Beginning of Everything – Read It and Rate It

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The Beginning of Everything, by Robyn Schneider, is a novel that describes the life of Ezra Faulkner and his outlook on life – that everyone has their own personal tragedy that eventually changes them.  When his own personal tragedy strikes he has to learn to make the best of it and move on in his life.  I … Read more

Freak the Mighty – Read It and Rate It

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick Adventure Realistic Fiction Review # 1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Freak the Mighty was an interesting book with a tall boy named Max and a tiny boy named Kevin (or Freak).  Freak has a disorder and was told he would not live a long life, but was abnormally intelligent.  Through this book, these two boys become best friends and go on quests and adventures together.  Sadly, at … Read more

Maximum Ride: Final Warning – Read It and Rate It

The Final Warning Maximum Ride series #4 by James Patterson Adventure Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book is really great because it is an adventure book twisted with romance and science fiction.  In this book the main character Max is fulfilling her destiny.  It’s really good and I hope when you read it you really enjoy it.  

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – Read It and Rate It

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Wimpy Kid #9 by Jeff Kinney Funny Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Greg Heffley’s mom has the brilliant idea of taking an educational family road trip after she reads about it in a glossy issue of “Family Frolic” – her favorite magazine.  It’s pretty much a disaster from start to finish.  The Heffleys have crammed everyone and everything into their van and … Read more

Fourteenth Goldfish – book review

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm Science Fiction Tween – grades 5-8 * * *  Stars (Pretty good) Ellie, sixth-grader, takes it in stride when her grandfather – who has cultured the elixir of youth from a heretofore unknown jellyfish – comes to live with her and her mother after being arrested for breaking into his own lab.  Because his elixir works.  And he’s now the same cantankerous and opinionated old man (who loves Chinese … Read more

You Wish – book review

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard Funny Supernatural * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kayla McHenry turns 16 and her mother – the party planner – throws her the most horrifying Sweet Sixteen party ever.  Too much pink, too much cake, and too many people – none of them friends.  As she blows out her birthday candles Kayla wishes for all of her birthday wishes to come true, which they start to do the following day … Read more

Nest – book review

  Nest by Esther Ehrlich Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Tween (Grades 5-8) * * * SPOILER ALERT! * * * Eleven year old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein is an avid birdwatcher growing up with her older sister in the early 1970s on Cape Cod.  The Orensteins’ lives are forever changed when Chirp’s mother is diagnosed with MS (multiple-sclerosis).  Mom – a dancer – sinks into a deep depression when her … Read more

Language Inside – book review

The Language Inside by Holly Thompson Novel in verse Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Emma Karas’ family moves back to Massachusetts from Japan, where she has lived her whole life, when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer.  It is right after the Tsunami disaster strikes and Emma feels terrible that she can’t be with her friends and their loved ones, helping them in the aftermath.  Although she’s fluent in English, Emma … Read more

Stitching Snow – book review

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis Fairytale Retelling Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Princess Snow (aka “Essie”) escaped to Thanda 8 years ago when her stepmother, Olivia, made an attempt on her life.  Since then, she’s become adept at “stitching” together codes to modify the programming of the mining droids at settlement 42, and values the mental and physical challenges of her work (she makes extra money participating in the fighting circuit).  When … Read more

The Huntley Area Public Library will be closed Thursday, November 28, 2024, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Additionally, we will be closing early Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Our exterior book drop will be closing on Wednesday, November 27, at 5:00 p.m. as well. All online resources will be available during this time. The library and exterior book drop will reopen Friday, November 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.