The Series of Unfortunate Events

In sixth grade, I was completely obsessed with one series, and one series only. These book were The Series of Unfortunate Events. I scribbled things in notebooks about the Baudelaire's adventures; I read each book with excitement. I was absolutely devoted to Lemony Snicket and his books. I even threw a party with my best friend when the last of the series came out. Recently, I looked at my bookshelf and said to myself, Oh, goodness, I haven't thought of or read those books in a while! And so, I couldn't resist pulling the first one off the shelf and leafing through its pages. Then, Lemony Snicket being Lemony Snicket, I was hooked. Sure, the books are written for kids more around the 4th grade level, but I couldn't help myself. They were quick and fun reads, and the villain in the story was one of those villains everyone loves to hate. I am currently reading the 9th one, entitled The Carnivorous Carnival. 

The whole series is based around three children named Sunny, Klaus, and Violet Baudelaire.When misfortune befalls the three siblings, they are sent to their relative's house-- a frightening, atrocious, and intimidating relative named Count Olaf. As luck would have it, Count Olaf is pure evil. He does everything in his power to steal the Baudelaire fortune, which was left to the children after something terrible happens to their parents. Each book has a different plot in which Count Olaf attempts to steal the fortune, and the poor Baudelaire's continue to have bad luck heaped upon them. Even though this series is written for younger readers, I still love it because it is different from the typical story, in which everything ends happily ever after. I would rate the entire series a 8.5 in a 10-point scale. Snicket's ability to tie things up at the end and connect everything is admirable, and makes for an interesting read.

So if one day you are looking for a quick and easy book to read, pick up The Bad Beginning, which is the first in the series. And remember to ignore Lemony Snicket's advice to put the book right back down.

Nineteen Minutes

I just finished an incredible book by Jodi Picoult. It is called Nineteen Minutes.

When you think about it, you can do so many things in 19 minutes. In 19 minutes, Peter Houghton caused a catastrophe that would be remembered for a long time. 17-year-old Peter Houghton from Sterling, New Hampshire had been bullied and harassed since the first day of kindergarten. His best friend, Josie Cormier, abandoned him when she was accepted into the 'popular' group. One final incident finally causes him to go over the edge and commit a horrific act of violence.

Now everyone is getting involved and everything is getting confused. Judge Alex Cormier (Josie's mother) is the judge on the case. Josie can't remember anything about what happened to her in the school, or can she? Josie goes looking for a father she never knew. Many relationships change over the course of the story. Finally, everyone learns the shocking truth.

This novel is thrilling and completely pulls you in. I would rate it a 9.8 out of 10. I really enjoyed this book. It is very descriptive and makes you want to keep reading (in fact, I had trouble stopping). It is full of mystery, twist endings, suspense, love, tears, and murderer.

Jodi Picoult is a wonderful writer. Some of her other works include: My Sister's Keeper, The Pact, Change of Heart, The Tenth Circle, and many others.

Ironside

Ironside is about a girl named Kaye. She declares her love to Roiben. Roiben decided to take her up on her offer, but first she had to go on a seemingly impossible quest. Until she can finsh the quest she can not see or speak to Roiben. Now she was miserable and convinced that she didnt belong any were she had decided to tell her mother the truth that she was left in the place of the human daughter that was stolen along time ago. Her mother sends Kaye back to the faerie world to find the human Kaye and return her to Ironside. But once she was back in the faerie courts she finds herself a pawn in the games of Silarial the queen of Seelie Court. It is about fairies. I thought the book was pretty cool. I did not get a little of it, but I got some of it. I would still rate it a 10 though, becuase it was a good book.

The Looking Glass Wars

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in Wonderland? Princess Alyss Heart is a 7 year old girl living in Wonderland. Her mother, Queen Genevieve, rules the queendom. This is one big happy family except for her Aunt Redd. Her Aunt Redd has been cruel and spiteful ever since the day her mother picked her sister Genevieve over Redd to be next in line to rule. Now Redd has come back from her exile to lead her own rebellion. To keep Alyss out of Redd's hands, Alyss Heart is put into the hands of Hatter Madigan, her mother's guard and head of the Millinery. Unfortunately, they are separated as they travel out of Wonderland through the Pool of Tears and Alyss ends up in Victorian London. There she meets Lewis Carrol, who she learns to trust. That trust is soon broken when he writes down her story...with a lot of changes. She is furious that he could do such a thing to her, making her life seem like a fantasy. In this world, no one believes her.
Now in the meantime, others are having troubles too. Redd has taken over Wonderland and the small resistance, named the Alyssians, are trying their best to just stay alive. Hatter Madigan is having quite a hard time finding Alyss. He searches all over the world for her, trying to bring her back to her homeland to stop the invasion. I would tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the book! You'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!
I would have to rate this book a 9.9 on a scale from 1 to 10. It was fabulous! It is stuffed with action and mystery. You begin to feel as if you are walking, or as it often turns out to be, running beside the characters on this miraculous journey. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a book with a bit of sadness, a lot of action and just a hint of mystery!
Also, there is a sequel called Seeing Redd. Apparently, a third book is scheduled to come out too! So you will have plenty of reading material if this hooks you! It sure caught me!

Drums, Girls & Dangerous pie

SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK Drums,Girls& Dangerous Pie
A incredible book about a middle school kid dealing with life while his little brother battles leukemia.Its funny in a way that reminds us that its OK to laugh in a bad situation.Made me realize how many kids in America have cancer.

It starts with you meeting Steven, a 13-year-old drummer in the All-City High School Jazz Band annoyed with his 5-year-old brother Jeffery.Well one day when Steven is making Jeffery breakfast, Jeffery falls of the stool and has a nose bleed that won't stop.So his mom takes Jeffery to the hospital.They find out Jeffery has leukemia.Steven's mom takes Jeffery to a hospital nearby in Philadelphia twice a month.Steven goes through life trying to keep his brother's cancer problem a secret,not really focused on any thing but his drums.Later when his teachers confront him about him not turning in his homework does he start doing his homework again.When his mom gets sick Steven and his father have to take Jeffery to Philadelphia.Steven meets a girl about his age with leukemia when he's in Philadelphia.He hangs out with her.She dies sometime between the first time Steven goes to the hospital with Jeffery and the next time.When Steven finds out her sister wasn't with her when she died he decided to stick with Jeffery while he's in the hospital.Every one at school finds out Jeffery has cancer.When the high school requires all students to complete community service in order to graduate.Two girls figure out a way to help Steven's family money problems and help the band complete their community service hours by giving all the profits from the spring concert to Steven's family for Jeffery's Medical bills.When Jeffery gets sick in the middle of the concert, Steven leaves his big concert and solo behind to be with Jeffery.In the end at his 8th grade graduation Jeffery no cancer.

Airborn and Skybreaker Debate

SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS AIRBORN AND/ OR SKYBREAKER!!(Even if you have read Airborn, do not read this-it will ruin Skybreaker for you and we certainly don't want that)

My oponent will try to tell you that Matt should be hated for using his free will. Read this and see if it changes your mind.

This is my opinion of some 'problems' or 'issues' in Skybreaker. First of all, I believe that Matt had every right to kiss Nadia back. He can have free will and get away from Kate. For all he knows, she might be marrying, or at least really likes Hal Slater. Now, no matter what side you are on, I am pretty sure that you will agree with me that Slater is an awful man. He is heartless and greedy according to me and many of my friends and opponents. Anyway, I think that Matt was perfectly correct in kissing Nadia back. Nadia is kind and she is a very good character. Kate should get her guy priorities straight. She is being quite rude to Matt by gushing over Slater and ignoring Matt. I mean, I know that she wants to be nice to Slater so that he will take them to the Hyperion but does she have to be that nice? Also, does she not see his true reasons and cruel actions?

I am almost finished and I'm judging things from how they seem right now.

I don't care if Kate doesn't like Slater, she still has no right to kill Matt like that by acting that way! Okay, yes he kissed Nadia but who said he couldn't!? Excuse me, but at that time Kate was still being cruel to him! He can like Nadia if he wants to. I know that he doesn't more than a friend but maybe that was good for Kate to see them because then she got a taste of what she had been feeding Matt! Jealously, very good for Kate. She, what?, has no idea that she's hurting Matt by hanging on Slater's every word?! Yes, it's nice that they are all happy with each other again but seriously!

Matt had EVERY RIGHT to kiss Nadia!!!!! Kate was ignoring him so why not spend more time with the one kind girl on the ship! Kate could have just talked to Matt and told him that she didn't like Slater, which she does, so that would be lying.

What? You think that Matt isn't going to act like a boy? Of course he's drooling over Nadia's dancing!

I am very glad that Kate saw them kissing! Now she gets why Matt has been unhappy. One word, jealousy. Can't she tell that he hates Slater!?! Why would she go ahead and hurt Matt by being all friendly to Slater. Yes, I know that she says that she doesn't like him but she could have told that to Matt earlier! That would have saved a lot.

Kate was supposed to be his friend and I thought that friends told each other things to keep one another from hurting. Kate isn't that good at being a friend (or more) is she? I don't think so.

The Sight

This is a great book about mystical lore and legend coming to life. Set in the wilderness of Transylvania it starts with a wolf pack seeking shelter for the she-wolf about to give birth. Even if shelter is found, they are still in danger, and not just the pups. A lone wolf, Morgra, stalks the land. She posses the Sight, a mysterious and frightening power. With the use of this she finds that one of the newborn pups wields a power stronger than her own and she will stop at nothing to take it. A verse that tells about the dead rising and a battle that will involve the Varg's (predator's) worst enemy, Man, shall be fulfilled, with great risk and casualty.

I thought that this book was absolutely wonderful! It ensnares the reader and you become completely wrapped up in the magic of it all. If I'm making it sound like a princess fairy tale, let me tell you, it is not! There is magic aplenty but if you are emotional with books, you will be crying for sure. This story shows the strong bond in a family and how willing you can be to make a sacrifice if it saves someone you love. I would rate it a 9 on a scale from 1 to 10. It is definitely a must read!

The Host

The Host is one of most riveting books I have ever read. It is filled with mind boggling action and heart pounding expense. If you are looking for a book to keep you up reading all night then this is the one for you! I would rate it a 10 on a scale from 1-10(ten being the best). I would change absolutely nothing about this book, it was amazing!

You join a soul named Wanderer(Wanda) on the journey of her life. She has lived on many different planets and now Earth is her new home. The way souls survive is by being inserted into a host. Everyone time a host's life ends the soul is removed and placed in another host. These souls have taken over planet Earth and the remaining humans are not happy about. Very little "real" humans exist and the only way they survive is by hiding. Specific souls called Seekers are employed to catch these humans, so there bodies can be used to house fellow souls. In this case Wanda's human host is named Melanie. When Wanda is inserted into Melanie's body she is expected to gain all of Melanie's memories(including those about other humans whereabouts) and quite Melanie forever. The only problem with this is Melanie is a VERY strong willed young woman. Despite all of Wanda's attempts she refuses to be silent. Then Wanda comes upon a memory of a boy named Jamie and a man named Jared. Jamie was Melanie's little brother and Jared was her soul mate. Through the constant memories Melanie provides Wanda finds herself in love. Melanie's worries about these humans drip into Wanda's soul and make her question the life she has. She decides(with help from Melanie) to leave her home and search for Melanie's loved ones. Could they possibly be her loved ones now too? Would the humans kill her if she found them? These questions plus the constant reminder that she is now a traitor to fellow souls plagues the mind of Wanda. Despite this she sets out on the journey that will change her life forever.

The Ravenmaster's Secret

This was a wonderful book written by Elvira Woodruff! It is one of those fabulous stories where you think you have read ten minutes and really you have read for two hours. I would give this book a 7.5 on my list from 1-10(10 being the highest). It is a story filled with friendship and adventure that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

You join eleven-year-old Forrest Harper on an adventure that most only dream about. He believes his future holds only the dull, but wonderful, job of Ravenmaster. Little does he know what adventure is in store. The time is London 1735. The English are having great trouble with Scottish Rebels and Forrest soon finds he will help his father(the current Ravenmaster) guard one of these terrifying rebels. That is part of his father's job and in being his son Forrest is expected to help. He gladly looks forward to helping because he hopes it will put an end to the constant bullying he receives because of his size. If little Forrest Harper can guard an enormous, strong Scottish Rebel then surely the boys will stop their teasing, but to Forrest's dismay his prisoner is not the person he is hoping for. Instead he is stuck with the daughter of a Scottish Rebel, Maddy. Even though the last thing he expects to find in Maddy is friendship, that is exactly what he gets. He and Maddy become friends, but will that soon come to an end when she is sentenced to death? Can Forrest allow his good, innocent friend to be wrongly murdered? Or will he commit treason to save her? Read this fantastic book and you will soon find out!

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Wolf Brother

This book is the beginning of a wonderful series. It is about Torak and Wolf as they try to defeat the evil in the Forest. Torak and his father, Fa, live alone in the Forest, away from the clans and other men. Soon Torak's life is tipped out of order when an evil demon from the Otherworld trapped in the body of a bear attacks and kills Fa. Fa tells Torak that he must go and find the Mountain of the World Spirit. Torak's guide is supposed to find him and lead him to the Mountain. Torak sets off and soon finds a wolf cub. The cub, Wolf, becomes his guide and joins Torak, leading him on his difficult journey. Along the way they encounter danger, long time enemies and friends, and help in unexpected places. Torak finds out a lot about his past that he didn't know. He also discovers some unexpected things about his future.

I thought that this book was very thrilling and suspenseful in some parts. It hooks you and drags you along for the ride. It shows a culture that is resourceful and lost from our society. I would rate this book a solid 9. It was definitely worth reading!! Put it on your list of "To Reads"!