Hildy Biddle is a 16 year old investigative reporter for her local high school newspaper called The Core. She has an incredible knack for covering events as they unfold in her small and sleepy town of Banesville, NY. But, Hildy yearns for the day when she can actually write that breakout story. As fate would have it, Hildy didn’t have to wait long. As a mysterious death and ghostly sightings begins to feed the fears of the local residents, Hildy has her work cut out for her.
Age recommendation: 13+
Genre: Mystery, Humor
Friday, October 30, 2009
Book review: "Beating Heart" by A.M. Jenkins
17 year old Evan moves into an old house with his mother and sister and he begins to experience some rather strange occurrences at night. Evan later discovers some very old newspaper clippings and photographs in the house and begins to piece together this mystery.
Writing is superb with words that flow and ebb along with the innermost thoughts.
Mild profanity and some minor sexual references
Audience: 16+
Genre: Mystery, Ghosts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Book review: "Riding the Flume" by Patricia Pfitsch
Patricia Pfitsch entertains us with an engaging tale of adventure and mystery involving giant sequoias, logging operations, and a fiesty young girl named Francie Cavanaugh. Set in the 1890s in the fictional town of Connorsville in Northern California, Francie is enthralled to be surrounded by majestic sequioas and is somewhat saddened to see the large trees being felled on a daily basis. However, things heat up when she finds a mysterious message tucked inside a sequoia that has been hidden there for over 6 years by her dead sister Carrie.
What is the meaning of that cryptic message? If she is to solve this mystery, she must break almost every rule she has grown up with including going against her father's wishes. A heavy price to pay.
Althougth the book is primarily intended is for tween/teen girls, boys will certainly appreciate the descriptions of the flumes and how dare devils in the day tried to ride it even under the threat of death.
A touching tale with lush and vivid descriptions of how a sequoia forest must have been like in the late 1800s.
Genre: Historical fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
What is the meaning of that cryptic message? If she is to solve this mystery, she must break almost every rule she has grown up with including going against her father's wishes. A heavy price to pay.
Althougth the book is primarily intended is for tween/teen girls, boys will certainly appreciate the descriptions of the flumes and how dare devils in the day tried to ride it even under the threat of death.
A touching tale with lush and vivid descriptions of how a sequoia forest must have been like in the late 1800s.
Genre: Historical fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Book review: "Wild Man Island" by Will Hobbs
Imagine being stranded on an island in Alaska with nothing except your clothes and your wits. As the days go by, your hunger begins to sap all your strength and you begin to eat all kinds of things you never thought of. Scary.
Now imagine that you are only 14 years old. Will Hobbs has written a compelling story about survival and exploration from the viewpoint of 14 year old Andy Galloway.
Andy encounters bears, wolves, sea lions, and even Orca whales. He then finds a strange wild man living off the island with a mysterious past.
A perfect book for those who love the outdoors, wildlife, kayaking, and cave exploration. Clean story with no profanity or violence.
Genre: Adventure fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
Now imagine that you are only 14 years old. Will Hobbs has written a compelling story about survival and exploration from the viewpoint of 14 year old Andy Galloway.
Andy encounters bears, wolves, sea lions, and even Orca whales. He then finds a strange wild man living off the island with a mysterious past.
A perfect book for those who love the outdoors, wildlife, kayaking, and cave exploration. Clean story with no profanity or violence.
Genre: Adventure fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Book review: "Brisingr" by Christopher Paolini
This is the 3rd installment of the Inheritance saga that all started with "Eragon". As with the 2nd book, this book immediately continues the adventures of Eragon, Saphira, and other main characters such as Arya, Roran, Nasuada, Orik.
At 700+ pages, this book is, yet, another hefty read. The reader, however, is treated to the inner political machinery of the dwarf nation, continued maturation of Eragon and Saphira, and more surprising relevations of character backgrounds. Murtagh and Thorn appear once again, much to the chagrin of Eragon and Saphira. Suffice to say that they will figure in prominently in the final 4th book.
As in the 2nd book, I wasn't too thrilled with reading the bits about Roran and I often wondered if the saga began to suffer from having too many characters floating around. I would have rathered read more about Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Orik, and Nasuada. I just wish Roran could have been relegated to a more minor role...but I can guess he will have a major impact in the final book as well.
So far, the only major disappointment has been in not finding out more about Galbatorix, the evil rider and his dragon. Up til now, Galbatorix seems to be a one dimensional character that is pure evil. Perhaps in the last book, he might become more multi-faceted or at least more complex.
I'm thinking that Christopher will probably dedicate at least a third of the final book to Galbatorix and trying to fill in the history of that character.
Nonetheless, this book is worth reading although some may be disappointed at having to wait again for another book.
Genre: Fantasy fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
At 700+ pages, this book is, yet, another hefty read. The reader, however, is treated to the inner political machinery of the dwarf nation, continued maturation of Eragon and Saphira, and more surprising relevations of character backgrounds. Murtagh and Thorn appear once again, much to the chagrin of Eragon and Saphira. Suffice to say that they will figure in prominently in the final 4th book.
As in the 2nd book, I wasn't too thrilled with reading the bits about Roran and I often wondered if the saga began to suffer from having too many characters floating around. I would have rathered read more about Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Orik, and Nasuada. I just wish Roran could have been relegated to a more minor role...but I can guess he will have a major impact in the final book as well.
So far, the only major disappointment has been in not finding out more about Galbatorix, the evil rider and his dragon. Up til now, Galbatorix seems to be a one dimensional character that is pure evil. Perhaps in the last book, he might become more multi-faceted or at least more complex.
I'm thinking that Christopher will probably dedicate at least a third of the final book to Galbatorix and trying to fill in the history of that character.
Nonetheless, this book is worth reading although some may be disappointed at having to wait again for another book.
Genre: Fantasy fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
Book review: "Eldest" by Christopher Paolini
This is the 2nd volume of the Inheritance saga that was began with "Eragon". This book picks up right after the battle in the Beor Mountains when a Ughal army was defeated by the Varden/dwarf army lead by Ajihad and Hrothgar.
At over 700 pages, it is quite a thick read. Although a few of the events are somewhat predictable, the writing is excellent and the characters do come to life. As I began to delve deeper into the story, several of the plot elements resemble that of a Greek tragedy....friends become enemies, enemies become allies, family feuds, and betrayals abound. The political overtones also become interweaved and Eragon is caught in the middle as always.
At least a good third of the story is about Roran, Eragon's cousin, and his efforts to free his village Carvahall from the clutches of the vile Empire. Readers will finally be introduced to the Elf civilization in the mysterious forests of Du Weldenvarden.
Despite the book length and some slow sections in the book and some characters I could do without (e.g., child/adult Elva), it is a quick read. Again recommended for those interested in fantasy and swords and sorcery epics.
Genre: Fantasy fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
At over 700 pages, it is quite a thick read. Although a few of the events are somewhat predictable, the writing is excellent and the characters do come to life. As I began to delve deeper into the story, several of the plot elements resemble that of a Greek tragedy....friends become enemies, enemies become allies, family feuds, and betrayals abound. The political overtones also become interweaved and Eragon is caught in the middle as always.
At least a good third of the story is about Roran, Eragon's cousin, and his efforts to free his village Carvahall from the clutches of the vile Empire. Readers will finally be introduced to the Elf civilization in the mysterious forests of Du Weldenvarden.
Despite the book length and some slow sections in the book and some characters I could do without (e.g., child/adult Elva), it is a quick read. Again recommended for those interested in fantasy and swords and sorcery epics.
Genre: Fantasy fiction
Age recommendation: 12+
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Book review: "Pool Boy" by Michael Simmons
Written in the first person narrative style, this is a story of a 15 year old boy named Brett Gerson who had lived the life of the fabulously rich. He ate at all the best restaurants and shopped at the most expensive places. He was also one who never bothered to look at a price tag or cared about cost. Then one day, his life is turned upside down when his father is caught by the police and his family is forced to give up their rich lifestyle and live like common folks.
For Brett, it was a harsh wake up call. After being used to a life of comfort, he now has to find a job to feed himself. Sadly, he continues to maintain his arrogant and rude behavior.
This book is an interesting study of how a person handles the harsh realities of surviving in the real world.
For those that enjoy such themes where rich and poor switch places (e.g., movies like Trading Places or books like Prince and the Pauper), this book is for you.
The ending is very touching and you are left wondering what will happen to Brett as he continues to grow.
Genre: Contemporary Life/Issues Fiction
Age Recommendation: 13+
For Brett, it was a harsh wake up call. After being used to a life of comfort, he now has to find a job to feed himself. Sadly, he continues to maintain his arrogant and rude behavior.
This book is an interesting study of how a person handles the harsh realities of surviving in the real world.
For those that enjoy such themes where rich and poor switch places (e.g., movies like Trading Places or books like Prince and the Pauper), this book is for you.
The ending is very touching and you are left wondering what will happen to Brett as he continues to grow.
Genre: Contemporary Life/Issues Fiction
Age Recommendation: 13+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
