Review Roundup: 8/6/10

Need ideas for books this summer? Get some ideas from our teen book reviewers!

Title of Book: The Summoning
Author: Kelly Armstrong
Name of Reviewer: Maria
Description: The Summoning is by far the best book I have read in the year 2010. Throughout the entire book, I felt as though I were standing side by side with each character, sharing their emotions. The Summoning focuses on Chloe Saunders, a completely normal girl, or so she thought. It all began when she started having dreams of speaking to ghosts and then actually sees them in the hallways of her high school. Chloe is sent away to a group home for teens with what some called, “mental illnesses.” As Chloe quickly found out, by mental illness, they meant special abilities. This book will make chills run down your spine with every ghost and will leave you begging for the sequel The Awakening. I recommend this book for those who are not faint of heart and who crave a good thrill.
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Title of Book: Sylvie and the Songman
Author: Time Binding
Name of Reviewer: Kylie Dickinson
Description: The book is definitely one of the most adventurous books that I have ever read. Sylvie and her friends travel everywhere in search of her dad who never returned one day after work. The only thing causing them problems on their journey is the songman, he is trying to capture them and end their quest. Sylvie has so many adventures that the author tends to babble on a bit, but eventually gets back on track and leaves you hanging at the end of several of the large chapters. All in all, I thought this book was very long, but detailed and the author really painted a picture of every scene in your mind.

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Tile of Book: The Looking Glass Wars
Author: Frank Beddor
Name of Reviewer: Vanessa
Description: Alyss is the heir to the throne of Wonderland, until her evil aunt Redd decides to visit again. Killing Alyss’s mother and father, Redd goes after her. The only way to escape Redd alive is for Alyss and her bodyguard Hatter to go through the pool of tears that no one has come out alive in. Hatter and Alyss get separated in the pool, and going to different place in the ‘real world’, our world. As Hatter searches for Alyss all over the world so she can return to Wonderland and battle Redd for her rightful place as Queen, Alyss is in Victorian London where she meets an author who she tells her story to. Will Hatter succeed in bring Alyss back in to Wonderland? Is Alyss able to remember her magical childish self and believe that she is the next heir to Wonderland? Read the 3 part 358-paged book to find out.
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Title of Book: The Last Song
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Name of Reviewer: Riya
Description: #1 bestselling author Nicholas Sparks's new novel is at once a compelling family drama and a heartrending tale of young love. Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them. Therefore, this book is one of the best books I have read. It is most definitely unforgettable and will leave you deeply touched.
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Title of Book: The Glorious Cause
Author: Jeff Shaara
Name of Reviewer: Stephanie
Description: This historical novel is one in a series by Shaara that depict the American Revolution. This novel focuses on the actual fighting and is told through the points of views of various generals and a few others. The Glorious Cause is by no means light reading because of its length and amount of substance. It should be rightfully dreaded if seen on a summer reading list given by the school. However, this novel does teach the American Revolution very well. The novel provides both British and American points of view and insight to the politics of the time. The battles are explained in a vivid and exciting way. The history of the American Revolution is humanized and thus brought to the reader’s understanding. However, it is long and requires dedication to finish it.
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Title of Book: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Name of Reviewer: Archana
Description: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is such a heart-warming story. This book shows you how true friendship can be. And you realize how much of an unbreakable bond there is between the four best friends, Lena, Bridget, Tibby, and Carmen. It is so interesting to see how much their friendship means and how they help each other overcome obstacles. And it’s very interesting to see how their friendship is based upon a pair of pants that is passed around. And the pants are “magical” and can somehow fit all four of them. There are many laughs and tears that could come from this book. This book leaves you wanting to read the second book in the series.