Radium Girls by Kate Moore Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) During WWI a number of young women worked in factories as dial painters – using radium paint to illuminate the numbers and dials of wristwatches and console panels. They did not know then that radium was harmful. Over time, these women developed terrible and debilitating illnesses, many of which proved to be fatal. Those that sought medical assistance were often misdiagnosed and all … Read more
La Belle Sauvage Book of Dust #1 by Philip Pullman Adventure Fantasy Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) In this first book of a series that takes place prior The Golden Compass, Malcolm (12 years old) learns of the existence of baby Lyra (said to be the child of Lord Asrael and Mrs. Coulter) who comes to be looked after by the nuns at a nearby convent where Malcolm helps out. He becomes … Read more
One by Sarah Crossan Novel in Verse Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Grace and Tippy are teenaged conjoined (from the waist down) twins who are going to attend private school for the first time (they were homeschooled before) and they’re nervous about how people will react to them. Going out in public is usually an ordeal for them as everyone stares. But, they make a couple of friends quickly and school isn’t … Read more
Drop everything and start reading these graphic novels (there are 2 so far) by Doug Savage about a Moose that shoots lasers from his eyes, and his sidekick/companion, Rabbit Boy and their adventures protecting their forest home from all sorts of dangers! Book #1 – Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy by Doug Savage Funny Graphic Novel Juvenile Fiction Science Fiction Young Adult Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are … Read more
Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) I always enjoy Patrick Carman’s books. I have read most of them, but this is by far one of his best books. I love the suspense in the story, how it keeps you on the edge of your seat. The videos that go along with it make the story a lot more creepy and exciting. Thx, Patrick Carman!
Marika by Andrea Cheng Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) I love how this book informs us of all the struggles and all the horrific things Jews had to go through during the Holocaust. This book tells of a young girl who writes in a journal of all her experiences as a Jew. The book reminds us that the world is a horrible place.
The Wish by Gail Carson Levine Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) I liked this book because it shows what life can be like. It points out that not everyone is liked by others. There are some people who get secluded just because they are different. The world can be a mean place, but sometimes you just have to force yourself to think positive and deal with it. Be the best … Read more
Thunderhead Arc of a Scythe #2 by Neal Shusterman Dystopian Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The Scythedom is split into factions – those who respect the old ways and take their responsibilities seriously, and those who embrace killing for its own pleasure and who would like to repeal their self-imposed restrictions. The Mid-American High Blade’s position is left vacant when Xenocrates accepts a new title – Grandslayer. Whomever is … Read more
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Arthur Owens gets in trouble with the law when he throws a brick at a trash-picking, presumably homeless man he sees around his neighborhood. He’s sent to a juvenile delinquent facility for several weeks and at his trial it comes out that the reason he attacked the man was because he saw him wearing his recently-passed-away dad’s hat (his … Read more
Assassination Classroom #1 by Yusei Matsui Manga Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) A book about a being that comes to Earth and blows up a lot of the moon. This being demands that he’s made a teacher of a class of misfits. He says that in one year he’ll blow up the Earth, too. The students of this being’s class are tasked with killing it before the year is up. … Read more