Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice

THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED tells how the first vampires came to exist according to Anne Rice. To her, it all started with two sister witches, a ghost, and greedy rulers. The Queen of the Damned comes back to life and the two witches, who are the very first two vampires, must stop her before she kills the whole human race.

I loved the way Anne Rice wrote this book. She described everything in detail, but not too much detail. It was easy to read and a very enjoyable book. Megan B.

Dead Man's Dance by Robert Ferrigno

A mystery about the murder of a judge and the people invlved in his life and murder, DEAD MAN'S DANCE was written wonderfully, which made it easy to read. When the judge is murdered, his stepson, Quinn, begins to ask questions about the judge's relationship with everyone he knew. The people Quinn thought he could trust end up getting hurt or betraying his trust. It's a mystery full of twists. Megan B.

Grass for His Pillow by Lian Hearn

Separated from his beloved Kaede, Takeo was trapped by his Tribe family the Kikuta. Takeo regretted this, having never expected to live after the night at Inuyama where he had both rescued and avenged his adopted father, Lord Otori Shigeru. He was now forced to take part in the wicked duties of spying and silent assassanation, but all the while the magical talents that he inherited from the Tribe were being trained and honed into an acute and focused power. He wished that he could return to his life as Lord Otori Takeo, heir to the Otori clan. The religion of the Hidden that he was born to was lost to him by then, as were any traces of another religion that he might have picked up. He wanted to leave, but he was bound by both word and blood, and if he strayed from Tribe he would be sentenced to certain death. He did, however, run away to fulfill Shigeru's wish for vengeance and to marry Shirakawa Kaede. He learned that he could find safety from the Tribe, however temporary, with all those loyal to the Otori, the shunned Hidden outcasts, and the monks at the monastery of Terayama. Through one of the Hidden, he heard of a prophecy which said that he was to fight five battles, four to win and one to lose. The one he would lose would be at the hands of his child, whose mother was not Shirakawa Kaede. Kaede, one of an extreme few female leaders, also needed to claim a seat of power at the head of two clans, the Shirakawa and the Maruyama. Now faced with winning alliance with the new overlord Arai, the constant threat of the Tribe, and the five battles, Takeo's life was more tense and suspenseful than it ahd ever been before. I was so impressed by Grass for His Pillow. I am eagerly awaiting the chance to read the final book in Lian Hearn's trilogy. Both of the book so far are immensely worthwhile to read, even for those who have less than favorable outlooks towards reading. Nadia J.

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Tomasu was born amongst the peace-loving people called the Hidden who believed in forgiveness and shunned the thought of war or killing. He grew up knowing only of harmony, without the thought of war. This gentle lifestyle, however, was one day shattered when he returned to his village to find everyone dead. He soon realizes that this mass murder was the work of the most powerful warlord in the Three Countries, Lord Iida. He tried to flee, with Iida's men on his tail, but without knowing the art of war, he was defenseless. He was rescued by another great lord, Lord Otori Shigeru, who adopted him as his own and taught him the basics of life in the warrior class. He was renamed Takeo, to make the neglect of his Hidden religion even more complete. He struggled to fully understand which of his identities were really his own, a problem added to when he discovered that he was gifted with the mystical powers of the Tribe. Now swept up in the complicated whirlwind of alliances and confrontations of the warrior class, he had to determine his place in the world. Was it with the Hidden, who are persecuted for their beliefs? Was it with the Otori clan that had accepted him as its own? Was it with the woman he loved, Lady Shirakawa Kaede, or was it with the other side of his heritage, the Tribe who were so contrary to the beliefs of his childhood? Across the Nightingale Floor is a beautifully written work of sheer creativity, a perfect blend of reality and fantasy that made me tingle in anticipation for its sequel. I was amazed by its tale of love, war, and bitter revenge. Lian Hearn's written world is definitely one worth revisiting. Nadia J.

Artemis Fowl The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer

This book is about Artemis Fowl a thirteen-year-old rich genius. In his past two books, he has encounters with the fairy world. Well, in this book he steals fairy technology and designs a C Cube supercomputer. When he made the C Cube it caused fairy technology to shutdown and could make humans find the fairies. Artemis decides to sell the C Cube to Jon Spiro, a big business man. They meet at a restaurant, and Jon Spiro steals the C Cube and shoots Butler (Artemis Fowl's bodyguard and best friend). Can Artemis Fowl save Butler and destroy the C Cube so the fairies world will be saved? Read this book to find out. This book interests me because of the fairies and how Artemis saves them and they save him.
Rishi P.

The Wish by Gail Carson Levine

In this book, Wilma, an unpopular eighth grader, is going to school not knowing that her bus ride could change her life forever. She notices a feeble old lady and gives her seat to her. The lady in turn grants Wilma a wish. She says she can make her one of the crowd, but Wilma asks if she can be the most popular kid at Claverford. Will Wilma still be able to keep her friends? I think this book is wonderful. I love this book because it was really interesting. Rishi P.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

In the book, The Thief Lord, two boys, Prosper and Bo, run away when they heard they were going to be separated. They decided to run away to Venice, a place their mother talked about a lot. When the two boys arrive at Venice, they meet a kid named Hornet. Hornet told them about how she was a part of a runaway gang who lived in a movie theater. So Prosper and Bo decide to join them. They meet the leader of the gang, Scipio. Scipio was known as the Thief Lord and stole jewels to buy clothes for the runaway kids. Everything was going smoothly till Scipio was asked to steal a wooden wing. Will Scipio be able to steal the wing or is he hiding something? Read the book to find out. I liked this book because it wasn't a book which you couldn't easily find out the ending. Rishi P.

Super Suite by Mark Montanos

SUPER SUITE by Mark Montanos is a great bedroom makeover guide for girls. I really enjoyed this book. It gave me lots of wonderful ideas for all different styles. Mark Mantano teaches you how to make great accesories on a budget. From ribbon pillows and tin tables to popsicle stick picture frames, you're sure to find your perfect style. If you're planning on redecorating your bedroom, this is a must. Angela M.

Polgara the Sorceress by David Eddings

Polgara the Sorceress is 3000-some-years-old, the Duchess of Erat, the most beautiful woman in all the world (with the exception of her sister, Beldazan), and has worked her magic for eons. We see through her eyes the story of her long and vivid life. From her birth to the homecoming of her wayward father and the losing of a most beloved sister, to the ledgendary battle of Vo mimbre, and finally, the fulfillment of her destiny as the Guardian and protecter of the Godslayer, whose coming had been fortold and on whose shoulders the fate of the world rests.... Eileen Y.

Leap Day by Wendy Mass

LEAP DAY by Wendy Mass is an excellent book. I enjoyed it from the first chapter to the last.

Josie Taylor has an odd birthday. She only has one every four years. Today she turns sixteen, and there is so much to do and so much going on. She must get her drivers license, try out for the play, go on the sophomore scavenger hunt, go to the lake and much more.

I like how the story was laid out and how the author put aside the thoughts of everyone else as well as Josie. I rate this book as an eight because it was an excellent book and was very detailed. Zach B.

How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen

HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME is not only funny, but daring. It tells not only odd ways to break records but also inane reasons why five boys break five records.

Carl wanted to beat the 74 miles per hour record on skis. Emil accidentally invented hang gliding. Wayne was the first to do a perfect backward somersault off a bicycle, Orvis the first to stay in the ring with a fighting trained bear for sixty seconds, and Harris the first to experience the negative effect of bungee jumping in a barn.

The causes and effects of what's to happen after such attempts are especially funny. I think that's why they call them extreme sports. Zach B.

Arena by Karen Hancock

I read the book ARENA by Karen Hancock about a girl who must decide who to put her courage in. Choices are all around her and will change her life forever.
Callie Hayes is in a dead-end job feeding rats and going to experimental money offers with her best friend, Meg Riley. This time a supposed obstacle course leads them to a new world where she meets the love of her life, defeats her fears - not only of heights - and fights the opposing Evil whie her faith is tested with her link of Elhanu.

I enjoyed the climax and rising action of Cassie and Pierce wondering, "Will they make it?" over and over again. The setting of this story in this new world was an excellent representation of distraction of what we got through that keeps questioning what we believe in. Zach B.

The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business by Steve Mariotti

Mr. Steve Mariotti is a very smart man, and I appreciate his tips in business in his book, THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR'S GUIDE TO STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS. I like the side details of how to handle your money, how to get started, and the success stories of Berry Gordy, Bill Gates and many others. Zach B.

Five-Minute Mysteries by Stan Smith

These five-minute mysteries are fun and challenging. I enjoy trying to solve them. I like the one especially of the case of the kidnapped consultant. They interviewed the employees, only to find one of them has a part in the crime. Zach B.

Dream-Weaver by Louise Lawrence

This story is about an earth boy on a ship going to colonize another planet and a girl that lives on that planet. The boy is appalled by the idea of making the locals slaves and destroying the planet the way ours was destroyed. The girl has the power to travel in a dream state like others in her peaceful society. They meet while she is dream travelling and discover he is heading to her planet. They and others on her planet must figure out how to deal with the approaching ship. Should they let it land and deal with the evils it will bring or force it to go somewhere else? This story is about working toward a greater good and the human fear toward things not understood. It is an ecellent story of love and betrayal with important thought-provoking themes and issues. Katie M.

Second Sight

SECOND SIGHT is a great book by various authors with different views of the millenium. Some stories take place back in 1000 AD and some take place in 2001 AD for those who believe on the extra year. I like how the stories each express their individualty and how each author responds. These authors are some of my favorites with with hit books such as Avi's Crispin or Madelenine L'engle's Wrinkle in Time. Zach B.

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick

This is a dark story about a boy named Spaz that is living in a dangerous civilization after the world as we know it was destroyed after a giant earthquake. The world has gone back to survival of the fittest except for a genetically altered few that have separated from the rest in a paradise called Eden. Spaz must get from one side of the Urb, the destoyed city in which he lives, to the other through several warring territories to see his sick sister. He enlists the help of an old man who is writing a book about his life that nobody knows how to read and is hoping for one last adventure. He also is accompanied by a small street boy and girl from Eden. Together they must save his sister and find their places in the world. This is a great story with frightening possibilities dealing with renewed prejudices that come from being uneducated. Katie M.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love and Friendship

This book, titled CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE TEENAGE SOUL ON LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, was an inspiring book to read. The stories in this book are very interesting to read beecause they are written by people about my age. This book had stories about breaking up, love, friendship, family, hard times. and growing up. I enjoyed reading this book and I could relate to some of these stories in this book. LISA D.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

When I read HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, I liked it. When Harry goes to Hogwarts, the Prisoner of Azkaban has escaped from Azkaban. When Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione find out that Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, is a killer, they are surprised. You should read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and adults should read it, too. Ronak P.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is a wonderful book that I read. It is Harry's second year at the magical school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is a great adventure book for kids to read. Will Harry win against the big and deadly basilisk? Find out for yourself when you read HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. Ronak P.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

I read HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, and it was great. It is Harry's first year at Hogwarts. He and his new friends Ron and Hermione quickly find out lots about the Sorcerer's Stone. In the end they were wrong about who was trying to steal the stone. So read the book and you'll find out what happens. Ronak P.

Fences by August Wilson

FENCES is a play by August Wilson and takes place from 1957 to 1965 in the vicinity of Pittsburgh. Troy Maxson, the main character in the play, was a great baseball player. Despite his incredible batting average, he never got a chance to have a career in baseball because of the color of his skin. Troy's son, Cory, has a talent in sports just like his father, however, Troy will not let Cory follow his dream of becoming a football player since he got turned down in baseball because of his race. He didn't want Cory to go through what he had went through. Because of his father's decision to cut him from the team, Cory begins to see Troy as someone who is holding him back. Throughout the play, the writer sets up a dramatic storyline, but at the same time amusing moments are mixed in to make an interesting conglomeration of writing both dramatic and comical. This is why I appreciate the structure of this play and its writing style. Fences tries to keep an imporant message throughout the book. The message is, give one another a shot at their goals and treat each other the way that you would want to be treated because we are all created equal. Bob P.

Heir to the Empire by Zahn

This wasn't the best Star Wars book I've read. It brings out more characters and species, but the story line dragged. The author creates minimal suspense and waits too long to reveal the mysteries. Han Solo tries to create alliances with smugglers for the New Republic. Leia is continually attacked by aliens and learns they have a connection to Vader. We learn of Chewie's world, with cities among the trees. The Empire has employed a new Jedi for their plans. Ultimately, the story is good enough, but it lacked the suspense of the other Star Wars books. Ellen D.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur C. Doyle

The book is set at the end of the 19th century and portrays the cases of the famous English detective, Sherlock Holmes, through the eyes of his loyal assistant, Dr. Watson. Whether it's the solving of a royal family case or discovering a plain old man's secret, the readers become thoroughly interested in the brilliance of the observing eye of the man with a large magnifying glass in his pocket.

Personally, I liked the stories very much. The writing was easy to understand but still managed to paint a picture of the settings and the people involved. Karolina D.

Demon in My View by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

The thrilling sequel to In the Forests of the Night, DEMON IN MY VIEW, captivates readers of all ages. This fast-paced novel depicts 17-year-old social outcast, Jessica, as she is confronted by the dark and mysterious characters of her thought-to-be-fictional book, the most frightening of whom is Aubrey, the all-powerful vampire featured in Atwater-Rhodes' previous book. This book was highly entertaining and pleasantly out-of-the-ordinary. Tanya J.

Macaroni Boy by Katherine Ayres

It is 1933, and the Great Depression has taken its toll on Amerians everywhere. A young boy named Mike Costa is growing up in the Strip. In fact, his father and uncles own the Costa Brothers: Fine Foods warehouse. When Mike's grandpa starts getting sick, Mike and his best friend, Joseph Ryan, try to figure out what is making Grandpa feel so bad.
MACARONI BOY is one of my favorite stories. One part I like about this story is Mike and Joseph's friendship. They would do almost anything for each other. Another thing I like is the mood. Even though times are rough, everyone tries to make the best of it. I also like how the story is set in Pittsburgh. I give MACARONI BOY a double-thumbs-up! Bruce H.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This is a story about a boy named Jonas. Jonas lives in what some today would think a perfect world, a world without war, greed, winter, or animals. He thinks so until the Ceremony of Twelve, when twelve-year-olds get their careers. He gets the Receiver of Memories as his. While in his training with the Giver, he realizes the truths about the place in which he lives. He also realizes that he needs to do something about it. My favorite part of this book is when he meets the Giver. It is very interesting how Jonas grows to learn that where he lives is not a good place. This is my favorite of Lois Lowry's books. Everyone should read it! Sylvia H.

Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt

When Dicey and her two brothers and her sister get abandoned the summer before, they end up at her grandmother's house where they think their troubles are over, but they aren't. The whole story is how Dicey and her brothers and sister start their new life while dealing with going to school, making money, parents dying and helping their sister, Maybeth, learn how to read. But while they are doing or going through all this, they are trying to stay close as a family. I loved this book so much. It was so interesting how they dealt with their troubles. Before you read this book you should read the prequel it called Homecoming. I liked both of these books a lot I think you will too! Sylvia H.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

This book is about a girl named Charlotte who is put on a ship with a bunch of pirates. One day one of the crew is murdered, and she is blamed for it. Her friend, Zachariah, who was accused earlier of something else, helps her try to find out who really murdered the man. Once she finds out who it was, it is quite a struggle to get the truth out because she doesn't know whom to trust. Finally she tells someone, and then he betrays her. The thing I like most about this story is the way she had to do the dare so that she could become the crew's friend. I loved the way the book was written too. Sylvia H.

Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff

This book, LILY'S CROSSING, was about a girl named Lily Mollahan. Every year Lily went to Rockaway by the Atlantic Ocean to spend her summer. This year at Rockaway, her best friend, Margaret, and her family have moved to a wartime factory town to live, and Lily's father has gone overseas to fight in the World War II. Then, Lily met a boy named Albert who was a refugee from Hungary. They meet, and they rescued a kitten someone has abandoned in harbor. After that, they became great friends. Lily told him she had lost her mother and was staying with her grandmother, and Albert said both his parents got killed for writing newspapers about how much they hated the Nazis and Hitler. Also, Albert's sister, Ruth, is sick in a hospital in France. At the end of the story, Lily's father comes home and Albert is back with his sister. Lisa D.

Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O'Dell

STREAMS TO THE RIVER, RIVER TO THE SEA was about a Shoshone girl named Sacagawea. It was an evening in late summer when Sacagawea was gathering berries with her cousin, Running Deer. A group of Minnetanees captured Running Deer and Sacagawea and killed many people from her village, including her mother. Sacagawea was taken to a village ruled by chief Black Moccasin. One day, she escaped and came upon a small island. As the nights grew colder, one morning she was rescued by a man named Toussaint Charbonneau. He married Sacagawea because he thought he had rescued her, even though Sacageawea didn't like him. After Sacageawea had a baby, two men named Lewis and Clark came to their camp. Sacagawea went along with the men, because they needed her to be their guide and interpret for them as they explored the Mississippi. Sacagawea went with them on foot, horseback, and by canoe, which was a four thousand mile journey. Lisa D.

Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin

The 2nd book in the Earth-Sea series. As the High Priestess, the one who tended to the fallen gods and the Tombs of Atuan, Tenar grew up in loneliness and darkness in a world of women, all of whom feared and despised her, without family, or even a memory of one, never knowing love or happiness. That is, until a strange young man from foreign shores came to the Tombs of Atuan. He was known as Sparrowhawk, a powerful wizard from the Archipelago, the only living dragon lord and in search of the ring of Elfarrann. Trapped in the 'Maze' by Tenar, who found herself unable to kill the dark young man and therfore kept him in the 'Maze', he told her of a world of which she never knew, a world beyond simply duty, where laughter often rang out. He told her of long forgotten legends of Elfarrann the Fair, whose beauty was so great an entire island sank. And he offered that world to her, should she trust him. The only problem is, should she trust him, when those around her prove to be traitors?

A compelling book. The characters are well-developed, and we are able to see how Tenar grows from a happy, exuberant child into a dark, self-possessed young woman. Sparrowhawk sheds light into her world, and we see how she once again changes, how she learns to trust and laugh.... Eileen Y.

Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson

Kaitlin Malone was born to hate the Crutchfields. Kaitlin's family had hated the Crutchfields since she can remember. Kaitlin had just entered a new school because her parents could not afford her private school. Kaitlin's dad is in prison serving a sentence for killing Robert Crutchfield. While in school trying to hide her identity after switching her last name to her mother's maiden name, she meets a boy named Bram. His full name is Bram Crutchfield, a young compassionate artist who falls in love with Kaitlin. Kaitlin also falls in love with Bram, before realizing that her father killed his father accidentally.

Kaitlin gets caught up in lies to hide her true identity from Bram. Whenever she tells him who she really is, he doesn't care too much because he still loves her, no matter what her name is. I thought this book Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson was the most heartwarming and emotional book I have ever read. It taught you what love really is. Chessa H.

The Courtship of Princess Leia by Wolverton

This book was fantastic. If you love Star Wars characters Luke, Leia, Han Solo, and others you should read this. As Han's love for Leia grows, a prince from the world of Hapes wishes to marry Leia. Han kidnaps Leia hoping to win back her love. Unfortunately, they meet up with trouble. Who will Leia choose? Read it to find out. The author cleverly jumps between different story lines by chapter. I liked that style. I highly recommend this book for Star Wars fans. Ellen D.

Forgotten Fire by Adam Bagadasarlan

This book is about an Armenian (in other words, Christian) boy going through a holocaust in Turkey. He must survive WWII without his family and a safe home where he is considered an evil pest to be exterminated by anyone who knows he is Armenian. I had a lot of trouble putting this book down. Many of the deaths and other things he witnesses are very sad, but I found the plot and the history behind this book very interesting. It drove me to find more on this historic event I previously knew nothing about. Katie M.

Fifteen by Beverly Cleary

Jane Purdy isn't the cashmere sweater wearing type of girl and doesn't get vey many dates, until she meets a boy while she is babysitting for a neighbor's daughter who lives a few blocks away. The boy, Stan Crandall, delivers dog meat for the dog of the people she babysits for. Stan is the most popular boy in school, and to Jane's disbelief, he asks her out on a date. At the end of the book, Stan gives Jane his identification bracelet to show that Jane is "his girl". This book, FIFTEEN, by Beverly Cleary was a laughable and humorous book about a girl's first date. I enjoyed it completely. Chessa

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, written by Anne Frank, is about a 13-year-old girl that goes into hiding with her family during the Holocaust. She keeps a diary of all the things that happen until they are eventually discovered and taken away to the concentration camp by the Nazis. The book was a very detailed book. Anne wrote about every little thing that happened. She told about how the Jews were limited to where they were allowed to go or attend. This book made me feel good when you were reading it because Anne had such a positive attitude. The part that grabbed me the most was how Anne's family was living in a small apartment above where Anne's father worked. They had very little food and space. I felt that some parts of this book were easy to understand, but then some parts were shocking and horrific. Chessa

It Had To Be You by Stephanie Doyon

In the book IT HAD TO BE YOU, Rebecca Lowe is in love with a boy. They have been exchanging e-mails, but the only problem is that they don't use their real names. Meanwhile, Rebecca's band has a new member. His name is Jordan West, but Rebecca thinks he is going to take over the band, so she isn't fond of him. So Rebecca decides to meet face-to-face with her online boyfriend at the Homecoming Dance. The boy goes to her school. Rebecca thinks the boy is this new foreign exchange student from Spain. But it turns out to be Jordan. Rebecca soon realizes that Jordan is actully sweet and loving, not as mean as she thought he was. I thought this book was very interesting. I especially liked how the boy turned out to be. Jordan and Rebecca fell in love with him. The mood of the book was pleasant. by Chessa H.

The Boy Next Door by Janet Quin-Harkin

In THE BOY NEXT DOOR, Amber Stevens was having a great life in New York. But then her parents decide to move from the big apple to her ill grandfather's farm in Wyoming. In New York, Amber had a new boyfriend and great friends. But to Amber's dismay, she soon falls in love with Rich Winter, her handsome like-cowboy neighbor. But when Amber's friends come to visit her, everything goes wacko and Amber must decide whether to go back to New York or to stay in Wyoming with Rich. This was a very fascinating book that grabbed my attention very quickly. The part that I enjoyed the most was how Amber chose to stay in Wyoming with Rich and not go back to New York with her friends. I also liked the development of Amber and how she went from being well off in New York to surviving with the bare minimum in Wyoming. Chessa H.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

There was an old man and a boy who he trained in fishing. The old man was having awful luck and hadn't caught a fish for 84 days. The boy was told by his father to go fish with someone else. So the old man went out fishing alone on day 85. He caught a huge 18-foot swordfish. The old man held onto the line for 2 days before he could harpoon the fish and kill it. On his way back home he was exhausted and was talking to himself. By the time he got home the whole fish was eaten by sharks, except the skeleton. Nobody in the town had seen a fish any bigger. The boy was there to greet the old man. The old man suffered so much pain to not have the fish. Hannah K.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Eight years had passed for Ann Eliot since she fell in love with a certain Captain Frederick Wentworth. Eight years since accepting his proposal and then breaking off the engagement. But eight years had not diminished her love for said Captain. Now she is a woman of 27, past her bloom of youth, her beauty fading, her father's wealth diminishing. He, a successful naval captain, a war hero, has made his fortune of 25,000 pounds while at sea, still as handsome as ever, still as well-spoken and amiable, all that is witty and intelligent, and secretly harboring an anger towards Anne while still nursing his broken heart.

With his return from the war and in a strange twist of fate, Anne and the Captain are thrown together. He is determined to get her out of his heart even as he discovers how sweet, patient, unselfish, and kind she is, and exactly why he fell in love with her all those years ago. But he remains stubborn, his pride and anger forcing him to distance himself from Anne. And Anne in her despair and agony remains silent.

While Austen has not lost her touch in her final book, her view is more mature. The irony is as strong as ever, and some characters remain as ridiculous. But the heroine is older and more mature, with a better sense of the world, less naivete and much more experience. Eileen Y.

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques

This book is about a badger lord and a young hare who journey together to the mountain Salamandastron. They meet many friends and win the mountain back by defeating a great enemy.

I enjoyed reading this book. It kept me wanting to read it more and more. I liked how at the beginning, Dotti the hare was young and impatient, but at the end she was more mature and more patient. Cassie P.

The Accident by Diane Hoh

THE ACCIDENT is an unpredictable novel. It is about a young girl who discovers a ghost, Juliet, in her mirror. She asks to switch places with her for one week. Once they do, the young girl notices something is wrong. Will she ever be able to convince Juliet to give her her life back? Cassie B.

The Five People You meet in Heaven by Mitch Album

The book THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN is about a man named Eddie who worked in an amusement park all of his life and is killed in a tragic accident when a ride breaks down. The book starts with Eddie's death and goes through his first experiences in heaven. In heaven, Eddie meets the five people who had the biggest impact on his life. The book was very enjoyable. It showed another idea of what heaven is like. I found I was very wrapped up in the sorrow, anger, and love that Eddie felt. His story is everyone's story, whether his life was a success or a complete failure. Katy G.

Dead Man's Dance

A mystery about the murder of a judge and the people involved in his life and murder, DEAD MAN'S DANCE was written wonderfully, which made it easy to read. When the judge is murdered, his stepson, Quinn, begins to ask questions about the judge's relationship with eveyone he knew. The people Quinn thought he could trust end up getting hurt or betraying his trust. It's a mystery full of twists. Megan B.

Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice

THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED tells how the first vampire came to exist according to Rice. To her, it all started with two sister witches, a ghost, and greedy rulers. The Queen of the Damned comes back to life, and the two witches, who are the very first two vampires, must stop her before she kills the human race.

I loved the way Anne Rice wrote this book. She described everything in detail, but not too much detail. It was easy to read and a very enjoyable book. Megan B.

Night of Madness by Lawrence Watt-Evans

This book is about a group of people who suddenly had magical powers bestowed upon them in the middle of the night. The powers came as a big shock to all. Many people disappeared and the other people ceated chaos in the streets. The people with the new magic, called warlocks, were considered evil and dangerous by everyone else. The warlocks have to control their new powers and convince everyone else they are trustworthy before they are all exiled or put to death. This was an excellent book that depicted really well how people think and treat others and how they react when faced with something dark and unfamiliar.

Lasher by Anne Rice

As always with Anne Rice's books, this was another great one. I was drawn in by her detail and ability to write. I couldn't put the book down. The story jumps from past to present, but all the bits and pieces fit together in the end.
Lasher is a family ghost that is born again on Christmas. The Mayfair family must stop him before he can wipe out the human race and make his race dominant. Megan B.

What Janie found by Caroline B. Cooney

In WHAT JANIE FOUND by Caroline B. Cooney, Janie's two families appear to have made peace. Life seems almost normal. Janie's even decided to speak to her former boyfriend, Reeve, again. But then Janie's Connecticut father suffers a sudden stroke, and this tragedy leaves her mother reeling. Janie must step in to manage family finances and to support her mother emotionally. While handling her father's business matters, Janie discovers one undeniable fact that could destroy both of her beloved families. And she alone must decide what to do. I absolutely love Caroline B. Cooney's books. This is the last book in the Face on the Milk Carton series, and I have to say it was the best. The book was very suspenseful in Janie's decision to do with what she found. Chessa H.

Armageddon Summer by Bruce Coville and Jane Yolen

Mazina's father, married and conscious of that fact, but ignoring it nonetheless, is dating a co-worker. Jed's mother who happens to be a responsible, reliable science teacher, has decided to run away with some photographer, and, as if their lives weren't messed up enough, their respective mother and father (who are not dating or running away with anyone) have taken into their heads that the world is going to end on July 27th. Right.

They are dragged onto Mount Weeupcut to spend 2 weeks with "religious maniacs" who speak with every word capitalized. Both find that living away from all the modern conveniences and surviving on only canned food really, well, sucks. And why should the world end? Especially right now when they've fallen in love for the first time.

Told in an hilarity-filled way, as both teens go through the normal and abnormal stress of teenage years. And when the Armageddon does come, just not in a way anyone expected, they must learn that life goes on no matter what.... Eileen Y.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Hazel was a young, strong, promising buck rabbit labelled crazy and insane for listening to his brother, Fiver, and leading a group of rabbits away from the warren in search of a new home. "Blood," Fiver had said. "There is blood eveywhere! Covering the field!" but it was all grass that covered the field. Fiver was having his fits again, that was it. But the warren had not learned to appreciate Fiver's strange visions for soon blood is covering the fields.

Hazel follows Fiver and the group follows Hazel. "Where are we going?" Hazel often asks and Fiver replies the same answer, "To a hilltop... to a place we may call home."

The road to "home" is far from easy as the rabbits soon learn. But with strength, ingenuity, trust, friendship, and hope they may finally find a place to truly call home.

A brilliant piece of work that just leaves you with a happy, pleasant feeling as if all is right with the world. Eileen Y.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

It is hard to imagine a more different set of sisters than Marianne and Elinor Dashwood. Elinor is the eldest, very gentle and calm with a tight rein on her emotions, and the very image of "sense". Marianne, the younger, is prettier, more artistic, and a hopelessly incurable romantic with a set of leaky waterworks to boot, representing "sensibility". Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, not very handsome, not very rich, but kind and gentle... and also engaged to a witch, aka Lucy Steele, an insipid leech with a high-pitched voice. Marianne is in love with John Willoughby as he is handsome, "rich", and an absolute knight in armor... who enjoys seducing young innocent women and then leaving them with ruined reputations. Then there is Colonel Brandon an upright young gentleman who loves Marianne in silent adoration, but scorned for he is not as dashing as John. What a tangled web we weave!

A very interesting romance, almost as involved as Shakespeare with lots of twists and turns and an ending not exactly predictible. Eileen Y.

The Girl Death Left Behind by Lurlene McDaniel

I love all of McDaniel's books. This one was great. It is about a girl named Beth who is getting tired of her family. A car accident kills every member of her family. Now she finds herself lost, confused, and sad. Eventually she moves in with her aunt and her family. At the end she is better able to cope with the accident. The author uses a wonderful writing style. You feel drawn in to the character and relate to her feelings. It makes you thankful for your family! Ellen D.

The Perfect Plot by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew, a teen sleuth, travels with her friend George to Mystery Mansion, created by the late Dorthea Burden. Famous mystery authors and such, like Vanessa van Ness, arrive for a conference. But it quickly becomes more than just a conference. A fake murder, a real murder, and a theft all occur in this bizarre house full of secret passageways. I loved it because there are so many twists and turns, and it was truly mind-boggling. I encourage you to read this blood-curdling story. It's like nothing you've ever read before! Timmy W.

Kiss and Tell by Carolyn Keene

It all starts when top detective Nancy Drew and her friend Bess go to a book signing of romance novelist Esme Moore. But when threats of destroying Esme's career come into the picture, cy takes charge. Nancy quickly finds suspects, most with a motive of jealousy or revenge. Then Sam Fanelli, a police investiangator, starts helping Nancy. Love seems caught between Nancy and Sam, but then she remembers she has a boyfriend! Will the case be solved before Sam wants to take their 'relationship' even farther? You can find out by reading KISS AND TELL, Case #104 of the Nancy Drew Files. I was hooked by the particular writing style of the author. It is truly a breathtaking book, especially the thrilling twist! Timmy W.

The Girl Death Left Behind by Lurlene McDaniel

Lurlene McDaniel's THE GIRL DEATH LEFT BEHIND is a wonderful, heartwarming story about the true love of family. Beth Hexton's entire family was killed in a tragic car accident. She was the only survivor. Beth no longer had her parents or her siblings. She was forced to leave her home town in Tennessee to move to Florida with her Aunt Camille and goody two-shoed cousin, Terri. Beth feels alone in the world and is faced with the hardship of making all new friends at a new school. She knows that she must not dwell on the situation, but make the best of it. She learns to appreciate everything because you never know how much you really have until it's gone. Angela M.

Secret Admirer by R.L. Stine

SECRET ADMIRER is a horror story about Selena Goodrich, a young high school actress. She won the lead in the school play, has lots of great friends and fans, but someone wants her to die and drop out of the play. Selena's secret admirer sent her a dead rat and a bouquet of dead flowers. She is very sure of herself and won't let anything get in her way of getting her scholorship to Northwestern. Can Selena protect herself from her worst nightmare killing her opening night? Angela M.

A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie

Rex Fortescue was poisoned at the beginning of the book. Inspector Neele began questioning the people in the house and found rye in Mr. Fortescue's pocket. The next day both the maid and Fortescue's wife died. All of these events followed the rhyme about blackbirds. Mr. Fortescue was suspected of having killed someone in a mine in Africa called Blackbird Mine. Hannah K.

"Sing a song of sixpence
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie. "

All the Time in the World by Liz Nickles

Nicki McBain was ready to become a lawyer in the book, ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. She thought she had all the time in the world to do whatever she wanted, but then she found out she had a life-threatening disease. While on a cruise with her friends, she falls in love with a photographer, Michael Schuster. She tells Michael that she is dying, and they decide to get married. The part of the book that grabbed me the most was that Michael loved Nicki so much that he wanted to spend every waking moment with her. I also liked the development of Michael and Nicki's relationship. She didn't expect to fall in love, but you can't help who you fall in love with. Chessa H.

Circles by Marilyn Sachs

Everyone who knows Beebe Clarke and Mark Driscoll think they are good for each other. But the problem is whenever they try to meet each other, one of them has an excuse not to meet. They are both juniors in the same high school. Mark's dad is dating Beebe's mom, and both of them can't get their kids to meet. Finally, they meet, and they are both perfect for each other. The part that grabbed me the most in CIRCLES was how they kept missing their meeting time. I thought this book was comical. I also enjoyed reading about the development of Mark Driscoll. Chessa H.

Drawing Lessons by Tracy Mack

DRAWING LESSONS is a book about a young girl names Rory, short for Aurora. Rory is an extremely talented young artist. She is an only child and has a wonderful yet powerful relationship. She also has a powerful relationship with her best friend, Nicky. Her art teacher asks Rory to do a drawing for an art contest. Rory accepts and is happy about it. But when her father is working on a painting, he does something he soon regrets when Rory comes to see him. Then her relationship with her best friend suffers when Rory hides her secret. Her relationship with her mom is tried because her mom finds out the secret. Her relationship with her dad is tried because of that secret. Rory has to work through her emotions because she may give up her art all together. This book is powerful and pulls you into it and shares the emotions with the reader. It's a good book, and I recommend it for all readers. Danyelle G.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

ERAGON by Christopher Paolini may very well be one of my favorite books of all time. It is a steadily fast-paced (which is saying something, considering the book is approximately 500 pages long) story about a young Dragon Rider, Eragon, and his faithful and surprisingly intelligent dragon, Saphira. Early in the book, Eragon is sent on a quest for revenge against the evil and magical Ra'zac who had murdered his uncle and guardian, Garrow. He is aided and trained by the town, Carvahall's, ancient and mysterious storyteller, Brom. He soon learns to wield the magic of the Riders through the gedway ignasia, a silver welt on his hand.

The book contains an unusual troop of characters including Ajihad the leader of the rebellion known as the Varden, Orik the dwarf, Solembum the werecat, Angela the witch, Durza the evil Shade, Murtagh the mysterious warrior, and Arya the elf who was captured by the king, Galbatorix, who was a dragon rider gone evil.

Eragon and Murtagh, whom he had met on his journey, had freed the unconscious Arya from her imprisonment. This occurence triggered a change in the direction of their journey, as they had to go to the Varden's great fortress city, Tronjheim, to attain the antidote to Arya's poison. Murtagh was unusually persistant to stay away from the Varden for reasons later to be revealed. The closer they came to the mountain citadel, the more evident the promise of epic battle became.

Paolini's writing quality was significantly above the norm. I would never expect such a masterpiece to come from an author even twice Paolini's age. It is truly a waste of a summer if you do not read this book. I am dying to read the next book in The Inheritance Trilogy, ELDEST.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares

This book is about a group of friends who find a pair of magical pants that fit all four of them. During the summer, they all go their separate ways, and the whole summer they mail the pants to one another. When they wear the pants, they all feel braver, which is part of the pants' magic.

I loved this book. The characters seemed so real, not like the made-up ones in most books. They seemed like they really could have been high school girls. At the beginning of the book, all of the girls seemed so young, but at the end, they all seemed so much more mature. The story is about how no matter what, good friends stay together. Cassie P.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Gemma's life in India was far from perfect, but her mother had forbidden her from going to London, a land she viewed as a stylish, sophisticated paradise. Alone in a bazaar, Gemma was suddenly struck with a frightening vision of her mother's death, a vision that swiftly came true. She was sent to London, finding it to be utterly disappointing. At Spence Academy, she was trained to become as society demanded it, soullessly polite and painfully courteous, or so she thought. While settling in, she is threatened by a mysterious cloaked man who warns her to stop her visions before it is too late. But how can she stop something she can't control, and does she really want to abandon these enticing new powers?

From the very first page, A Great and Terrible Beauty held me thoroughly entranced throughout the entire novel with its story of intoxicating power and the consequences of abusing it. I have no doubts that this book will be one of the greatest classics of tomorrow. Tanya J.

Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

Henry Atherton was helping an old man named Mr. Fogarty clean out his shed when he noticed a cat killing a butterfly. He ran over and pried the butterfly from the jaws of the cat only to find out that he wasn't holding a butterfly, but Pyrgud Malvae, Crown Prince of the Faeries of the Light. Needless to say, Henry was shocked to find a fairy in the backyard of crazy old Mr. Fogarty, and his adventure began.

Faerie Wars chronicles the attempt of Pyrgus Malvae to return to his home world in time to save the Empire before the Faeries of the Night, aided by a demon army, destroy both his and Henry's worlds. This fast-paced adventure brings fairy tales to life in an exciting and entertaining way. Tanya J.

Never Say Die by Carolyn Keene

If you are a mystery lover, NEVER SAY DIE is perfect for you! Nancy Drew, a teen detective, must save her friend, George, from all the so-called accidents happening to her. George, a girl who loves sports, is racing in quite a few different events in the Summitville Junior Classic. But someone is trying to get her to quit and will stop at nothing. Then a client of Nancy's father is robbed of a software program. Can Nancy solve the two crimes at once? Read the book to find out! I liked this book because it's very descriptive, clear with wording, and has lots of cliffhangers. In conclusion, I think NEVER SAY DIE is a great book for all suspense seekers! Timmy W.

Leaving Fishers by Margaret Haddix

At a new high school in Indianapolis, Dorry Stevens thought she would never make friends when one day she is introduced to a faction of acquaintances. Soon, she discovers that her friends are all a part of a religious group called the Fishers of Men. Dorry is overjoyed with her new companions' attention, but the Fishers make severe demands of their members. LEAVING FISHERS is an intense book written by Margaret Peterson Haddix, who is also the author of Running out of Time. I thought this was a wonderful and very descriptive book that tells a superb story. It has a great storyline and is filled with many feelings and emotions. Audrey C.

Vanished by Jean Waricha

Many people vanish without a trace. VANISHED tells of some of the most famous of all these cases. Was Ambrose Bierce killed in the Mexican Revolution, or was his stressful life too much to handle? Did George Leigh Mallory ever make it to the peak of Mt. Everest? Was Amelia Earhart alive after her plane crashed, or did she even make it to land? Whatever happened to Michael Clark Rockefeller who went exploring in New Guinea and never returned?

This book has its ups and downs. For me, one of the ups is its mysterious tone. I love reading mysteries. One of the downs is that it only has a few pages for each disappearance. The mood changes. For most cases, the mood starts happily, with the only exception being Ambrose Bierce who, growing up, hated his parents. Then the mood starts to go bad. For instance, Amelia Earhart's plane started to run out of fuel. Then things quickly go from bad to worse when the disappearances occur. Bruce H.

In the Key of Do by Carole Frechette

This book was excellent. The story is about a girl named Vero who befriends a wildly dressed girl named Do. The story describes their friendship and the strange disappearance of Do. After seeing someone who looks like Do, Vero searches for Do with her other friend, JFK. Will she find Do? How will it end? Read it to find out!

I particularly enjoyed the writing style the author uses. Each chapter jumps from the past to the present. As the story progresses, the reader learns more about the girls' friendship and Vero's search in the present. The plot is incredibly simple, yet the characters and the suspense make you read on. I began to care about the characters' friendship and wanted to know if Do was found. The ending answers all the questions developed throughout the story. I highly recommend this book. Ellen D.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possesion of a good fortune must be in want of a wife...."

Thus begins one of the greatest romance classics in English literature. Elizabeth Bennet is the daughter of a country gentleman, the second of four sisters, with a fine sense of the ridiculous, no dowry, and questionable beauty. The eldest sister, Jane, is compared to an angel, and rightly so, for Jane is beautiful, thoughtful, sweet, amiable... and in some ways boringly lovable. Mary is the third sister, who ought to have been a preacher, for she believes herself very wise and well-informed. As Mary is the only plain daughter in a family of beauties, she dedicates herself to music and singing... which ought to have resulted in great musical achievement but for the fact that she is almost tone-deaf, has a horrendous voice, and has no taste of music whatsoever. Catherine comes next. She is known as the sister who has no personality of her own and, therefore, follows the youngest, Lydia, around like a lost puppy. As for Lydia, she is all that is loud, brazen, and impolite, with no manners to speak of. Their father is in the possession of a very dry sense of humor and a great love of books. Mrs. Bennet is best described as a twit, with the voice of a yowling cat and one goal in life, to get all five daughters married.

When 2 eligible bachelors enter the neighborhood, the entire town is thrown into a frenzy of excitement. Mr. Charles Bingley is all that is amiable and friendly, pleasant to look at, and "in possesion of a good fortune". He is immediately taken with Jane, and Jane returns his affections. To Elizabeth, they are indeed the perfectly matched couple.

The second gentleman is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, tall, dark, and handsome (more along the lines of drop-dead gorgeous). He comes from a very prestigious and noble lineage, is his own master, and is very, very, very wealthy (10,000 pounds). However,(there is always a however, for such perfect men do not exist even in literature) Darcy is proud, arrogant, aloof, and thought to be above everyone around him. And insulting Elizabeth isn't the wisest thing he did, right below falling in love with her immediately afterwards. She thinks he's a jerk, and he'd rather die than admit a love for a woman of no connections, wealth, or anything to recommend her. Even the most neutral of topics end up with sparks flying. His pride and her prejudice remain a great obstacle on the road to happiness... so great an obstacle that after a series of tragic events, it is very doubtful whether that happiness will ever be reached.... Eileen Y.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

Ged is a wizard of great power, of great talent, and of great arrogance. And in his very pride and arrogance, he unleashed into the world a great evil, an evil which none but Ged can conquer. But the question remains, if that evil haunts Ged's every dream, dogs his every step, and continues to hunt him, how can Ged defeat it? How can the hunted become the hunter, the conquered, conquerer? How much courage must be needed? And what would happen should he fail?

Every page nearly drips with action and suspense... a wonderfully written book. Eileen Y.

Maggie by Ann M. Martin

In this book, Maggie, the main character, deals with lots of pressure. Her parents pressure her to be perfect. Also, in school, she feels the need to be perfect and get good grades. She studies all the time and never has time for anything else. Her parents are rarely home, too. Yet in the end, she finds a way to pull herself together.

I sat down to read this book, and I ended up reading the whole thing at the same time. This was a really good book, and as I read it, I could picture myself as being the main character. This book helps the person reading it understand that they can't always please others. They have to please themselves, too. Cassie P.

Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Sarah Vida is a vampire hunter of the oldest and most powerful line of witches. Her family's mission is to avenge the death of their ancestor by killing Nikolas, the most powerful vampire of all. She is taught to be unfeeling and hateful towards all vampires, and all friendly contact with them is forbidden. When she befriends two weak vampires, her world of all black and white begins to form shades of grey.

This is an easy-to-read story that keeps your attention the entire novel. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the ending is fabulously unexpected. Tanya J.

In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Rachel Weatre died in 1701, but was reborn as the vampire Risika. She was forced against her will to become a killer, but eventually adopted the role. Once she was a human, with a loving family and wonderful life until a powerful vampire named Aubrey killed her brother and she was changed into a vampire. She vowed to avenge her brother's death no matter what the cost. She will challenge the all-powerful Aubrey and discover the strength that she didn't know she had.

This was an amazing stroy with unbelievable excitement. I found it hard to believe that the author was only 14. Tanya J.

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

At the esteemed Reform Club in London, eccentric gentleman Phileas Fogg undertakes an audacious wager with his fellow club members; as a result, he embarks on an adventure of a lifetime - to traverse the world in eighty days. Having much at stake on this risky gamble, even a mere delay could cause Fogg to lose everything as he attempts to complete his journey.

AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, a masterpiece written by the esteemed Jules Verne, chronicles a "calm and phlegmatic" gentleman's ventures across the globe. Through language, Verne paints realistic, picturesque portraits of different peoples and locations. Many contrasting personalities are also present in this novel, from the loyal servant Passepartout, to the ambivalent and duty-minded Detective Fix, and finally to the enigmatic and mysterious Phileas Fogg himself, whose complex character is unraveled throughout the novel as he does deeds that betray his usual cold and exact personality. AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS is a classic that no one should miss. Andrew C.

Checkmate in Carpathians by Mary Reeves Bell

The book, CHECKMATE IN CARPATHIANS, finds Con and Hannah on their way to Romania to vacation with Hannah's uncle, the American Ambassador. On the train, Con sees Hans Grunwald, also known as Dirty Harry. Hannah doesn't believe him. Con finds a letter from Frau Rozstosk asking him to find the son of a long dead friend. This leads to an exciting adventure. Con and Hannah go to the house Frau R. named in her letter and find an orphanage with a boy named Poppy, and Con promises to come back to help Poppy. Con and Hannah meet Dirty Harry again. Can they escape? Who is Poppy? Read this book to find out!

I think that this book illustrates the tension in Romania after WW2. I think Poppy almost became the main character. This book's mood changed from very happy to sad to scared and stunned. Josh M.

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

Simon Glass, a smart, unkempt outcast, is taken in by a group of popular guys. Soon to be accepted, Simon starts rejecting important plans. Could he be facing death?

SHATTERING GLASS is a cutting edge story that will keep you on the edge of your seat flipping wildly through the pages for hours. Its dark yet unique style of writing puts the mood of the story into a whole new perspective. I loved the way the author focuses on the main event yet circles around it with different obstacles which pull the whole story together. What was really interesting was the way a few words would convince you to read more. This book is filled with mystery, and I'd encourage you to read it. Saleena G.

Nancy Drew: High Risk by Carolyn Keene

Just as with any other Nancy Drew Files,'High Risk' was able to capture my attention and keep me interested until the end. Nancy's boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, is accused of the murder of one his customers at the insurance company he works for. Ned Nickerson believed that Toby Foyle had filed a false injury claim to earn some money. As Ned tries out the truth, he gets caught up at the crime scene by the cops and is accused of murdering Toby. Nancy Drew tries to crack the case but keeps ending up at dead ends. With her life at High Risk, Nancy tries to save her boyfriend from going behind bars. Ishani P.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The story is about four girls growing up during a war stricken time (Civil War), of their hopes, their disappointments, of laughter and sorrow, of love and heartache, but most of all, of growing up and becoming 'Little Women'. Meg is th eldest, pretty and grown up, very sensible, and in love with the neighbor's grandson's tutor, most of the time known as John. Jo is the classic tomboy, foolhardly and impetuous, full of laughter and spirit, with an unquenchable temper. Then there's Beth, the gentlest of the four, with a sweetness and innocence that touches one's heart. Amy, the youngest, spoiled rotten but never mean hearted, is artistic and destined for riches. These four little women stick together through joy and sorrow, pain and anguish, and come through to bring true meaning to the word 'sisters'.

It was a a nice story. Nice and only nice. The author doesn't seem to know what the word excitement means. It was touching, I suppose, in a cheesy sort of way. There is nothing about the book-at least the events-that just jumps out and grabs you. However, the characters are what made the book so memerable. Years from now, one will still remember the plucky Jo, shy Beth, artistic Amy, playful Laurie, and sensible Meg. Eileen Y.

Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot

In PRINCESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, Mia has just been crowned Princess of Genovia. Mia is getting exasperating letters from a secret admirer, and her mother has an unexpected announcement. Mia also gets one of her teachers fired and enrages her best friend, Lilly, to become angry with her. These are only some of the things that Mia gets herself involved in. I loved the fact that Mia thought that Michael, her best friend's brother, was her secret admirer; but, in reality, it was Kenny, her Biology lab partner. I also like the humorous mood Meg Cabot puts in this book. It makes you have a good laugh. Chessa H.

Kiss Me, Creep by Marian Woodruff

Joy Wilder can't stand Richie Brennan in the book , KISS ME, CREEP. She totally dislikes him. What really sets her off is when she and Richie are voted BEST COMPANIONS ON A DESERT ISLAND. Her friends scheme up an idea of setting them up on a desert island. While abandoned, they start talking like friends. They soon find out they both have liked each other from the beginning. The part that grabbed me most was how Joy and Richie liked each other from the start and they never told one another. The mood of the book was comical, but it also had its serious points. I also enjoyed reading about the development of Richie's and Joy's relationship through their characters. Chessa H.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Ten strangers are invited to Indian Island. The ten guests think they have been invited to enjoy a wonderful vacation. To their dismay, they have all been invited to be punished for their past crimes. One by one the ten guests are killed the way the poem "The Ten Little Indians" specifies. The part that grabbed me the most was how the murderer fooled the other guests. The mood of the book was very suspenseful. The characters were fully developed. In particular, Vera Claythorne was the one character that the murderer depended upon to be developed. Chessa H.

Nothing But the Truth by Avi

Philip Malloy was kept from joining the track team by his failing grades in English class. He thought his teacher just didn't like him. He never thought it would get worse by humming the national anthem in class. And it ends up as a crisis at the center of the nation's attention. I think if you like freedom of speech you would love NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. But even if you don't care about freedom of speech, you'd love this book. Katlinn O.

Lisa by Arlene Hale

In the book LISA, Brad and Lisa were the most popular couple in school. But Lisa soon got upsetting news that her parents are going to Paris for the summer, and that Lisa will be spending the summer with her grandparents in Reynolds, Iowa. Lisa hates Iowa and thinks she hates Charlie, "the country boy". But Lisa realizes that Charlie is caring and strong, and they soon fall in love. Lisa has to decide whether to go back to her old life or to stay in Iowa. The part that grabbed me the most was how Lisa grew to like Charlie, even though Charlie has always liked her. The mood of the book was funny at times and serious at others. Chessa H.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, written by Harper Lee, is told through the eyes of a tomboy named Scout. Scout witnesses how her community reacts to descrimination in her town and a black man accused of rape. This book is inspiring to people of all ages. The part that grabbed me the most was how Scout's father defended the black man and is also the only one who really believes he is innocent. The book's mood was serious. I also enjoyed reading about the development of Scout. In the beginning of the book, she was a young and rambunctious kid and by the end of the book she was a young, mature kid. Chessa H.

Chasing the King by Joshua Stein

Fourteen-year-old Jason "Skids" Skidder has everything going his way. He is accepted to a club soccer team, and his best friend is his teammate. Then, his parents tell him that they are moving to Brazil. Jason feels uncertain about many things, until a week before the move, when he meets Mariana. Over the next few years, he has to adjust to the Brazilian customs.

This book has to be one of the best sports books I have read. One of the strong points of CHASING THE KING is its mood, which rollercoasters from up, when he makes friends or wins in a soccer or futebol game, to down, when he struggles about his move to Brazil. I am glad I decided to read CHASING THE KING. Bruce H.

Another Kind of Monday by William Coles

When Mark discovers money and a letter stuck between two pages of the novel, Great Expectations, his life is changed forever. The writer of the letter offers Mark the opportunity to embark on a quest for even more money. Before he can realize it, Mark is launched into this conquest for riches and is led on a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Pittsburgh. He is made to perform challenges including finding a partner of the opposite sex and researching the colorful history of Pittsburgh.

ANOTHER KIND OF MONDAY by William Coles is a thrilling and enlightening adventure. It is a wonderful look into the little known history of Pittsburgh while also being entertaining to readers. Tanya J.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede

Cimorene is very different. She's not your average sit-and-knit princess who learns the many ways to curtsy and accept gifts. No, Princess Cimorene likes to fence and cook and learn politics and learn magic. But, unfortunately for her, those things are just not done. To save herself from endless boring princess lessons, Cimorene decides to become a dragon's princess, and that's where the adventure begins.

DEALING WITH DRAGONS is a fun novel filled with quick wit and laughter, along with a pleasant attitude of practicality from the down-to-earth Princess Cimorene. Jennifer Wu

Knight's Wyrd by Debra Doyle and James D. MacDonald

When told by his father's wizard that his wyrd, his destiny, is to never inherit his father's barony nor any other title, Will Odosson is torn between being a coward and refusing his knighthood or being knighted and facing an almost certain death. But little does he know that bigger forces are playing upon his life.

KNIGHT'S WYRD is a thrilling adventure and fantasy novel that holds its readers on the edge of their seats.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

The third and final book of the series including SABRIEL and LIRAEL, ABHORSEN is an awesome novel which closes the storyline of King Touchstone, the Abhorsen Sabriel, and the Abhorsen-in-waiting Lirael. Lirael must find a way to defeat Orahnis, the Destroyer, before it sends her and all that she loves into death.

Garth Nix continues his long tradition of superb writing, making ABHORSEN as detailed as it can be. The book is exciting and hard to put down. Jennifer W.

Searching for Dragons by Patricia Wrede

The sequel to DEALING WITH DRAGONS and the second book in the Enchanted Forest Quartet, SEARCHING FOR DRAGONS is an amusing, witty novel. Princess Cimorene is back with new friends on a totally exciting new adventure. The society of wizards is up to something fishy, and it is up to Amorene and Mendanbar, king of the enchanted forest, to stop them. With jokes and spells and random happenings, this novel is just too exciting to put down. Jennifer W.

Prey by Michael Crichton

A military funded project has run amok and turned deadly. A killer "cloud" of nanoparticles was unintentionally released by a sabotaged laboratory into the Nevada desert. Programmed to be a predator, the deadly cloud stalks its prey - the group of programmers who created it. Moreover, the cloud was programmed to reproduce and produce offspring, as well as include a "genetic algorithm," and hour after hour, the swarms multiply and evolve exponentially to become more intelligent.

Schemes, intrigue, and distrust hover around the programmers as they struggle to outwit the swarms and preserve their lives. In this techno-thriller, Michael Crichton weaves an absorbing story with a message that cautions people to control a disturbing new technology that may be all-too-real in the near future. Andrew C.

Grail Prince by Nancy McKenzie

Knights in shining armor, bards singing tales of wondrous deeds, the beauty of fair maidens, and the evil deeds of sorceresses alike. This is King Arthur's time. GRAIL PRINCE is the story of Sir Galahad, noble son of Sir Lancelot and loyal knight to King Arthur.

If medieval times and magical happenings seem interesting and fascinating, GRAIL PRINCE is the book to read. Nancy McKenzie has done an awesome job putting together a tale as intricate as any to present this well-known hero. Jennifer W.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

One of the finest and most recognized books in American literature is Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, the story of two young southern children, Jem and Scout, brought up in a racist town. Their father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer. He defends Tom Robinson, an African American man accused of raping a white woman. Can Atticus still prove Tom innocent through the discrimination and prejudice of the town? TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is one of my favorite books because it is a wonderful, cherished, timeless classic of growing up. Angela M.

Time to Let Go by Lurlene McDaniel

Again, Lurlene McDaniel captures the hearts of her readers, writing yet another heartbreaking but also soothing book. In TIME TO LET GO, Erin Bennett is trying to cope with the loss of her sister from a year ago when she had a car accident. Now, she has been having these painful and mysterious headaches that seem to ocur spontaneously. Erin knows that her headaches had begun just after her sister's death, yet she thought she was over with grieving. Will talking to a therapist about these headaches help her at all? This enchanting tale of life and death immerses readers to ponder the chasm of the undiscovered. Audrey C.

The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer

Kate Bjorkman is writing a romance novel about herself, THE UNLIKELY ROMANCE OF KATE BJORKMAN. She tells the story of how she falls in love with her brother's best friend, Richard. Kate has been secretly in love with him all her life. Their romance began around Christmas time. Richard came along to visit when Kate's brother and his wife came for the holiday. Then the impossible happened. Richard and Kate fell in love. One thing lead to another, and Kate was trying to keep Richard away from her manipulative and gorgeous-looking friend, Ashley. The part that grabbed me most was how Kate and Richard fell in love. The book's mood was comical and interesting. Chessa H.

The Taking of Room 114 by Mel Glenn

Attending one of their last classes of the year, students from Mr. Wiedermeyer's senior history class are in for a shock. Held hostage by their gun-toting teacher, all of the students wonder if their lives are over. I liked how the poems from the kids tell the story. The whole entire book grabbed me. If you like scary and dangerous kinds of books, I would tell you to read this one. Katlinn O.

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

Brian is stuck in the wilderness after a devastating plane crash right after the plane's pilot is killed by a massive heart attack. The book starts in the fall, when Brian is reminded several times that winter is on its way. He tries to get ready, but what he isn't prepared for is two feet of snow. With only a hatchet, bow and arrows, and some clothes he made, how will he possibly survive the winter ahead?

I think the book is good. The book's mood is sometimes happy and sometimes sad. The story is very conflictive, both man vs. nature and man vs. self. The theme is survival in nature. This book interested me because I had read HATCHET, and I thought it was good, so I decided to read BRIAN'S WINTER. Bruce H.

Princess in Love by Meg Cabot

Being a 14-year-old girl is hard enough. But ruling a whole country is even harder. In PRINCESS IN LOVE, Mia Thermopolis is soon to be Princess of Genovia. The book tells about Mia's princess lessons with her grandma, her struggling Algebra grade, and her huge crush on Michael, her best friend's brother. The part that grabbed me most was the fact that Mia loved Michael all her life. She tried numerous ways to get him to notice her. But in the end, Michael had already liked her from the beginning. I also liked the development of Mia's character, how she went from being a dorky fourteen-year-old girl to Princess of Genovia. Chessa H.

More Than A Friend by Elizabeth Winfrey

Delia Byrne is on a mission to find her one true love before her best friend, Cain Parson, finds his one true love in More Than a Friend by Eizabeth Winfrey. They dare each other that they can each fall in love. Cain boasts about getting a girl is easy, but soon realizes that his one true love is Delia, his best friend. I felt that Cain and Delia's relationship really developed as they were both trying to fall in love with other people. The part of the book that grabbed me the most was that Cain and Delia were best friends for years and never realized that they were in fact in love. Chessa H.

The Illyrian Adventure by Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Alexander has done it again, writing yet another action-packed adventurous book! In a land of two repelling forces, Vesper Holly with only her guardian to help and protect her must uncover the old feudal history of Illyria. During Vesper's stay, she befriends both side's leader while she is stalked by someone else. Having a close shave with an assassin when she first arrives, Vesper embarks on her dangerous yet exciting quest to find the legendary treasure and the army of magical warriors. Audrey C.

Sphere by Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton brings forth yet another suspenseful thriller with the novel SPHERE. Set a thousand miles beneath the South Pacific, a group of experts are bewildered by a plethora of perplexing paradoxes. Having been sent to investigate an alien spacecraft, they are amazed with its titanic size, discover the craft to have controls in English writing, and find it to be over 300 years old and surprisingly undamaged from any fall into the ocean. Even more intriguing, deep within the confines of the craft, a perfect, metallic sphere marked with odd symbols - perhaps from an alien culture - is uncovered.

During the scientists' stay, drama and suspense mount after the sphere mysteriously opens up. The boundaries between reality and the imaginary blur as the characters are plunged into nightmare. Each has to confront his/her own deepest fear as the scientists become aware of the terrifying power they've unleashed that overwhelms and threatens to destroy them. Andrew C.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

When 5-year-old Bo and 12-year-old Prosper's parents died, their Aunt Esther decided that she would only take in the angel-faced Bo while Prospero would be dumped into an orphanage away from his little brother. Before she could do this, Prosper ran away with Bo to the beautiful city of Venice, described to them by their mother as a magical paradise. The cold reality of their predicament hits them as they are forced to fend for themselves. They are rescued by a band of young thieves, led by another child who called himself the Thief Lord, who help them find shelter and food, but eventually their aunt, furious of their escape, hires a detective to find them.

This fast-paced story describes the city of Venice through the eyes of the young thieves. Reading these children's adventures and escapes is full of so much suspense that it keeps the reader guessing until the last page. This book is a must-read to anyone who enjoys an exciting and amusing story. Tanya J.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

A WALK TO REMEMBER by Nicholas Sparks was truly a wonderful and moving book. The book was told from a man looking back at the time when he was seventeen. He tells about experiences of joyfulness and a heartrending romance with the minister's daughter, who changed his life forever. This book was one of the most awe-inspiring and unforgettable books I've ever read. I thought the mood of this book was passionate, yet it grabbed your attention and made you keep on reading. The writing style that Sparks used was peaceful and relaxing. The part that grabbed me the most was how Landon and Jamie fell in love. I say this to anyone who reads the book, that this book will truly touch your heart. Chessa H.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

This book tells about Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts. Harry and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, experience yet again the excitement of spells, Quidditch, and various magical creatures associated with the "non-muggle" world. This time, however, the atmosphere is thickened by the escape of an extremely dangerous person from the wizard prisoner, called Azkaban. Will the Ministry of Magic be successful in protecting Harry from this villain? Will Voldemort be prevented from gaining power? Overall the book is very well written and keeps the reader's attention from the beginning to the end. It brings many surprises and is quite differenct from the previous two books from the series. Whether you are a kid or an adult, I'm sure that you'll enjoy the adventure of Harry and his friends in dealing with the escaped prisoner. Karolina D.

The Pearls of Lutra by Brian Jacques

In the magical world of Redwall Abbey, the hogmaid, Tansy, has found the first clue to the seven most beautiful pearls, The Tears of the Oceans. While she, Rollo the Recorder, Craklyn the squirrelmaid, and the mousemaid strive to find the seven pearls so secretly hidden away by Fermal and with riddles as their only clues, Martin the Abbey Warrior and a band of heroic creatures are out on a quest to bring back the Abbot of Redall Abbey. For Ublaz, the pine marten emperor, also wants to get his hands on the pearls. With all this, you've got yourself a most fabulous tale of friendship, laughter, tears. E.Y.

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