Book Reviews

Zach’s Lie by Roland Smith

Jack Osborne is a pretty average kid — until the night that changes his life forever.  The night men in masks break into his house, threaten Jack and his family, and ransack their home.  The same night, Jack discovers that his father has been arrested for drug trafficking — the reason these men have come into their lives.

Jack, his mother, and his sister are forced to enter the Witness Security Program, which means that their identities up to that moment will be completely wiped out.  Jack becomes “Zach” and moves to Elko, Nevada, a town in the middle of nowhere.  There, he enrolls in a new school where he meets Sam, the strangest custodian he has ever encountered, and Catalin, a girl who might make Zach’s uprooting worth the trouble.  But just as Zach finally begins to put the pieces of his life back together, he finds himmself in danger again — and this time his actions could determine the fates of everyone he care about most.

Staff Review

This is a really good book.  It is a quick read, full of action and suspense.  I think that boys about 10 and up would really enjoy it.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse — Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with his friends — one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena — Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Amazon.com Review

This series of books is awesome. It’s like the Harry Potter series for today’s kids. But don’t let that discourage you; I read these books and I’m 18. Anyone with ANY interest in mythology SHOULD READ THIS BOOK SERIES. It’s an interesting twist on the idea that the Greek gods still exist today and there is a new danger that threatens them and the whole world. I don’t want to give the story away but it is so well written and such an interesting story that you have to read it for yourself. YOU HAVE TO!!!

 

 

Tangerine By Edward Bloor

Though legally blind, Paul Fisher can see what others cannot. He can see that his parents’ constant praise of his brother, Erik, the football star, is to cover up something that is terribly wrong. But no one listens to Paul–until his family moves to Tangerine. In this Florida town, weird is normal: Lightning strikes at the same time every day, a sinkhole swallows a local school, and Paul the geek finds himself adopted into the toughest group around: the soccer team at his middle school.
    
Maybe this new start in Tangerine will help Paul finally see the truth about his past–and will give him the courage to face up to his terrifying older brother.
Review Anonymous Patron
This book made me want to keep reading. It was very good. I love Tangerine.
Amazon.com Review
So what if he’s legally blind? Even with his bottle-thick, bug-eyed glasses, Paul Fisher can see better than most people. He can see the lies his parents and brother live out, day after day. No one ever listens to Paul, though–until the family moves to Tangerine. In Tangerine, even a blind, geeky, alien freak can become cool. Who knows? Paul might even become a hero! Edward Bloor’s debut novel sparkles with wit, authenticity, unexpected plot twists, and heart. The writing is so fine, the story so triumphant, that you just might stand up and shout when you get to the end. Hooray!
Emily’s Runaway Imagination   By Beverly Cleary

Can imaginative Emily make her biggest dream come true?

Spunky Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon’at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a luxury few small towns can afford. Her runaway imagination leads her to bleach a horse, hold a very scary sleepover, and feed the hogs an unusual treat. But can she use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork?

Adventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn’t Emily bleach Dad’s old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? “Written with Cleary’s customary warmth and humor…The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life.”-BooklistAdventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn’t Emily bleach Dad’s old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? “Written with Cleary’s customary warmth and humor…The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life.”-Booklist

Staff Review
Emily’s Runaway Imagination is a funny story that young girls would enjoy.  Emily tries to be good and do the right thing but things don’t always go the way she hopes, and when things go wrong it usually ends up having a funny outcome. This book is full of laughs and another great story by Beverly Cleary.