Big+Mac+Book+Reviews


 * __Big Mac Readers rating system: __ Best book ever: [[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="28" height="34"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]][[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O4Z2815wufT6MbIGTB9Fl7-MNSAwUa2-_PdBBWe5yXXzIiM7nbEJZm8Mt9dgQFDwAm0fvIqKqSDTjHElEBil0cux-sexdvEJBRcGblWHOB7Qj_ENuMa-8hRBNwZ41HMlzaMqmVA width="29" height="35"]]

Worst book ever: none || || Set in a dark vision of near future a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her younger sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence.
 * [[image:hungergames.jpg]] || =The Hunger Games Trilogy= (Complete Hunger Games Series)
 * by Suzanne Collins **

-Reviewed by Goodreads -Uploaded by Ryan ||
 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Divergent_%28book%29_by_Veronica_Roth_US_Hardcover_2011.jpg width="246" height="366" caption="Divergent (book) by Veronica Roth US Hardcover 2011.jpg"]] || ** Insurgent **
 * (Divergent Series #2) **

by Veronica Roth With both the Dauntless and Abnegation factions shattered by the Erudite attack, Tris and her companions seek refuge with Amity and Candor, and even among the factionless. But the Erudite search for "Divergents" continues relentlessly. They have a secret to protect—one they fear could prove more catastrophic than open warfare; one they will slaughter to keep hidden... Rather than ease readers back into this convoluted narrative, the book plunges the characters into immediate danger without clues to their current relationships, let alone their elaborate back stories. The focus is firmly on the narrator Tris, who, devastated by guilt and grief, reveals new depth and vitality. While taking actions less Dauntless than recklessly suicidal, she retains her convenient knack for overhearing crucial conversations and infallibly sizing up others. The unrelenting suspense piles pursuit upon betrayal upon torture upon pitched battles.

-Reviewed by Kirkus-Uploaded by Haden-Edited by Ryan review || =The Maze Runner= =(Maze Runner Series #1)=
 * [[image:http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9780385737951_p0_v2_s260x420.JPG caption="The Maze Runner (Maze Runner Series #1)"]] ||

** by James Dashner ** October Book of the Month Boys come to the Glade via an empty freight elevator with no memory of how they got there or of their prior lives. This disorientation is made more frightening when they realize that to survive they must lock themselves in every night to avoid the horrors of the Grievers, beings that are part machine, part animal—and altogether deadly. The boys in the Glade send out Runners each day to find a way out through the Maze that surrounds their one patch of safety, with no success. Life goes on until one day the elevator delivers a girl. She brings a message: She is the last child to be sent, and there will be no more deliveries of food or supplies. Now the Glade is cut off, and as the Grievers gather for an all-out attack it’s clear that it’s now or never—the Maze //must// be solved. Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next. //(Science fiction. 12 & up)//

// -Reviewed by Kirkus // //-Uploaded by Ryan //

//review// ||
 * [[image:https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZrajzoEXNlRWjMGE9L3kqI1EsFN9P5HCNhMo4xaqLkWuhAixo]] || All books descending from this location are written by the previous runners of this website. All books above this are reviewed and/or uploaded by the new owners of this website. Please feel free to check out the below books, though. ||
 * [[image:Chasing_Vermeer.jpg width="116" height="166" align="center"]] || __Chasing Vermeer__ by Blue Balliett

“Dear Friend: I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old.” This simple anonymous letter left on the doorsteps of three different residents of the same town kicks off a complex mystery involving the theft of a Vermeer painting. Classmates Petra and Calder come together and find themselves at the center of this international art scandal.

A series of coincidences, unanswered questions and secret codes are a central part of this story which is part mystery, part puzzle and part adventure. Petra and Calder must put all the pieces together without knowing who can help because everyone is under suspicion. And they are racing against the clock so they can find the thief before he goes through with his threat and destroys the valuable piece of art.

This is a fun, slowly-unfolding story with lots of twists and turns.

REVIEWED BY MRS. BARBARINO || ||
 * [[image:bc_-_Heist_Society.png width="109" height="162" align="center"]] || __Heist Society__ by Ally Carter

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s called Heist Society. It was written by Ally Carter. I think it would be a great book for any middle school students. This is a really great book with 287 pages.

Katarina Bishop—or Kat—is a thief, just like the rest of her family. Soon after beginning to attend Colgan School and stepping down from the family theft business, her friend and fellow thief, Hale, gets her kicked out. At first, Katarina is a little bit angry at Hale for getting her kicked out of her one chance at being a normal girl. When she learns his reason for getting her kicked out, the anger fades. She must help her father out of a major problem—and it isn’t even his fault! Her dad is blamed for stealing some priceless paintings—which he claims he didn’t steal, and, of course, Katarina believes him. She idolizes her father for being a great thief. Now, Kat has fourteen days to locate these missing paintings. But finding them isn’t all the has to do—she has so steal them back for a very dangerous, threatening, and rich man named Arturo Taccone. Of course, she’s not alone—Hale and her Uncle Eddie will help her, at least she thinks they will. This job isn’t a normal job, it isn’t an easy job, and her family won’t be backing her the entire time. More than anything, Kat wishes to succeed and make everyone proud. After all, there’s a lot on the line. If she doesn’t succeed, her dad is more trouble than ever before. And if she does succeed, it’ll be a miracle.

I really liked this book and it has many strengths. It was full of surprises. It was hard to put down because you never had a clue as to what would happen next. Things just happened and you were actually surprised by the turn in events in Kat’s adventures. The next thing I liked about this book was how nothing ever happened like you’d think it would. When you’d guess that your uncle would be supportive of your mission to save your father, think again. Uncle Eddie doesn’t support Katarina like you’d think he would. He forbids the adventure she’s about to take. I also liked how even when they shouldn’t be doing something, they did it. For instance, it is entirely illegal to rob priceless paintings—even if you’re stealing them back—but that doesn’t stop Kat! She still attempts to rob one of the best museums in the world. I also liked how it didn’t matter that they were young; they actually used their young age to their advantage. I really liked how they were still great thieves despite the fact they were young. It was interesting how Kat could work her young age to being her advantage. She could blend in with the field trip groups and look innocent, because nobody would ever suspect a young girl who was attending a painting class at the museum. I would recommend this book to middle school-aged students who like a book full of problems with seemingly impossible solutions and a lot of surprises.

REVIEWED BY JULIA F, Class of 2017 ||
 * [[image:The_Invisible_Rules_of_the_Zoe_Lama.jpg width="120" height="272" align="center"]] || __The Invisible Rules of the Zoe Lama__ by Tish Cohen

Have you ever given someone advice that backfired soon after? The book, The Invisible Rules of the Zoe Lama, is about a girl finally becoming overwhelmed by her busy, busy life. The author of this 247 page book is Tish Cohen. She has geared the story towards 10 to 13 year old girls. This book was a fantastic story for those girls who try to please everyone.

She started coming up with these rules to help people get through life easily as early as kindergarten. As she got older, more and more kids asked for her advice. That made Zoe feels very powerful. She began to take on too many responsibilities at school because everyone asked her to, such as chairing a school dance committee and training the new girl on how to get through school easily. She also had problems at home she was trying to fix. She was trying to keep her grandma with Alzheimer’s disease out of a nursing home. Zoe was also trying to find her widowed mother a new husband. She couldn’t manage all of these situations at one time. People began to question if her rules work at all. She felt like she had messed up everything for everyone she was trying to help.

I would definitely recommend this book to a girl in this age group. I really liked all of the characters because Cohen described them well and used them equally throughout the book. The rules Zoe came up with were easy to understand and witty. Zoe had great explanations about each one. I also felt the author explained all of the hardships of middle school well. The situations Zoe was in were similar to those lots of middle-school aged kids face. However, as the reader I found it hard to follow all of the responsibilities Zoe was juggling. This made the book sometimes confusing. The author often jumped back and forth between the story lines and it made the story choppy. It’s a good book to read for pleasure and fun. Many kids will be able to relate to Zoe’s experiences. Sometimes it’s hard to make good choices when wanting to do it all. In Zoe’s case, she had great friends to help her through it all. We could all learn something from reading this book. Even though it feels good to help, you need to make sure you don’t take on more than you can handle. This was a great lesson I learned about life.

REVIEWED BY MARISSA H, Class of 2017 ||
 * [[image:Tell_Me_Everything.jpg width="104" height="160" align="center"]] || __Tell Me Everything__ by Carolyn Coman

In the 156 page book by Carolyn Coman, “Tell me Everything” expresses a girl and her love for her mother. After the tragic accident of her mothers’ death, will Roz be able to find Nate, the boy her mother died trying to save, before he disappears forever? The intended audience for a mature book like this, I would say, is 13+, only because the book has some language that is inappropriate for younger audiences. Will Roz Jacoby ever find out what really happened to her mother, Ellie? “Tell me Everything” has many important moments in the rising action that help explain the climax. A number of these events include when Roz and her uncle, Mike, go to family therapy to get over Ellie’s death. Right after that, Roz decides to call Nate and find out what really happened on the mountain, that day. But as she dials his phone number, the operator tells Roz that the number she is trying to reach is now unlisted. As she panics, Roz makes the big decision of going to Montclair, New Jersey, where Nate lives.

I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy drama, suspense, and passion in what they read. I liked the idea of this story. I liked how Coman expresses her ideas through Roz, the perfect character for this book. I disliked how Coman described Roz’ way down to New Jersey. The story, at that point, started to die down. Although, the passion and suspense came back as the story moved on. Overall, I thought the book was great! There was a perfect amount of details to give the reader a great, clear picture of the whole plot. “Tell me Everything” was a great story that I enjoyed reading.

REVIEWED BY ALEXA M, Class of 2017 || ||
 * [[image:The_Mother_Daughter_Book_Club.jpg width="90" height="129" align="center"]] || __The Mother Daughter Book Club__ by Heather Vogel Frederick

Have you ever read The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick? Intended for girls ages 10 and up, it’s 236 pages long. It’s the first book in a series of, as of now, five books. There are four main characters (Emma, Jess, Cassidy, and Megan) that are all starting sixth grade. I loved The Mother-Daughter Book Club! Friendships, secret crushes, hockey, and fashion designing are just a few of the exciting things in this book. When the moms of our four main characters try to start a book club, the daughters want nothing to do with it. Emma has already read Little Women, the book they've chosen. Jess’ mom is in New York, acting on a TV show. What fun is a mother-daughter book club without your mom? Cassidy would rather be playing sports than reading some ‘dusty old book’. Finally, Megan thinks her time should be spent designing clothes, not reading a book. As they read the book, meeting by meeting, their friendship grows. Will Megan stand up for Emma against Becca, her former friend and the school bully? Will Jess’ mom ever come home? You’ll just have to read it and find out.

Although I loved The Mother-Daughter Book Club, It definitely could’ve been improved. One thing I was confused about was the point of view. In this book, the author, for every new chapter, chooses one of the characters to narrate. I was often confused about who was talking and whose point of view it was. On a good note, I liked was Half Moon Farm. The author used vivid details and really made Jess’ home come to life. Another complaint I have is the abrupt endings of the chapters. I am stumped as to why the author ended the chapters so suddenly. On some occasions, one chapter ended and the next began a month later. Also, the book club, over a whole year, only read one book. I find this very unrealistic. Personally, I couldn’t make a book last that long. Despite its faults, I would recommend The Mother-Daughter Book Club to any girl I know. It has a great storyline and plenty of surprises. I encourage you to read this book.

REVIEWED BY NATALIE C, Class of 2017

|| ||
 * [[image:Blue_Flame.jpg width="104" height="160" align="center"]] || __Blue Flame__ by K.M. Grant

Blue Flame starts off with the death of King Richard the Lionheart. When that happens, young Parsifal is sent on a journey to give the Blue Flame to its rightful owner. As he continues his journey, he meets teenagers Raimon and Yolanda. Then, suddenly, Yolanda’s Uncle Girald takes over her town as the inquisitor. He starts changing the town of Castlenuef and interferes with Raimon and Yolanda’s friendship. They are now forced to choose between friendship or their religion. When the Blue Flame is shown in public for the first time, people start wondering who it really belongs to. Yolanda’s Uncle Girald thinks’ it’s his and won’t let anything get it the way. Even if it means hurting Raimon, It’s now friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor and even sister against brother.

REVIEWED BY RENNA W, Class of 2017 || ||
 * [[image:Uprising.jpg width="106" height="176" align="center"]] || __Uprising__ by Margaret Peterson Haddix

“Do you know what it is like to work in a shirtwaist factory? In the wintertime, I’m there before the sun comes up, and if the boss wants to make me work until midnight, he can do that. What could I do to stop him? I’m just a girl. Just one girl. I can work, day in and day out, hour after hour at the sewing machines, and then at the end of the week if he decides he doesn’t want to pay me for all my work, what can I do? He can make all sorts of excuses--‘Oh, I had to charge you for the use of the sewing machine--for the electricity to run it--for the needles that broke....’ He can make up any excuse he wants, but if he doesn’t want to pay me what I’m owed, he doesn’t have to. What can I do? I’m just one girl.” -Yetta

Yetta, a Russian immigrant along with hundreds of other immigrants, works long hours under awful conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Yetta decides to join the fight for fair treatment and better working conditions by becoming a member of the newly formed labor union. Yetta joins the union members on the picket line and ends up meeting Bella, another immigrant who had to put up with the terrible working conditions in order to send money to her starving family in Italy. Jane, daughter of a wealthy businessman, leaves her privileged world in search of real meaning in her life and also joins the workers on the picket line. The three girls become close friends.

The strike ends in time, though little is resolved and working conditions are not much better. Yetta and Bella are back at work and Jane is visiting the factory on a fateful day in March 1911 when a spark from a careless worker’s cigarette starts a catastrophic fire. The fire ends up being one of the worst workplace disasters in history. Many do not survive.

__Uprising__ is based on true events that took place during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory strike during 1909-10 and the major fire that happened there on March 25, 1911, that resulted in the deaths of 146 workers. Yetta, Bella and Jane are fictional characters but the story of their friendship and empowering desire to make a difference brings the events to life.

REVIEWED BY MRS. BARBARINO || ||
 * [[image:The_Big_Dip.jpg width="102" height="170" align="center"]] || __The Big Dip__ by Melanie Jackson

The Big Dip is approximately 110 pages long, short but REALLY good. To me the age limit for this story is probably 11 years old and up. This book I finished in a day and loved the whole 24 hours!

The Big Dip is about a 14 year old track running boy named Joey. One day his friend Skip and he went on a roller-coaster. The usually fun and daring ride turned dangerous and scary! During the ride Joey heard a peculiar noise, but didn’t think much of it. At the end of the ride the person in front of them was still face down on the safety bar. Joey tried to talk to him and called the park administrator. Once he came Joey noticed a hole in his neck, he had been shot! The last thing he heard from the man was, “get the Margaret rose, and take it to the police.” Joey ends up on a wild goose chase and scary stuff happened during it! The ending will make your mind explode!

The strength of the book was all the detail. But that’s not all, also the intriguing plot I never put the book down. This plot had an AMAZING plot twist! Even though there are a lot of strengths there is one weakness. The only one was it was kind of rushed. It ends fast with not much suspense to wait for. This book is one of my favorites! I feel like the author could write a sequel but different characters and settings. This book is definitely a recommended book in my opinion. If you get a chance to read it I HIGHLY recommend it! She leaves it in an amazing plot twist! She will make your mind drop and go down the Big Dip! You’ll get it once you read it! I hope you enjoy if this sounds like you kind of book. It was short but one of the best books ever!

REVIEWED BY SAVANNAH R, Class of 2017 || ||
 * [[image:bc_-_Catch_a_Tiger_by_the_Toe.jpg width="165" height="165" align="center"]] || __Catch a Tiger by the Toe__ by Ellen Levine

Catch a Tiger by the Toe by Ellen Levine was a well written book about the life of a teenager during the “McCarthy years,” and how she deals with all of her conflicts. The main character in the story is 13 year old Jamie Morse. Her and her family are members of the communist party. At this time in history, communists (or reds as often referred to in the book) are hated and have to keep secrets about their political beliefs. This book is about 220 pages and for ages 12 to adult, because there is a lot about politics and at times is hard to follow.

Jamie Morse is a 13 year old girl who lives with her mom, dad, little brother Stevie, Uncle George, Aunt Sheila, and Uncle Maury. They live in an apartment building in New York City. Jamie’s dad is a high school math teacher and her mom is a writer for a radio show. Jamie’s “best friend” is named Elaine. They love movies. To Jamie’s family’s surprise, her dad loses his job out of nowhere. The reason is because of his political beliefs. His firing is posted in the newspaper and everyone knows that Jamie is a communist. Then, Jamie’s mother is also fired. It is really hard for her. She even gets kicked out of her homeroom and off of the school newspaper because of her family secrets. Can she get back on the newspaper? Will the Morse family ever be the same?

I enjoyed the book Catch a Tiger by the Toe very much. It was a little slow to start but it picked up quick. The best part about this book was the way it was written. Ellen Levine made it so you were excited even when it was a slow part in the plot. One of the faults about this book was at times it was hard to follow because of the heavy political aspect in it. This book was very interesting and I learned a lot by reading it. If I were the author, instead of telling so many facts about the time period, I would explain more about the characters and how they felt at certain times. I also really liked the way that she focused on the main character. I didn’t like the ending because I felt that some more loose ends could have been tied up. Sometimes this book was very sad. At other times, it had a very happy tone. I wish that the book would have been a little bit longer so that some more details would be given. Overall this was a very interesting book about a tragic time in history. I really enjoyed this book, so I think that everyone should give it a try.

REVIEWED BY CLAY B, Class of 2017 || ||
 * = [[image:BC_-_Battle_of_the_Labyrinth.jpg width="97" height="141"]] || __The Battle of the Labyrinth__ by Rick Riordan

Have you ever struggled with a maze a teacher gave you in school until a friend came to help you? That’s how Percy felt only on a much, much, //much// bigger scale! __Percy Jackson, Battle of the Labyrinth__, written by Rick Riordan, is a very fun book to read! It has just the right amount of suspense, comedy (at least, I thought some parts were funny…) and mythology! This 368 page novel is perfect for a wide range of ages, asuming they //love// mythology. (like me!) It’s more of a boys’ book, but I am a girl and I loved it! I know lots of other girls who have read it and liked it, so don’t let that stop you from reading it! But before you read it, you should know, it’s the third book in the series.

As you would know from reading the other books (also great ones) Percy, son of Posiedon has a hard time outside of Camp Half-Blood thanks to monsters who smell his godly parentage and come searching to destroy him. He mostly has trouble in school, but before he even starts the school year, he blows it up. Yes, an //empousa// cheerleader did it for him. Not much of a favor. He went back to Camp Half-Blood with Annabeth, daughter of Athena. Later, during a task assigned by their “substatute” for Dyonisus, Percy and Annabeth discovered a Labyrinth entrance in Zeus’s Fist. Chiron feared Luke may use it to invade camp with Kronos’s army, filled with monsters of all sorts: everything from //empousa// to sirens. Ananbeth finally got to lead a quest in all her seven years of camp. Unfortunatley, this is the //only one// she did not want. She chose Percy, Grover the satyr, and Tyson the young cyclopes to go along with her. Did she beat Luke to Deadalus? I’m not going to tell you! Just read the book! You’ll like it, I promise.

I, personally, think these books keep getting better and better! There was one thing I didn’t care for, though- I’m sure it’ll have a huge imapcat on the story. Percy and Annabeth start to show they love each other. Although, it was funny how they don’t know how to handle it! I got a kick out of that! I think Rick Riordan described the events more in this story in more detail; It was much easier to picture in my mind what was going on. I also really liked the wording of the book. The way he worded it really made it feel like you were there. As long as you were “sucked into it” as my family says. But, I think you really should read __Percy Jackson Battle of the Labyrinth.__ My judgement on books you can rely on!

REVIEWED BY GINA D, Class of 2017 ||
 * [[image:Son_of_Neptune.jpg width="120" height="174" align="center"]] || __The Son of Neptune__ by Rick Riordan

If you liked the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you will love The Son of Neptune! The son of Neptune is the 2nd book in the Heroes of Olympus series. The Heroes of Olympus series is a continuation of the 1st series with a few new surprise characters. The Son of Neptune is about 500 pages. And its intended audience is about 10 and up.

Percy finds himself alone, in the middle of nowhere, brainwashed, being attacked by gorgons. No matter how many times he kills them, they just keep coming back. Until he stumbles upon a place called Camp Jupiter. Camp Jupiter is a Roman version of Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for demigods safe from monsters. The camp is special because it is protected by a special magic boundary. Nobody that isn’t a half-blood can get in either. There, he meets some friends Hazel and Frank who have some special powers, but they can also be a curse. But Hazel, Frank and Percy’s powers are put to the test. Hazel, Frank, and Percy are sent on a quest by Ares to stop Gaea from raising her son Alcyoneus. They must also free Thanatos, close the doors of death, and save Camp Jupiter.

One thing I liked about the book was how it continues including characters from the 1st series. Annabeth, Leo, Nico, and Percy’s other friends are in this series. There are also new characters such as Hazel that makes the books interesting. There is something different about them though, they are from the roman gods instead of Greek gods. Another thing I like about the books is how they are based off of Greek mythology. But it has been modernized. For example, Olympus is now on top of the empire state building. And the entrance to the underworld is at the Hollywood sign. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the ending. I thought it could use more detail. It left me somewhat confused. But after reading it again a few more times, it became more clear. I definitely recommend reading this book. It is one of the best books I ever read. I would give it a ten star rating. If you liked the Percy Jackson series, you will love this book.

REVIEWED BY ABBY B, Class of 2017 || ||
 * [[image:Okay_for_Now.jpg width="110" height="180" align="center"]] || __Okay for Now__ by Gary D. Schmidt

I didn’t think I would have any interest in reading an entire book about Doug Swieteck, a minor character from Gary D. Schmidt’s __The Wednesday Wars__. Was I ever wrong! I have to say, this is the best book I’ve read in awhile. I laughed. I cried. I wanted to build a time machine, travel back to Marysville, circa 1968, and work with Mr. Powell at the Marysville Free Public Library. Oh, and hang out at Spicer’s Deli and drink a really cold coke.

You don’t have to read __The Wednesday Wars__ first to appreciate __Okay for Now__. It stands on its own. However, if you read both, you may be reminded that there is often more to a person than what you first see on the surface.

After his father is fired, Doug Swieteck moves with his family to “stupid” Marysville, New York. Life at the Swieteck home is less than desirable. Doug’s father is a jerk. His mother he loves dearly, but she is unable to stand up for herself, let alone her boys. His oldest brother is serving in Vietnam, and his other brother is a bit of a hoodlum. No wonder everyone thinks Doug must be a “skinny thug” too.

Lil Spicer is his first new friend in Marysville. She arranges for Doug to work for her father who owns a deli, making deliveries to some of the folks in town. As he begins to interact with the people of Marysville (on his delivery route, at school, and of course, at the library!) he experiences kindness and friendship that he hadn’t expected or even hoped for.

There’s so much more that I could say about this book, but why not stop in the library and check it out for yourself! Also, if you want to know more about birds than you ever thought you’d care to know...this is the book for you.

REVIEWED BY MRS. BARBARINO ||
 * [[image:The_Wednesday_Wars.gif width="124" height="189" align="center"]] || __The Wednesday Wars__ by Gary D. Schmidt

“Of all the kids in the seventh grade at Camillo Junor High, there was one kid that Mrs. Baker hated with heat whiter than the sun. Me. And let me tell you, it wasn’t for anything I’d done.” - Holling Hoodhood

Holling Hoodhood is sure that Mrs. Baker hates him. Why wouldn’t she? Instead of having Wednesday afternoon’s off, she’s stuck with him while his classmates leave for religion class. Of course she has it out for him! Why else would she make him read Shakespeare outside of class? And that’s not all he has to deal with. There’s the cream puff incident, crazed rats on the loose, yellow tights with feathers on the...well I won’t tell you where they were...a baseball hero who is less than a hero, and that’s just for starters. In spite of himself, Holing begins to learn who he is and who he wants to be.

__The Wednesday Wars__ may take you a few chapters to get into it, but stick it out. As Holling Hoodhood would say: “Let me tell you, it was just swell.”

REVIEWED BY MRS. BARBARINO ||
 * [[image:bc_-_Austere_Academy.jpg width="113" height="160" align="center"]] || __The Austere Academy__ by Lemony Snicket

Book #5 in The Series of Unfortunate events is filled with suspense,drama, and painstaking activities. The title is called The Austere Academy. It is written by the esteemed author Lemony Snicket. There are 220 pages. It is intended for kids ages 10-14 years old. In this book 3 kids are sent to boarding school. There they meet 2 great friends who help them through tough times. Their enemy, The evil Count Olaf is no where to be seen. Or so they think….

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are sent to a boarding school where they encounter an immense amount of problems. They are given painstaking tasks such as getting rid of crabs and fungus and making staples by hand. They are gives strict punishments such as having to drink their beverages from puddles rather than glasses and eating their food without utensils. At least their great friends are their by their side during tough times. But will they go to far by trying to save them from their enemy in disguise?

I really liked this book. One thing I liked was the way Lemony Snicket wrote it. His writing was like a puzzle and you had to put all the pieces together. I also liked the suspense. This book is a real page turner. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. My only complaint is that Lemony Snicket never wrote about how Count Olaf gained entrance into the school. He had to have bypassed the advanced computer system, but Mr.Snicket never wrote about how he did it. Besides that I thought it was a great book. I would definetly recommend it. The only thing is is that most people like reading books with happy endings. This is not one of those books. I’m not sure that most people would care if it was a great book like this one though!

REVIEWED BY RILEY M, Class of 2017 || ||
 * [[image:Adam_Canfield_of_the_Slash.jpeg align="center"]] || __Adam Canfield of the Slash__ by Michael Winerip

“Our job as reporters is to tell the truth as we see it. It has to be backed by facts, but that’s what good newspapers do.” - Adam Canfield of the Slash

Adam Canfield went from finding out the facts to figuring out how the facts would end up in the Slash, the Harris Elementary/Middle School newspaper. He moves from star reporter to co-editor because Jennifer, a girl “with a pretty good smile”, asks him to help her out even though he really thinks digging up the details and writing a story is much better than being an editor.

“Adam Canfield of the Slash” by Michael Winerip tells the story of how what you think at first can become something totally different. Adam learns that adding another “program” to his “over-programmed” life actually puts Adam smack in the middle of local mysteries that he helps investigate, solve and report about and makes his decision totally worth it in the end.

REVIEWED BY MRS. BARBARINO ||