Paige. She starts out on a bad foot because Charm ran away on her first day at Canterwood and also caused the "queen's" horse Aristocrat to run away. So, almost automatically, Sasha is hated by Heather (the queen). Life is very challenging and dramatic as Heather tries to get Sahsa kicked off of the riding team and despised by everybody at school.
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Title of Book: The Facts behind the Helsinki Roccamatios
Author: Yann Martel
Name of Reviewer: Stephanie
Description: The book includes 4 stories written by the author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel, when he was a growing writer. The title story is about two young friends who weave the story of the Roccamatios when one friend, Paul, is ailed with AIDs. Paul quickly deteriorates under his condition, but continues to help tell the story with his friend. His friend, the narrator, notices how their lives are blackened as Paul slowly dies. While the writing in these stories show signs that Martel was only starting to write, the stories reveal sophisticated ideologies about humanity. Each story is touching in its own unique way and shows a different type of writing style. The stories are short but keep the reader thinking about them long after.

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Title of Book: Treasure Island
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Name of Reviewer: Purnaesh
Description: Sailing the high seas and finding treasure is a dream every boy has, and young Jim Hawkins is no exception. He finds the key to wealth and the terrible Captain Flint’s treasure. Joining him are some other honest treasure seekers, and of course, no treasure hunt is complete without pirates. And to get to the gold, he’s got pirates, death, and a fight for survival. But he endures through many attempted murders, musket fights and cutlasses. In the end, many lives are lost, but the Gold is safe, and every living man present gets a share.
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Title of Book: Cindy Ella
Author: Robin Palmer
Name of Reviewer: Archana
Description: Cindy Ella is such a humor filled booked. I have laughed countless times throughout it. It’s really interesting to see how the main character, Cindy, despises prom. And it is inspiring how she never changes her opinion about it even when her two best friends and her sisters are going to prom. Cindy keeps her head tall even though no one can believe that it is possible to hate prom. All the embarrassing events that happen to Cindy made me laugh but at the same time I wondered how she would get through these events without cracking. This book is like a modern fairy tale. Just like Cinderella, Cindy has a stepmom and two stepsisters. Reading this book showed me that you should always stay strong of your opinion because it could pay off later.
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Title of Book: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Author: C. S. Lewis
Name of Reviewer: Bisma
Description: If you enjoyed the movie, you will certainly enjoy this novel by C. S. Lewis. In brief, the story is about four children named Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy who are sent to live in another home due to the air raids. While they stay there, the youngest sibling, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe. Inside, she finds the wintery land of Narnia. She meets a faun named Mr. Tumnus who tells her about the evil witch who rules Narnia. However, Edmund, her brother, falls under the witch’s spell and starts to help her. Will Lucy and her siblings be able to save Narnia and their brother Edmund?
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Title of Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Name of Reviewer: Joy
Description: The final installment in the internationally famed Harry Potter series succeeds in giving an outstanding ending Harry’s long journey. Like the previous books, Harry Potter once again must valiantly fight against the evil forces as the wizard world collapses into war. Voldemort, perhaps the evilest and vilest wizard to live, continues to spread his malevolent reign in his quest for tyranny and complete power. Harry now adventures out on a dangerous journey to find the key to Voldemort’s defeat using a collection of clues left behind by Dumbledore. Of course, Harry is accompanied by his two best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger; their friendship is tested by the many strains of evading capture. The book is rather long but worth the read. It is a thrilling coming of age story as Harry must use all his strength to fight against the growing evil.
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Title of Book: Beacon Street girls crush alert (#14)
Author: Annie Bryant
Name of Reviewer: Alisha
Description: Beacon street girls is my favorite book of the year.It is about 5 friends who are going to the dance. There is a bit of a twist that they don't have anyone to go with. It get's complicated when love triangles form and the dance is so close. Will all the girls be able to go to the dance with who they wanted to? Beacon Street Girls is an awesome book about 5 friends. Once you start reading it you will want to continue reading to the last page.
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Title of Book:- Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Author:- Richard Bach
Name of reviewer:- Nidhi
Description:- This book is one of my favorite read. On its surface it is a story about Jonathan, a seagull who tries to give new definition to his life apart from being just a normal seagull who fly for its being designed to do so Jonathan believes that its not only about flying for the sake of doing it but for him flying is a completely different and unique adventure which he wants to learn in all aspects and to its greatest depths and a way to reach something called perfection. So with this prospective story continues and tells us what he does to achieve it and what hurdles he crosses for it but the most interesting and irresistible part of the story is that when read line to line it has more meaning to give to the mankind by creating a analogy with the thoughts a seagull to that of the humans. This book is a ocean of thoughts following through its 127 pages which could lead a person to a completely unique and different way of thinking towards life and make it much more meaningful to live.
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Title of the Book: Soul Surfer
Author: Bethany Hamilton
Name of Reviewer: Maria
Description: Soul Surfer is a true story about Bethany Hamilton; she has a strong passion for surfing. This is a story of a determined and strong-willed girl. While surfing in Kauai, Hawaii on Halloween morning, Bethany Hamilton went through something that would change her life forever. She was attacked by a shark and lost her arm because of it. In her story, she explains her experience, the thoughts that went through her mind, and how, not even the loss of her arm could part her from her beloved surfboard. This book will inspire you and show you the true meaning of determination and faith. I recommend this book to boys or girls of any age over twelve. This is a great story for those who share Bethany’s love for surfing and the ocean, or those who merely enjoy a good survival story.