Book Review: Hawk: Occupation Skateboarder
Author: Tony Hawk with Sean Mortimer
Reviewed By: Carson Phillips

Tony Hawk, perhaps one of the most famous skateboarders of all time, has written an autobiography. It begins by describing himself as a constantly hyper demon child, tormenting his parents with his spoiled attitude and obsession for skateboarding. Through this story of Hawk’s life, it describes the struggles he encountered, from fitting in during high school to landing the first 900. It is a story of passion, hate, and a new perspective on life. I recommend this book for all ages, whether they enjoy skateboarding or not for it displays true perseverance and the rewards associated with it. I would also recommend this novel to those struggling for it Tony Hawk describes himself as an outcast and how he overcame it. Tony Hawk’s biography is truly inspirational.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

The book Just Listen by Sarah Dessen was an extremely enjoyable book. With realistic characters and events, readers will find that they are able to relate to the book in many ways. This connection to the daily life of a high school student makes the reader care even more about what happens. Readers will also find themselves captured by the book’s powerful use of language, and will be able to create a crystal clear mental image of the events. If you would enjoy an emotionally powerful realistic fiction book that you can relate to, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen is the book for you.

Review by Christina Kaminsky

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares is a classic novel about four best friends, and their adventure during the summer. This summer isn’t like any of there other summers before because Lena is going to Greece, Bridget is going to soccer camp, Carmen is visiting her Dad, and Tibby is staying at home. But before they all leave, they find a magical pair of pants that keep them connected throughout the summer. This summer is filled with adventure, love, drama, and more. In The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, you’ll realize what true friendship is all about. This book is great for readers in middle school and high school.

Book Review: Last Shot
Author: John Fienstein
Reviewed By: Carson Phillips

Last Shot, though it is a fiction sports novel, does not resemble any other cheap sports novel I was forced to read. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and you will turn each page as if it were the last. It is about a boy named Steve Thomas, a lucky kid who won a trip to the final four as a reporter.  But as Steve uncovers more than he wants to know when he realizes that one of the teams is being blackmailed. Steve soon realizes that he must save the team from this threat. After snooping around in this business, Steve will be lucky to come out alive, not to mention he still has to fix the final four.

Outbreak- By: Robin Cook 
Book Reviews Bethany Ferrick
 

  Outbreak is a thrilling story. It's a novel about a disease becoming an epidemic in the United States. Cook takes the reader into a world where you don’t know who you can trust. You don’t know why this is happening. You don’t know when it will stop. Cook is a medical doctor, and uses his knowledge of medicine, to explain to the reader what the disease really is. Cook uses good writing that flows easily and is not too difficult. It is a wonderful book if you are looking for a fun read, or want some background information on the power of viruses. This is a must read. 
 

My Sister’s Keeper- By: Jodi Picoult 

My Sister’s Keeper, revolves around a morality conflict. Anna is the first designer baby. He sister, Kate, was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 6, and trying to find a donor, her parents created Anna, using technology to create a perfect match. But what would happen if Anna would ever stop wanting to be a donor to her sick sister? You will have to read to find out. I would definitely recommend this book. 
 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- By: J.K. Rowling 
  the most exciting book in the Harry Potter series! Granted, many feel that Harry Potter is a child’s book, but it is much more than that. It is a story that many can relate to. You might be a “Hermione”, someone who is smart, organized, and always responsible. You might be a “Ron”, funny, playful, friendly. Or you might be a “Harry”, a leader and hope for all. In the seventh installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry faces his enemy, Lord Voldemort, for the last time in what would become a legendary duel. The events leading up to the duel are as exciting as ever, with twists and turns that are unpredictable. If you are looking for an exciting, fun, easy read, choose Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 
 

Book Review: Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
Author: Ben Carson with Cecil Murphy
Reviewed By: Carson Phillips

           
            Ben Carson’s book is an autobiography of a neurosurgeon’s life. Coming from the ghettos, it was unlikely that Carson was to become one of the world’s greatest brain surgeons. Despite this unlikelihood, he succeeded in going to Johns Hopkins where he still is today, but if you want to find out how I would recommend that you read Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, a truly inspirational story of a man’s difficult life who prevailed in becoming one of the world’s most successful men. This book has little not to like besides its length. Other than that, it will reveal to you how a man who nearly killed someone for changing the radio station can turn out to be a same man who can remove half of a human brain and leave them alive.
 

Twilight- By: Stephanie Meyer 

  Twilight is an amazing story. While, I doubt that boys would enjoy the romance in it, the story is still exciting. It is about a girl and a vampire who fall in love. The problem occurs when the Bella realizes just how dangerous it is to be with a vampire, specifically a vampire that had vampire enemies. While this20may sound corny, I assure you it is not. Meyer really grabs the reader in her writing. The reader will forget that there are no such things as vampires, and will not be able to put the book down. 

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Brisingr is the continuation of Eragon and Eldest. Eragon and his cousin Roran are on a mission deep in the empire surrounded by the enemy. They want vengeance for Roran's father's (and Eragon's uncle) murder. But Eragon does not know what to do. He has made ties with both humans, dwarves, and elves, and does not know who to follow. He is bound by many oaths, that he cannot break. He is being pulled on all sides, and its up to him to hold everyone together. In the exciting and long-awaited sequel in the inheritance cycle, Brisingr more than measures up to Eldest, the second book in the series. It has far more action, and many new and clever ideas that give the story a strong individuality from other fantasy novels. But, some of the ideas were noticably less creative than some. These ideas made not only the book itself, but the whole series seem less creative. While this book was very good, and better than the previous book, the series has yet to measure up to Eragon, the first and original book in the series.

Review by Joey Wrobleski

Ever
By Gail Carson Levine

Olus has a problem - he wants to live a normal life and grow up to be a normal person. The problem is he’s a god. In fact he’s the Akkan god of the wind. Olus decides as a young man to leave for earth and live among the humans. He works as a farmer raising goats on land, while farming he enjoys watching the lives of the family whose land he is living on. He is especially curious about Kezi, the daughter of the family and a skillful weaver. One day Kezi’s mother falls ill so Kezi’s father makes a deal with Admat, their god, for his wife’s life. The price however is Kezi’s life as sacrifice. Kezi is willing to make the sacrifice for her mother, but Olus is appalled he realizes he feels an attraction towards Kezi and saves her from her fatal fate. Kezi is distraught that her mother will die and Olus decides to that he’ll help Kezi become immortal. The two are tested beyond their wildest dreams by testing their endurance, strength, knowledge, and ultimately their love in pursuit of immortality. If you enjoy a beautifully crafted, book of love filled with action the Ever by Gail Carson Levine is the book for you.Review by Alexandra Mobeka

Book Review: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Reviewed BY: Carson Phillips

            I consider the Giver one of the most influential novels I have read, for its themes of hope, love, and pain are so complex; however, at the same time it is one of the easiest books to understand because of its simplicity in language. The Giver follows the life of Jonas, a twelve-year-old boy, who lives in a future utopian society. Jonas is just as content with his life as anyone else in his community that is until he is chosen to hold the town’s memories. The memories are intended to make him wise and provided his wisdom for his community. This knowledge becomes a burden and forces him to live a lonely life until he decides to run away… The Giver is the best fiction novel I have ever read and I recommend it to children of all ages.

The novel The Hot zone, by renowned author Richard Preston is a breathtaking thriller that is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.  Telling the story of the horrifying Ebola virus and its emergence onto the global scene, the novel excellently describes the work done by United States researchers in an attempt to contain and possibly identify the natural host of the virus in nature.  As the novel continues to trace Ebola’s “blaze” through the African continent, it suddenly returns to the United States Army Medical Research Institution, where shockingly, a case of Ebola at a monkey breeding house has been reported.  Scrambling to eliminate the virus, a biological swat team is assembled which within a matter of days, completely eradicates all traces of the disease.  Overall, continuously intriguing your mind with the wild, yet true fantasies of level 4 biological organisms, the novel is an excellent read that I would recommend to all middle and high school students.

The adventure novel Congo by Michael Crichton is an imagination grasping, fast paced adventure through the dense rain forests of the Congo River delta. After an expedition team sent by the company Earth Resource Technology Services Inc to search for diamonds in the dense forests of the Congo discovers the lost city of Zing, a mysterious video is recorded of a group of strange ape-like animals attacking the expeditions’ base camp.  After the explorers are confirmed missing, another expedition led by a women named Karen Ross is sent out in search of the truth behind the previous expedition’s disappearance.  Accompanied by a gorilla named Amy, who is trained to speak sign language, and a famous African mercenary named Munro, the expedition races against time to discover the reality behind the lost city and its ghastly inhabitants.  Throughout the novel, continued feelings of suspense along with seemingly endless action demand constant and unwavering attention to the event at hand.  The relationship between the gorilla named Amy and her human companions also helps to emphasize the endearing theme of animal and human connections in the novel, further deepening the events and actions that occur.  The novels simplicity and straightforward setup also allows for an easier more relaxed reading experience.   Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to all readers from 6-10th grade; I hope you enjoy the book!

Book Review: The Clique
Author: Lisi Harrison

The Clique, the first book in a drama filled series, is about four best friends that call themselves the Pretty Committee. Their “perfect” lives are interrupted by Claire, the new girl from Florida. She moves in and disrupts everything they have set up. This series is about all the gossip, fights, and laughs that the Pretty Committee (and Claire?) share.

I loved this entire series. When I finished one book, I couldn’t wait to pick up the next. I would recommend these books for high level reading 6 th graders -9 th graders.

Review by Allie James

The book New Moon by Stephanie Meyer is an amazing book for everybody. The nonstop action and suspense will keep readers hooked until the very end, and the great description will provide a great mental picture of the events. Don’t let the premise of vampires turn you away, however. While the book does include some fantasy elements, it is written in such a way that it doesn’t affect the rest of the story. Overall, New Moon is a great book that I would recommend to everyone!

By Christina Kaminsky