Camp Fear by Carol Ellis

Eight new camp counselors, all about eighteen or nineteen years old, begin shaping up Camp Silverlake for the children arriving soon. Some of those counselors have been to Camp Silverlake before, years before, when something unspeakable occurred. Now, seven years later, someone is haunting those counselors at Camp Silverlake, turning each individual’s worst fears into reality.

Although this book was a bit predictable at times, overall it was a great, suspenseful, blood-rushing novel. Camp Fear by Carol Ellis will surely thrill any mystery lover! - Timmy W

The Stalker by Carol Ellis

Janna Richards was just one of the dancers in the play Grease, so she was thrilled when she had her own personal fan. But, that quickly changed when the so-called “fan” began stalking her- following her tour route, sending deadly messages, and even watching her through her motel window. After some near-fatal “accidents” occur, Janna calls the police, only to learn they can do almost nothing to help. Now, Janna must take matters into her own hands before the curtain closes on Janna’s life!

The Stalker started off a little shaky, but overall, it is an exciting mystery that I would recommend to mystery lovers everywhere! - Timmy W

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

Whale Talk is a sports fiction novel. However, it deals with other topics, such as modern day racism (a few characters in the story are racist), abuse, and how one accident can change someone’s life forever. The story is about The Tao Jones; everyone just calls him T.J. Jones (the J is from Jones). T.J. was adopted when he was very young because his biological mother was a drug addict and left him alone for hours at a time. Throughout his life he has faced racism and is tired of it. T.J. is very athletic, and in a school that values its athletic program, he is also criticized for not trying out for football, basketball, or any other sport. Then, he sees a kid being picked on for wearing his deceased brother’s Cutter High letter jacket. When T.J. is asked to put together a swim team, he decides to fill it with a group of kids who don’t really fit in with the other Cutter kids, including Chris Coughlin, the kid who was wearing his brother’s jacket. The book caught me because of the plot and a few other things. The main plot of the story is about how the swim team progresses throughout the season. Another thing that caught me in
Whale Talk is that it is a roller coaster ride of emotions. In a matter of pages, the story can go from normal to suspense to sad and back to normal, or it can go from normal to suspense to rage to suspense and back to normal. Another catchy thing in the book is the ending. IT is very unexpected and sad. All things considered, it was an okay read. - Bruce H

The Island of Dangerous Dreams by Joan Lowery Nixon

Andrea is forced to spend the summer with her creepy aunt when her parents decide they need some time alone. Then Andrea and her aunt are invited to an island to bid on an amazing art artifact. Everyone knows the object is stolen, but Andrea is the only one who seems to care. Then the artifact is stolen and someone is murdered. No one knows who will be next.

What I liked most about this book was that it wasn’t easy to figure out. Some mysteries I have read had plots that were easy to figure out and mysteries are never as good when you know the ending. In this book, there are many surprises that keep you guessing and wondering until the very end. - Natalie M.

The Window by Carol Ellis

After a sprained ankle keeps Jody from enjoying the slopes for the rest of her ski vacation, she decides to stay in her room in the cabin, without anything to do. A little spying into another cabin wouldn’t hurt. Especially when the cabin belongs to the lovely Leahna Calder, whom boys drool over while girls wish they were even half as pretty as she was.

Too bad someone feels different. Someone wants Leahna dead, but whom? It couldn’t be one of the other six staying at the cabin with Jody, could it? Each one had a motive, but only one’s reason for wanting Leahna dead was strong enough to actually kill.

And while that one person is fighting Leahna, leading to her death, Jody is watching. She sees everything…including the killer staring back at her.

The Window by Carol Ellis is full of suspense and will keep mystery-lovers on their toes all the way till the end! - Timmy W.

Poison by Chris Wooding

This book is about the travels of young Poison who lives in the Black Marshes. The scarecrow takes her baby sister and a changeling is put in place of her. So Poison starts her journey along with Bram to ask the Phaerie Lord for her sister back. She faces many dangers including a witch that eats bones and a giant spider queen. Poison has to find out who she really is and her innocent quest to find her sister has become a life threatening adventure.

This book was great! I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. The end keeps you wondering about what will happen next in Poison’s life. - Saniya S

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

Digital Fortress is a Dan Brown masterpiece. It is a mystery/suspense/action novel in which an NSA (National Security Agency) cryptographer (one who studies and deciphers codes) Susan Fletcher and her fiancé David Becker, who works for a university, are caught up in a huge twisting scandal threatening to destroy U.S. intelligence. It is a captivating twist of events, with enough evidence to support that one person is the criminal, then abruptly giving you the evidence to support that the person is innocent and someone else is threatening American intelligence. The story is set in two countries, with two story lines interconnected completely. The part that grabbed me was the suspense, the constantly twisting power struggle, and several occasions in which believing or rejecting theories could have been the difference between life and death. Also, David is constantly dodging bullets, both figuratively and literally. I enjoyed learning about a few types of codes including one used by Julius Caesar. The characters in Digital Fortress were developed at different rates, sometimes giving false hints, forcing the readers to make their own guesses about what a character will do, and then, later, they find out something different, and the plot line could change completely. The mood of the book is both slow and steady, with not a dangerous feel, just a search for an item or a search for clues at times and other times, the mood is suspenseful, mysterious, and fast passed and there is a lot of danger or the need for quick thinking and decision-making. Overall, Digital Fortress is a good novel and is worth reading; it has a good plot, a suspenseful feel as you anxiously read toward the next shocking twist, and the danger that lurks around every corner. I give this book a 5-star rating. - Bruce H.

She Said Yes by Misty Bernall

On April 20, 1999, Cassie Bernall was asked a question ‘Do you believe in God’ by two students with guns. She was shot for answering yes. Although without the help of her parents, Cassie would have been down the same troubled path as her killers. This is the sad story of Cassie Bernall’s short, but inspiring life.

This story makes you think about what you really believe. In the same life or death situation would you still have stuck up for your beliefs like Cassie did? This story also made me appreciate parents more because I learned no matter what, they’re going to love you and help you through any problems you have. This touching tale gives you many new outlooks on life. - Natalie M

Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen

This book report is about Soldier’s Heart. If you like books on wars, this is a book for you. This story takes place during the Civil War. There was a boy who had lived in the Civil War Era, and his name was Charley Goddard. He was a fifteen year old boy who lived in Minnesota and enlisted in the army. Charley went to battles and made a new friend. He learned that war isn’t a great adventure and lots of fun but, that lot’s of people die and get injured during wars.

Read this story by Gary Paulsen about a boy who went to war and came back a changed man. - Ronak P

Samurai Girl: The Book of The Sword by Carrie Asai

The lone survivor of a terrible plane crash in Japan, thought she was lucky when taken in by a wealthy rich Japanese family; how very wrong she was. Now on her wedding day in Los Angeles she is attacked by a ninja; loses the person she loved the most, her brother; and learns that everything about her family is a lie. Someone is out to get her and she must find out who. She must now forget the past. The old Heaven Kogo is gone; now she is the Samurai Girl.

I found this book interesting. A pampered princess has to become a samurai warrior. Throughout the book there is a secret that kept me reading. All the characters are keeping something from Heaven. - Saniya S

The Lovely Bones by Alice Segold

At the beginning of the novel, Susie Salmon is murdered by a strange neighbor, Mr. Harvey, who killed her in the cornfield behind her house. Susie is in heaven as she watches her family deal with her murder throughout their life. Her dad gets a suspicion that Mr. Harvey murdered her, but the police don’t help much since he is just “assuming”. One afternoon, Susie’s sister Lindsey, broke into Mr. Harvey’s house. She found some evidence to prove Mr. Harvey’s guilt. But before they could capture Mr. Harvey, he fled. As this was going on, Mrs. Salmon left the family and moved across the country. Many years passed with Susie gone. She would watch her family as they changed.

Altogether I didn’t like this book because it was too depressing and sad to read. Nothing good or hopeful aspired in the entire book. -- Hannah K

The Other Side of Dark by Joan Lowery Nixon

When Stacy McAdams wakes up after a 4 year coma she doesn’t realize her mother is dead until her father tells her. At first all she sees is a blurry, distorted image of the killer. Then when Stacy and her friends go to a party the blurry image becomes a face, the face of …

Well you’ll just have to read the rest yourself. I loved this book. It is definitely a plus if you like mysteries. This author, Joan Lowery Nixon, paints a very vivid picture in your mind. This book definitely grabbed me. I don’t exactly know why though. The end of this book has a secret revealed. You should definitely read this. You’ll love it! – Tracie C.

The Bridesmaid by Hailey Abbott

This is the story of 2 girls who as young children made a sacred pact – never to turn into a bridezilla. But when Carol comes home and drops the bomb that she and a boy (Tucker Robb) were getting married Abby was mortified. This is the story of a bride, 2 parents (who are almost thrown apart), Noah Abby’s crush Christopher, and Delia (Abby’s best friends and enemies) A trip to Italy, a phone call, dress shopping, and soccer, oh and a groom. Read the story and you’ll see what I mean, it’s a wonderful Romantic comedy anyone will love. – Melissa L.

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

This book report is about Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. If you like the Harry Potter series like I do or action and adventure books this is a book for you. In the world of muggles and wizards there is a boy named Harry Potter. He lives with his evil aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon and their greedy son Dudley. Harry goes back to Hogwarts, for his third year with the help of his friends. He finds out that there is an evil wizard that has escaped Azkaban Prison and people are worried he will go to Hogwarts. They believe he killed thirteen people at one time. Harry is not safe in Hogwarts because the prisoner is after him. Read this book to find out what Harry learns about this prisoner and what he really did. – Ronak P.

The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer

This book is the story of Dave; a child who is freed and put into a foster home. Trying to find the love of a family that he never had at his true home, he went to five home s and a place called the hill. He also almost gets put into a mental institute. But of all sadness when Dave leaves his mom creates a new victim, his brother Russel. His father drinks so much he could die. By the end of the book David has been in one person’s home for a long time and I don’t want to ruin the rest. – Melissa L.

Inuyasha: Volume 8 by Rumiko Takahashi

In this volume, Kikiyou has just been resurrected. She is looking at life as she did before she died. Inuyasha, Miroku, Kagome, and Shippo are fighting demons as usual to get the shards of the Shikon Jewel: Kikiyou also visits her sister Kaede, who tells her to go back. She finds Inuyasha and he still loves her. Kikiyou sticks Kagame to the tree. She watches Inu-yasha talk to Kikiyou about how much he missed her. Kagime who thought Inuyasha loved her, is mad and confused. She also know the truth. Is Kikiyou going to have Inuyasha and take him with her? Or will Kagome’s love unbind Inuyasha’s love? – Nilma M.

Inuyasha: Volume 2 by Rumiko Takashi

In the second volume of Inuyasha, a new character comes. His name is Lord Sessho-maru. He is Inu-yasha’s half-brother, older and full demon. Inuyasha, who’s a half demon, half human will have to face him. They both have hated each other since they’ve know each other. Sesso-maru’s not only come to kill Inu-yasha, but to get a treasure, that their father left behind. Who will defeat each other? Will Inuyasha or Sesso-maru get the treasure? What will happen to Kagome? – Nilma M.

Inuyasha: A Fuedal Fairytale by Rumiko Takahashi

Inuyasha, a half demon, who struggles to find the Shikon Jewel, stuck with his past, and faces his present.

Kagame Higurashi, a schoolgirl in modern day Tokyo, Japan doesn’t believe in legends and myths until one day. Her grandfather gives her the jewel of four souls or the Shikon Jewel. Then a hideous monster put her out to their well and into a whole new world. There she sees a familiar tree, the one in her backyard, only with a boy stuck to it by an arrow. Villagers surround her and take her to the old priestess Kaede. She learns about the Shikon Jewel and its powers. She also learns she is the reincarnation of Kaede’s dead sister, a priestess named Kikiyo. She awakes Inuyasha, and then Kagome accidently shatters the Shikon Jewel into many pieces. Will Inuyasha and Kagome find all the pieces together and return the jewel? – Nilma M.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer, is a dark and tantalizing tale about a teenage girl, and her vampire lover, and of the challenges they face about their differences.

Isabella (Bella) Swan is a normal teenage girl. Her parents are divorced, and his year, she decides to live with her father in the gloomy town of Forks, Washington. Everything seems absolutely normal, boring, and plain. Then, when she arrives at her school, Forks High School, her life takes a wild and terrifying turn. Bella meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, and she falls head over heels in love with him. Edward, in turn, also falls hard for Bella. Of course, there is a catch. Edward Cullen is a vampire. Edward must do everything he can to keep Bella safe, for as he says, anything within a ten-mile radius of her is considered dangerous. Then, all of a sudden, a certain danger appears in Forks, and now, Edward and Bella must protect each other with their lives.

Twilight is a wonderful book for teens of all ages. It had a very dark, and gothic mood to it. Bella was a pessimistic girl, who had nothing positive to say about anything, then, when she met Edward, her whole life changed. Her personality was lighter, and she was happier. Stephanie Meyer has weaved a thrilling and tantalizing story of love, and the sacrifices you must make for it. – Olivia R.

The Great Tree of Avalon: Child of the Dark Prophecy by T. A. Barron

This book is about the mysterious world of Avalon and the travels of Tamwyn, Merlin’s true heir, who has to find out who –or what he really is. At the age of 10 he is separated from his adopted brother, Scree, that is part eagle and part human. Tamwyn keeps having this strange vision of and old man giving a staff to his brother. On his quest to be reunited with his brother and to find out why the stars are going out one by one, he bumps into, or should I say falls on top of Elli and her maryth, Nuic, and Lynia and her maryth, Fairlyn, along with a hoolah, Hemmi. Together they journey to find the mysterious, Lady of the Lake, Merlin’s staff, and if possible even Merlin himself.

I loved this book. The story’s filled with adventure with a plot line that moves swiftly along. All the characters are interesting and come with their own secrets. – Olivia R.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Meet Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel. Six perfectly normal kids, except for one little thing. They are ninety eight percent human, two percent bird. Before they were born, they had bird DNA grafter into them. At birth, they were taken to a lab called ‘the School’, and were used for a series of horrifying and painful experiments. They escaped from the lab, and were living free, until the wolf-like mutants called the Erasers fund their home. The Erasers kidnap Angel, sending the other five on a wild chase to get her back. They then find out that there is an institute in New York that is information on their parents, where they live, and thousands of other mutant children experiments. Think they can save them? Hop on for the ride. The Maximum Ride.

James Patterson has written a page turner full of suspense, mystery, and non-stop action. Filled with witty humor, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is a book that you won’t be able to put down. – Olivia R.

East by Edith Pattou

The moment Ebba Rose was born, her family knew she would be different, from her purple eyes, to the fact that she had been born facing the north. As her mother says, babies born facing north will be adventurous and troublesome. One day, Rose’s sister Sara falls ill, and her parents become extremely worried. Then, out of the blue, comes a white bear. He claims he can heal Sara, and also help the family in their poverty, as long as he can have Rose in exchange. Rose’s mother, following her superstitious ways, agrees to it. Her father is against it. Of course, Rose decides for herself that she must go. The bear takes Rose to a beautiful castle in France, where she lives our her days, sewing, and learning to play music, but at night a stranger she cannot see sleeps in her bed beside her, and she has a strong suspicion that he is in fact, the white bear. One night, Rose lights a candle, and sees that is a man with golden hair, but hot tallow drips onto him, and he is awakened, and with a few rods of pain and sorrow explaining his curse, he is whisked away by a beautiful woman in a chariot. Now Rose must find him and save him from his fate.

Edith Pattou has written a beautiful Norwegian rendition of Beauty and the Beast. It takes place in sixteenth century Europe, and has the air of mystery and magic. East is a wonderful tale of a girl who defied all odds to save the one she loved. – Olivia R.

Dark Fusion: Duckling Ugly by Neal Shusterman

Let’s face it. Cara DeFido is the ugliest girl, no, person, in Flock’s Rest. She’s so ugly, her face can break mirrors. Literally. Her life was miserable, until one day, she receives a mysterious letter. There’s no name. Just a return address. The letter has three words: Find the answers. Cara is curious, so for weeks, she tries to figure out what the letter means by find the answers. The cutest boy in school then throws a bomb by asking her to the homecoming dance. It ends horribly, with him throwing up in the punch bowl. Cara runs away, and finds the place the letter came from. The place is called De Leon. It’s a beautiful valley, where everything ugly is given a chance to become beautiful. That is exactly what happens to Cara. But now, Cara has a serious taste for revenge, revenge against the people who made her life miserable.

Neal Shusterman has written a darkly humorous book, a mix of ‘The Ugly Ducking’, and the fabled tale of the Fountain of Youth. Its a dark humor and horror is sure to give readers a chill. – Olivia R.

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

On a normal morning in February, fifteen-year-old Bobby Phillips wakes up and realizes he is invisible. With his “Joe Physics” of a father, and his blind friend, Alicia, Bobby tries to figure out how to go back to normal. When his parents are injured in a car accident, Bobby tries to survive normal life with his “disability”, and avoid his nosy neighbor. After missing three weeks of school, the State Department of Children and Family Services gets involved. If the Phillips family can’t prove that Bobby is alive and well, Bobby’s parents could get sent to jail. Will Bobby be able to save his family in time?

Things Not Seen is a suspenseful story about being accepted by friends, even if you are invisible or blind. I liked how Alicia and Bobby from their disabilities, and how Bobby’s parents were willing to go to jail to protect him. Andrew Clements is really able to make you feel like you are in Bobby’s place. Things Not Seen is a magnificent book, and tells an imaginative tale. – Ellen P.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

In 1947, John Steinbeck wrote “The Pearl.” It is a tale of wealth and the power it holds over its weak-hearted pursuers.

Kino, the mina character, finds a great pearl. Quickly the word gets out. Sadly, Kino realizes that no one cares about his welfare and that all the others want is his pearl. Finally, someone sneaks into Kino’s house to steal the pearl. Kino kills the intruder. Realizing his wrongdoing Kino flees. On the run for several days, Kino makes the decision to kill the trackers. In the confusion, a shot is fired and Kino’s son is hut! John Steinbeck in the course of the story shows how the alleged answer ends up being the greatest problem.

Steinbeck’s unique style of writing supplies the reader with detail but at the same time gets straight to the point. His characters respond well with the plot’s surroundings and situations. Because of its well-written plot, the underlining meanings, and his unique writing style, I highly recommend reading “The Pearl.” – Mary C.

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

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” was written by J. K. Rowling and tells the story of the strange happenings that occur at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry Potter, the main character, risks death to find out who is making these strange events occur.
Because her sentences are descriptive and exciting, Rowling’s in an enjoyable author. The following passage shows how this is true:

“The enormous serpent, bright, poisonous green, thick as an oak trunk, had raised itself high in the air and its great blunt head was weaving drunkenly between the pillars.”

This book is an adventurous book that contains two great morals: Always be brave when times are most frightening, and never loose hope when things seem hopeless. It is a great read. – Magdalene C.