The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima is an amazing book, yet it is not as popular as some other books, even though it is on the same level as them. It is about a boy named Jack who other than having to take a special medicine in the morning is an ordinary teenager. Then one day he forgets his medicine. He then feels much stronger and more powerful. This is his first glimpse into the world of the Weir. He soon learns that he is a warrior, one of the magical people living among the anaweir (non magical people). He soon learns that there are other magical races. They are the wizards, enchanters, seers, sorcerers and other warriors. He then learns that he is one of the last warriors on earth. He realizes this at a time when both "houses" are looking for a player in "The Game." The houses are the Red Rose and the White Rose. The houses as you may be wondering are two groups of wizards who are constantly fighting. Since the wizards believe that all other Weir are inferior, they throw warriors into "The Game." In this game, warriors from the two houses fight to the death for their house to have control of all the Weir. Now Jack fears he may be one of the next warriors to fight. What will he do? This book is a riveting story about sacrifice, and the difference between life and death.

To go further into the world of the Weir, visit the author's website.

Ayo G.

Edward S. Rhodes

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay is the final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It is, in my opinion, the best book out of the three. Katniss is back "home" from the capitol. However, home is not District 12, where she has lived all along. 12 was bombed in hopes to punish Katniss for the stunt she pulled at the Quarter Quell. She is now living in District 13. Her new home is anything but the ordinary. For starters, they live underground. She would probably be happier if she had Peeta, but he is being held hostage in the Capitol. When a group is formed to go and rescue Peeta, Katniss is not allowed to go. When he comes back, he is very confused. He does not associate love with Katniss, but he associates fear. After a very long time, Katniss and Peeta start to get along with each other. Everyone is very upset by all this that they form a group and go to the Capitol themselves. Many lives are lost along the way, including some very important and loved people. Even though their relationship will never be the same as it use to be, they are back together and very happy.

There is a very surprising twist waiting for you at the end. This book is one of my all time favorites. Before you read this book, make sure you read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Eve F.

E. S. Rhodes

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire, in my opinion is a fantastic book. It is the sequel to the Hunger Games, but make sure you read the first one first. Catching Fire starts off with Katniss and Peeta waiting for their victory tour to begin. Then however, Katniss is told that after her performance in the games, she must prove that she and Peeta are madly in love. If this fails, the entire nation could be thrown into rebellion. The victory tour is a whirlwind of emotions for the two of them and before they know it, the Quarter Quell, is upon them. However, soon there is a twist that could change their lives for the better or for the worse. This is one of the best books I have ever read. It provides action, suspense, romance and a huge twist at the end. If I had to rank this book out of every book I have ever read, this one would be in the top five. Suzanne Collins has done a fantastic job on this book and an even better job on the series as a whole. If you liked the Hunger Games you will love this book and the next one in the series, Mockingjay.

Out of the websites concerning the Hunger Games Trilogy, I feel this one is the best.

Nat H.

E.S. Rhodes

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is about an annual game that takes place in the future. There are 12 districts around the world. The Capital rules the world. This is because the world was destroyed in a large war. A small amount of land and people were left, and they rebuilt the world. Unfortunately, most districts are in poverty. Few districts were rich. They became rich by winning The Hunger Games. If you win, you obtain a large sum of money for you and your district. When the Hunger Games begin, two kids, a male and female, are randomly chosen to participate in the Hunger Games. The problem is that this game is a fight to the death. 24 children try to kill each other. The last person standing wins the Games. The story revolves around Katniss Everdeen, who takes her sister, Prim’s, place in the Hunger Games. She has one goal: Stay alive.

I personally enjoyed The Hunger Games. It was well written and very intense at times. My favorite part of the book is hard to decide. I loved everything in it. I think I liked the part with the trackerjackers the best, though. Trackerjackers are deadly bees invented by the Capital for war. Their stings cause delusions, and soon, death. Katniss is hiding in a tree when she knocks a nest of trackerjackers to the ground. They attack her, and other tributes trying to kill her. Katniss obtains only a couple stings, and she has the power to stay alive. Sadly, the others don’t fare as well as Katniss. A girl named Glitter is stung multiple times, and she is killed. I dislike the scene where Katniss found Peeta, though. The scene just dragged on, and was boring. I think Foxface was my favorite character. There wasn’t much back story about her, but you only needed a little information to know her. She was sly, and stealthy.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I would even recommend it to people who hate reading, because even they would be captured by its plot. With this book, it doesn’t matter what your age is. You will love this book no matter what. You can read it at any age, because it is a great book. -- D.R., Garden City

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

This is the first book in Rick Riordan’s new and exciting series. One of the characters, Piper, is at a wilderness school in the middle of nowhere because her rich, famous father is mad at her. She meets a boy named Jason, who has no memory because Hera took it so he won’t remember his terrible, demigod past. Then, the Titans capture Hera and her power weakens everyday so she can’t escape. They take her to an old, warn down mansion where Jason used to live. Since Jason doesn’t have his memory, he can’t remember where the mansion is. Also, on top of all this trouble, another demigod named Leo shows up at the beginning the expedition to tell them both that Piper’s mean dad was also taken by the Titans. Now, they all have to save two people. Will the new demigods, Piper, Jason, and a helpful son of Hespeust be able to save Hera before the winter solstice? Read the book to see if they will save Hera.

I really loved this book! This book was exhilarating and definitely a page-turner! Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop. Rick Riordan again has used his amazing talents to create an awesome book that is great for readers and that a lot of readers will love, too!

Aliana C.

Woodridge School

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book is the tale of a boy orphaned at infancy by the murderer called Jack. He is adopted (and hidden from Jack) by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard. The ghosts and the boy's guardian, Silas (a possible vampire), dub him Nobody "Bod" Owens. Bod grows up in the graveyard, where life proves to be both exciting and dangerous. The Graveyard Book may be frightening to some (as the story includes kidnapping ghouls, murderers, and possible thievery), though I did not find it so.

-Rose S. M.

E.S. Rhodes

To discover more chilling tales by Neil Gaiman, visit his website at http://www.neilgaiman.com/!

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

One of the characters in this story, Molly, has a fear of her stepsister, Heather, and so does Molly’s brother Mike. Heather hates everyone -- Molly, Mike, and her new stepmother -- everyone except her father. As soon as they move to a new house with a cemetery in the back, Heather starts making up a girl named Helen. But is Helen really made up? Heather, Mike and Molly find out later that a little girl named Helen was buried in the cemetery. As the mystery gets harder to crack, they find out something horrible about Helen and their own stepsister. You have to read it to find out more!

To be honest, this is one of my favorite books in the world. I love how the author just keeps you interested until you hit the last word in the book. One of the characters in the book, Molly, was trying to figure out what was going on which in a way is like me because I love mysteries and trying to solve them. Now that I read and loved this book, hopefully you will feel the same way, too. If you love mysteries, ghosts or haunted places then you have to read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone in grades 5-8 between the ages of 10-14. – G.O., Stadium School.

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

       When you read The Old Willis Place, a chill will run down your back. Mary Downing Hahn, the author, writes about a brother Georgie and a sister Dianna who are stranded on a farm with no adult supervision. How did they get there? Find out what has happened to Georgie and Dianna by reading the book.

Mary Downing Hahn does an excellent job describing the characters. I had them pictured in my head. When she was describing the setting you had to use your five senses. I felt like I was really there.

If you like scary stories or mysteries, then you will love The Old Wills Place. It is a shocking and suspenseful fiction story that most readers would enjoy reading. You will never want to put the book down.  E. A., Garden City School

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Mibs is turning 13 and that's when she gets her "savvy" - special skill. All of her family has a savvy: one of Mib's brothers controls hurricanes, the other causes electricity, her grandfather moves mountains, and her mother's savvy is that she is perfect. Mib's father got into a coma the day before her birthday. Mibs loved her father so much that she went on a bus to find and help him. What will happen on this mysterious adventure? Will Mibs savvy save her father? Read the book to find out.

Melissa C.

Woodridge School

The Scary States of America by Mike Teitelbaum

In The Scary States of America you go through all the states and find all the paranormal in it. You can read about The Beast of Bray Road and the Vampires of Exeter. The few main characters are Jason Specter and his online pals who are with him throughout the book. As the book says "you take a journey around the states and learn the weird and scary. Some ghost/aliens don't mean to hurt anyone, but some of them do." If you like scary books, give this one a try!

By Renny L.

Woodridge School

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

The fifth book in the Percy Jackson series is the best! In this book the gods are in trouble. Percy Jackson has just turned sixteen and, according to the great prophesy, he will have to make a decision of great importance that will save or destroy the gods. He and his fellow campers, along with hunters from the third book, must defend New York from Kronos' armies. Percy has to deal with monsters, dying friends, angry Titans, gods, a spy, and temptation. There are many twists and turns and the hero of the prophecy is not the person you expect. This book answers questions that have arisen in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone that at least liked one of them. Read this one last, read it slowly and with care.


I hope Rick Riordan writes another book or series that fulfills the new prophecy that's made in the end. I would not mind some new characters.
Ben L.
Grade 6
E. S. Rhodes

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

The second book of the Twilight Saga begins with what was to be a happy occasion, the celebration of Bella’s eighteenth birthday. The event turns decidedly frightening when Bella gets a simple paper cut and everyone there realizes that the slightest sign of blood in the presence of vampires could mean the end of Bella’s life as she knows it. Edward, handsome vampire that he is, decides that he and his family must leave Forks forever in order to save Bella.

Bella descends into a major slump with the departure of her dear Edward. She soon finds that being with a friend, Jacob Black from the Quileute reservation, gives her some moments of relief from her pain. Bella is heartbroken and finds that extreme motorcycle rides and cliff diving bring the consolation of Edward’s voice. Soon after, Jacob can’t see Bella because of another reason. She finds out that Jacob is a werewolf! The triangle becomes even more complicated!

Bella, an ordinary human, seems to fall for extraordinary creatures like Vampire Edward and Werewolf Jacob. Part of the suspense is waiting for whom Bella will choose. Bella has a lot of deciding to do.

Maddy M., Sarah B., E.S. Rhodes

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is the first book from the Twilight Saga. It is a romantic vampire love story with tons of action. It takes place in a town called Forks in Washington. It’s about a seventeen-year-old girl named Bella who comes to Forks to live with her father. One day at school during lunch, she sees a group of unbelievably special teenagers. They are the Cullen’s. One she specifically notices is a boy the same age who is in her biology class named Edward Cullen. Not much later, Bella is introduced into Edward and his family’s supernatural world. During a game of family baseball, a group of nomad vampires show up and start to track Bella and put her in grave danger. You have to read the rest of the story to find out more. My favorite character is Alice Cullen. I like her bubbly and optimistic personality. She has an amazing super power to see the future, too. 

I absolutely adored this book because the suspense on every page made me went to read on. My favorite part of the book is when Bella goes to Edward’s house. The way the house is described, made me feel like I was really there. I can relate to Rosalie the most because she wants to protect her family just like I do.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic, suspenseful, action-packed books. This book is good for ages 11 and up. If you read the book and like it, you can watch the movie. It came out on DVD March 21, 2009. --  G.L., Stadium

The Boggart by Susan Cooper

Twelve year old Emily and her brother Jess manage to be regular kids, even after their family has inherited a real, old, damp, drafty Scottish castle. They visit it during the summer to tend to details, like caregivers and fix-up work, and they bring some souvenirs home to Canada. Including, unknown to them, a mysterious…something. Ice cream and peanut butter start to disappear, and things that never went bump in the night are doing it now. What was in that desk that Emily brought home from Scotland? Whatever it is, it’s discovering electricity for the first time, as it tries to communicate and play jokes on Emily and Jess through their computer, the lights in a theater, and worst of all, traffic lights… This supernatural tale combines science and legend with humor and very believable consequences.

Author's web site:

http://www.thelostland.com/bogg.htm

The Lost Land is Susan Cooper’s web page. It has lots of information about her other books, including the Dark is Rising Series.

There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around by Vivian Vande Velde

What do you do when your annoying little sister has imaginary friends? You ignore her, of course. But Ted becomes less annoyed and more intrigued when his sister Vicki’s imaginary friends take a very scary turn. When the two ghostly visitors gets into Ted’s dreams and start to do some real haunting, Ted needs to dig into the history of his house to find out what they want, and how to stop them from hurting anyone in order to get it. When Ted finds a journal belonging to an ancestor, he begins to untangle the mystery and works toward helping these ghosts find their rest after so many years. A spooky ghost story, and extremely satisfying as a problem-solving mystery.

Cool web site:

http://www.vivianvandevelde.com/books.cfm

Go to Vivian Van Velde’s web site. Click on the Books for Teens, or the Books for 8 to 14 year olds. There are so many great titles! She does fantasy, fairy tales turned on their ears, and cyber fiction. Check it out!

Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith

We meet the Bone threesome in Book#1 under very trying circumstances. Due to one of Phone Bone's financial swindles, the three Bone cousins have been exiled from Boneville and they are lost and disheartened. Fone, the goodhearted hero, tries to lead the group on to find water and whatever else can be had, while looking out for his cousins. Turns out, the valley is populated by bugs, rats, a dragon, and even humans! Thorn and her Cow Racing Gran'ma take Fone Bone under their wings. We soon get the idea that something is not quite right as Gran'ma gets the "gitchy" feeling that's an omen of bad things to come....

Watch the video where Jeff Smith takes us to the setting for

Bone #6 Old Man's Cave

http://www.scholastic.com/bone/index.htm

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

What an exciting meeting of fantasy and mythology! Percy (Perseus) Jackson has troubles in school and troubles at home. His ADHD has tried the patience of his mother and his teachers at several different schools. Camp "Half-Blood" is a refuge for Percy and others like him. Percy finds himself and unravels the mystery of his heritage in the company of demigods. The Olympians are his true family and he is a hero among them.

This series blends modern concerns with tales of gods, satyrs, and minotaurs. Harry Potter fans will love this series!

Visit Rick Riordan's web site to see other titles in the series :

http://www.rickriordan.com/children.htm