Twilight Review

I've tried writing a professional(ish) and detached review of the Twilight "saga". However, I can't. I just get too "excited" about writing the review.

So, I am going to put this as simply as possible so my feelings are clear..... I hate the Twilight Series.... no no, I REALLY HATE the Twilight series. Bella annoys me, Edward is a jerk, and Jacob needs to stop being so needy. I don't find any of the characters fascinating, only to be flat, underdeveloped characters. I don't like the way Meyer writes, because she has no talent in it. I didn't bother reading the fourth (is it Breaking Dawn?) Well, I am finished. Thanks for reading.

Amanda Lukas (a moderator)

The Reader

The reader was an amazing novel to read. The setting is postwar germany in 1954. A young teen, Michael, comes down with a terrible illness and gets sick on the way home from school. He is resuced and helped by a much older women, Hanna. In time Hanna becomes his lover. Despite their over 15 year age difference, they happen to fall in love. Just as soon as she appears, Hanna dissapears. Years later Michael encounters her again during law school. He is sitting in on a trial. A trial in which Hanna is convicted of a horrible crime. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is fill with mystery, suspense, and romance. I reccomend it for everyone.

-SUMMER GOLLAR

Fleshmarket

Nicola Morgan’s Fleshmarket, is a tale about a male adolescent and his younger sister trying to survive in the slums of 1822 Edinburgh, Scotland. It starts off with a flash back from when protagonist Robbie was a small child and his mother had to have surgery. The man who performed surgery on Robbie’s mother, Dr. Robert Knox, will affect Robbie for the rest of his life. Robbie becomes obsessed with the thought of revenge on the man he holds responsible for the death of his mother and the demise of his family. In his obsession he looses sight of what really matters to him, his little sister Essie whom he must take care of due to his father’s prolonged absence and alcoholism, and becomes involved with two fiends Burke and Hare. Along the way to his revenge Robbie falls into a web of lies and crime in effort to bring him closer to Dr. Knox. This only sets him further away from Essie and his true self. However Robbie is introduced to a young medical student, by Essie, that makes an effort to bring Robbie back down to earth. Will Robbie do what his right and put his family first, or will he be further skewed by the wicked ways of Burke and Hare in his quest for revenge. Fleshmarket was a great book and I recommend it to anyone looking for a short book full of suspense.

Ron McDermott

Dragon's Keep- Carey Janet Lee-- Amanda Knotts

This was a fun book to read, taking place in a medival time period. A princess was born with a dragon claw that no one knows about but her mother. She knows there's a prophecy that says she'll stop a great war with the wave of her hand, but she can't even begin to guess what war it will be. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun adventure and likes dragons.

Marley and Me- John Grogran-- Amanda Knotts

I absolutely loved this book, even more than I loved the movie. It gave more attention to detail, more stories about the things Marley did and he even reminded me of my dog a little bit. Reading this story, you'll laugh, you may cry, and sometimes you'll laugh so hard you cry. I recommend this book to anyone who has seen or wants to see the movie because it explains some things that you overlook in the movie. I also recommend it to anyone who just wants to laugh at a crazy dog and admire how he brought a family together.

Untamed- PC and Kristen Cast-- Amanda Knotts

This book was full of surprises and scary creatures and spooky moments. Broken hearts, fakers, and friends sticking together in the end. Zoey and her enemy/ally grow an even stronger bond in this book and Aphrodite even seems to be loosening up and letting Zoey's friends in her circle. This was a wonderful book, but remember the words of Nyx, "Darkness does not always equate to evil, just as light does not always bring good." This series would be great for anyone who liked Twilight, or those who didn't, as well.

Chosen- PC and Kristen Cast-- Amanda Knotts

The third book in the "House of Night" series was as good as the rest and kept me at the edge of my seat. Zoey tries to find a way to get her "undead dead" best friend's humanity back. She finally succeeds after she listened to her goddess's advice, and Stevie Rae is once again herself... sort of. I reccomend this wonderful book to those who love small adventures and some romance.

Betrayed PC and Kristen Cast

Zoey's best friend dieas and somehow comes "back to life." The only way to save her is to beomce allies with the enemy, Aphrodite. Neferet, Zoey's mentor and the high priestess begins acting very strange. Zoey juggles three boyfriends while trying to fix the undead/dead Stevie Rae. This was a good book, and I couldn't wait to read the next one. I would reccomend it to anyone who has read the first one.

Amanda Knott

Marked by DC and Kristen Cast

This book (first of many) was written by a mother and her daughter together, which makes the book better. The daughter, who is in college, provies a younger influence. She gives the main character, Zoey, a more accurate and current teenage mind. The mother's input provides a more mature and weathered air to the adults. I find that the two create a balanced book. The setting takes place outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a young girl gets married as a vampyre and sent to "The House of Night." The House of Night is a school where fledgling vampyres attend classes that teach them house to cope with the changes their body and mind will make such as blood lust, sleeping during the day, night vision, etc.... Zoey finds out she's special soon after she's marked when the vampyre goddess Nyx pays her a visit. Zoey must learn to deal with the becoming a vampyre, making new friends, making several enemies, and being special. This was certainly different from the Twilight saga, but I was ready to read more when I was done. I would tell many people to read this book.

Amanda Knotts

Damaged by Cathy Glass

Damagaed is the story of a young girl who's life has been hell from birth. She's raped and abused by the people who are supposed to love and care for her most. After 8 years of the ongoing trama, she's rescued by social services and is ordered in foster care. Jodie is a very damaged little girl who needs more help than almost humanly possible. But Cathy Glass, an experienced foster carer with children of her own, is up for the challenge. Will she be able to help Jodie back into a normal life? Will she be able to fade the pain from Jodie's life?

-MEGAN RITTER

Dark Portal

Dark Portal is about a group of school aged mice that are lured behind that face of an ancient grill that they've been warned about since before they can remember. once through, their lives are in terrible constant danger. With rats and all manner of other creatures out to make a meal of them. but they stumble onto something much bigger than themselves and end up responsible for saving everyone they know because not a soul would believe them about the dangers down below, even if they could admit to going down in the first place
Dark Portal was actually an extremely interesting book. You would think that since the main characters are animals that the book would be childish but it wasn't. Also, the complicated additives of religion, and prejudice between the social classes are very interesting and somewhat ironic given that the main characters are animals.

Catherine Kendell

Border Lines by Caroline Kraus

Border Lines by Caroline Kraus is about two young women. Caroline and Jane met at work and are best friends. Completely entwined in each other's lives. Jane is charismatic, in fact everyone she meets seems to be under her spell; and Caroline is lucky enough to be in her inner circle. But their relationship is a strange one. A sexless marriage the Way Jane describes it. And not an easy one For Caroline, Jane is living off of Caroline's inheritance, sabotaging her relationships with the other people in her life, and when Caroline wont do what she wants Jane cuts herself. And when she tries to get out Jane attacks her, and threatens to kill herself.This novel is original to say the least. I couldn't put in down. You can sympathize with Caroline and even Jane at times. And you can feel the bond between them and the certain sickness to it.

Catherine Kendell

Forged by Fire By Sharon M. Draper

Forged by Fire is the second book in the Hazelwood High School Trilogy. This novel is bout a boy named Gerald, he is a home with a drug addicted mother and a alcoholic step dad who beats him. In the beginning Gerald is just three years old and his mother is addicted to cocaine and leaves him home by himself during the day. While home by himself he finds a lighter and ingnites a apartment fire, after being bought out by the police and suffering from smoke inhalation his mother is forced to jail and for the next 6 years Gerald lived with his Aunt Queen. When his mother is let out of jail 6 years later she comes to his Aunt on Geralds 9th birthday hoping to get him to come live with her and her new boyfriend Jordan. Gerald also finds out that day he has a little sister named Angel, which he learns to love more than anything. Gerald didn't want to move away from his Aunt Queen, but when she has a unexpected heart attack and dies he is forced back to his mama. He realizes that Jordan is crazy and abusive. He abuses Angel and Gerald and there mother. Monique, his mother, never does anything about it though, she just takes and says the kids deserve it. As you read on you find out that Jordan is a nasty man who sexually abuses his daughter Angel. Gerald does everything in his power to keep everyone safe esspecially Angel thoughout the whole book. You will absolutely love this book and the first one Tears of a Tiger. There are themes of hardship and abuse and how hard it is to live in that type of place for so long. -posted by Elena Key

Candy

Candy is the story of a teenage boy who finds himself infatuated, borderline obsessed with a heroin addicted prostitute named candy. She seems to like him to and they spend some time together until it angers Candy's pimp. Candy tells Joe to stay away for his own good but he simply can't do it. He tracks her down to her house, but her pimp finds them there and is going to kill Joe and punish Candy for not listening to him. i wont give away the end but it's a good one.Personally i liked this book. It's got the kind of suspense that it's hard to capture in the written word. And great thought flow. And Candy herself is a very well developed character; you can understand how she ended up in this situation even though the situation itself is larger-than-life. Very easy to relate to.

Catherine Kendell

Tears of a Tiger By Sharon M. Draper

In the novel Tears of a Tiger Andy, Robbie, BJ and Tyrone were all best friends. When participating in drinking and driving, which kills people every day, Andy accidentally kills his best friend Robbie in a car accident pinning him the car where he was trapped and died. As you read you see that Andy has a really hard time dealing with the guilt and stress, he even came to school one day and found a sign on his locker that said killer. Andy has no intention of ever hurting Robbie or any of his friends for that matter. Andy finds it harder to find help, he has a lot of trouble with depression and begins to lose everyone. This book is a great read, i didn't want to spoil the ending it has many life lessons and being a teenager myself i found it very relateable. -Posted by Elena Key

Snitch by Norah McClintock

In the novel snitch a troubled teenager named josh has been put into an anger management program. Instead of the normal program where you sit down and talk about your problem, he actually has to patiently train dogs without using his temper when he’s frustrated. He has been troubled his whole life, his dad was an alcoholic who died in a car accident. He has lived with his brother Andrew and his wife Miranda since his best friend at the time Scott ratted him out at the group home. Miranda and josh do not get along very well, she thinks he’s a really bad kid, but he really isn’t at all. She accuses him of all sorts of things and even throws his clothes to the curb. Josh becomes very tense when at the anger management program when Scott shows up in the same class. When josh is framed for a crime he didn’t commit Miranda and Andrew don’t know what to think and become very suspension and worried about josh. This book is a very easy read and good for any teenager. –Posted by Elena Key

A Child Called It

i read the book a child called it and it is a really good book. it is about this little boy getting abused by his mother. she was really bad she made him sleep in the garage, wear dirty clothes, she would lock him in the bathroom and mix chemicals together and make him breathe it in. he would go to school stinking because he wasnt aloud to take a bath, she wouldnt feed him right she would only give him leftovers from everyone elses plate that they didnt eat. she was really mean to him one of the actions he almost died from it. she made him lay on the hot stove and whem the baby pooped she would make him eat the dirty diaper. this is journal and a book review.

Bobbie McNay

Breaking Dawn

breaking dawn is a rerally good book. it is about where bella and edward is getting married and they tell bellas dad and he doent take it to well but he tells bell that she is going to be the onr to tell her mother and when she does tell her mom. her mom asks like that she knew that it was going to happen to her. because she sis the same thing when she was bellas age.

Bobbie McNay

Breaking Dawn

i read the book twillight breaking dawn and it is a really good book. i recommend that everyone reads it. i really liked it. it was about edward and bella getting married and they told their dad and he didnt like the fact at first but he told bella that she was the one going to tell her mom and not him.

Bobbie McNay

Night Hoops

Night Hoops by Walter Dean Myers is a book about basketball with kids that just got into high school. Trent Dawson is a trouble maker at the begining with his older brother, but towards the end he shapes up and him and Nick Abott play ball for their high school team. Nick and Trent start out hating each other but they play good together. They beat every team they play. Until Trent gets into some trouble with his older brother and his brother wants him to move away but they have the championship game coming up and Nick is upset because he dont know what trent is going to do and Nick wants to win. Book review Josh Eminhizer

All-in by Hautman

All-in by Pete Hautman is a great book on poker. The book is exciting and easy to read if you like poker or play it. The book is about a young kid that has a fake id and gambles alot. He is really good at it and plays in many tournaments and towards the beginining he loses alot of money and gets out his pocket change to start fresh. He builds back up his money a little and goes broke again. Book review by Josh Eminhizer

Fairest by Levine

Fairest by gail garson levine. the book fairest is an ok book. i liked it some but not so well. i would not want to read it over and over. to me it was boring some parts at least. so no i do not recomend it.

Bobbie McNay

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

i read the book "Buffy the vampire slayer" and i recommend everyone to read it it is a really good book. i think that they should be able to read it in their english classes . it is reallygood. it is about when buffy teaches dawn (buffys little sister) how to kill vampires. Dawn endes up getting attacked and buffy had to save her but the vampire didnt get a chance to bite her. it is an awesome action/vampire killing book. some things that is in it funny but it is really great book.

Bobbie McNay

I Know It's Over by C.K. Kelly Martin

I Know It's Over is a very moving, and emotional novel. Highschool junior Nick has the perfect summer planned. It is going to be perfect and stress-free. That is until he falls deeply in love with Sasha, his beautiful girlfriend. Things take an unexpected turn when Sasha abruptly ends the relationship before the summer is over. Heartbroken and confused, Nick is shocked when Sasha shows up on his porch one month later, pregnant. Even after a failed relationship, Nick and Sasha must work together to overcome this huge change in their lives. The decision that they make will effect them forever. This book is a great novel to read.

-SUMMER GOLLAR

Be True To Your School by Bob Greene

Be True To Your School is a coming of age novel about the life and times of High Schooler Bob Greene. The year is 1964, and Greene and his friends spend their summers crusing the town of Bexly, OH and listening to the Beatles. Anyone who is, or was ever in high school should read this book. Not only does it provide the insight to a young teen's mind, it also relates to events that affect almost any highschooler. From a series of bad hair cuts, to heartbreaks, Greenes novel really relates. This is a must read.

-SUMMER GOLLAR

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer- Amanda Knotts

This was a great book, however, I'm not sure how much I liked the ending (which was the typical "happily ever after"). It slightly bored me, though I still enjoyed the whole book. There was no physical combat between the Cullen's and the Volturi, and few vampires died, leaving the story with hardly any drama toward the end. So the 4th book in the Twilight Saga didn't impress me much, but I adored the whole Saga. I would recommend this book to anyone who has started the Saga and is on the third book, Eclipse.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer- Amanda Knotts

In the third book in the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, Bella struggles to decide who she loves more (Edward or Jacob) while an enraged vampire hunts her. Victoria, the mate of the deceased James, wants Bella dead for revenge. She begins gathering a newborn vampire army, whose killings and movement awaken the Quileuet Tribe. The teenage boys, decendants of the first Quileuet chiefs, begin transforming into "werewolves", the natural enemy of vampires. The only way to beat Victoria is for the Cullen family and the werewolves to fight together.This was a great book and I would reccomend it to anyone. I'll let you see how it ends.

The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer

The Lost Boy is the second book on a triolgy by Dave Pelzer. Many real life topics are discussed throughout the book. Unfortunately, these things really happen. Not only the brutal beatings he endured but the tossing from foster home to foster home through his childhood. There are a couple things they can be seen to have happened for the good, howevever. Experiences he went through made him stronger and helped him grow up quicker so he could support himself. Read this book and watch how Dave grows into a young man. - Kasey Turner

A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer

This is the third and final book of this intriguing series. It is a perfect example of how negative life experiences make you stronger. In this book you see how Dave becomes and strong man in the military, husband, and father. He still has to endure his mothers evil tortures and stalkings. Dave deals with a lot of money issues while he tries to support a woman he isnt sure he even loves and his son. You will see how this heartbreaking series comes to a fairytale- type end. - Kasey Turner

"How I Paid For College by Marc Acito"

How I Paid For College was a hilariously written book. The main character Edward is a theater student growing up in a small New Jersey town in the year of 1984. Edward auditions for a sport at the most prestige acting school in the country, Julliard. To his own disbelief he snags a spot in the upcoming semester for his freshmen year of college. Edward's father refuses to pay for the school because he does not believe that acting is an acceptable career for a young gentlemen. Together Edward and his best friends launch a plan involving theft, imbezzelment, and trickery as they attempt to steal the tuition of 10, 000 from Edward's own father. The bonded friendships that they form throughout the journey is indescribable . This book was entertaining and very fun to read.

Summer Gollar

"Just Listen by Sarah Dessen"

Just Listen is the compelling story of a teenage girl who stuggles to open up, and tell the truth about things. After a fallout with a friend, Annabel can't seem to find the courage to tell anyone the truth about what really happened that night at the party. By a twist of fate, Annabel meets a fellow classmate Owen Armstrong, a guy obsessed with music, and always dedicated to tell the truth. Can the girl who holds everything in open up to quite possibly the most open and honest boy at her school? Annabels journey is very uplifting and this novel is a wonderful read.

Summor Gollar

National Velvet by Enid Bagnold-----Jenny Robinson

National Velvet is a story of a little girl who loves horses. Their family helper, Mi tells her all kinds of stories of The Grand National. Velvet ends up inheriting some horses and wins a piebald from a fair. Velvet puts them in the local gymkhana to have fun and do small racing. Velvet does well but the Piebald didn't. Eventually Velvet and Mi enter the Piebald in The Grand National. The book was pretty boring most of the way through until you got to the race. However it's still a good book and I think a young age group of horse lovers would love it. I thought it was just okay.

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga-- Jenny Robinson

Boy Toy is a really good book. I could'nt put the book down. Josh throughout the book talks of these "flickers'' that he has. When he flickers the words are italicized and you can sense that something has happened to him. Later he reveals to his best friend that he hasn't spoken to in 5 years because of a certain incident. Wow was it shocking to hear. Read Boy Toy you wont be disappointed.

Upstate

the book upstate is a really good book. Antonio's (the main character) father used to beat on his mother and come home drunk. So Antonio got tired of seeing his father beat on his mother and he got upset and started to stab his father with a butcher knife. they hid the body for about 2 weeks and the cops came to their apartment and Antonio turned himself in to the police. but Antonio and his girlfriend wrote letters back and forth to each other the whole time he was in jail. they got engaged and everything. when Antonios mother and little brothers came to see him his girlfriend natisha would come too

Bobbie McNay

Dear John

Dear John is a heartbreaking book. As you read it, you will find yourself feeling as if the characters are a part of your own life. John is your average small town army dude. Savannah is raised in a conservative home and is in town to build a house for a Habitat for Humanity project. Along the way, they fall in love, quickly. John's leave from the army is up in just a few days and you will see how a real long distance relationship works, with a few twists of coarse. - Kasey Turner

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

The Tenth Circle is a story of a young teenage girl, Trixie, who has fallen deeply in love with an older teenage boy named Jason. After they break up, Trixie is heart broken and willing to do anything possible to get Jason back. One night at a party something happens between them. Trixie falls apart and copes in an unhealthy way. In the end, Jason Underhill is dead and Trixie has disappeared. Trixie's father goes on a journey to find and protect his daughter.

-MEGAN RITTER

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

this book review is about the book Buffy the Vampire slayer. it is a really good book the one that i read was about buffy teaching her little sister Dawn what and how to kill a vampires. Buffy took Dawn to the cemetery to kill the vampire but Dawn almost got bitten by one but buffy helped her out.

Bobbie McNay

Awakening

This book is one of suspense. The main character is a young girl who is very, very confused about who she is. She lost her memory in some kind of accident that she doesnt remember. The beginning of the book takes place in a mental hospital until her apparent mother shows up to get her. It is a long journey about finding out who she is, or who she is led to believe she is. It is part of a series, which honestly i probably won't continue reading.

Kassandra Turner