Youth Services Librarian, Chrissy Braun recommends:

Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Informative of both the Manhattan project itself and the KGB efforts to steal it's secrets, this book is well done. I enjoyed the more personal descriptions of the scientists and spies involved instead of sticking to the facts.Oppenheimer and Hill especially seemed very interesting indeed. I learned so much and the interesting little factoids kept me moving right along. (Oppenheimer forgetting his date, the bomb plans in the tissue box, and Feynman played bongos.)

Click here to find a copy of this book in our library catalog.

Book Bites Reviews

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review by Katelyn
Beatrice grew up in Abnegation (selfless) faction, but she doesn't feel selfless. At the choosing ceremony, she chooses Dauntless (brave). After this, she is known as Tris, and pretty much becomes a different person. She comes out first of he initiation class and then there is a war between the Abnegation and Erudite factions. My favorite character is Will because he is really funny and smart and I like how he is dating Christina but they always fought before.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Review by Melody
A house of four people soon becomes on, a baby. This book is about a baby who survives with a bunch of ghosts, and can't see his dead family. I loved this book because I hate creepy stuff and actually like this wonderful book.

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Review by B-Liz
The Templar's save the world from the tenth plague. There is a love triangle. There is also a psychic. My favorite character is Michael because he was undercover. I loved this book because it was action packed and a new twist on every page.

Other Titles Discussed:
Fire and Ash by Jonathan Maberry

Book Bites Reviews

The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key
Review by Destiny
A boy named Little Jon falls through a door to another world and a family finds him. My favorite character is Jon because he is so smart. I loved this book.

Middle School: Get Me Out of Here by James Patterson
Review by B-liz
Rafe has to get used to his new school after he moves. He met his first friend and broke up with him. My favorite character is Leo the Silent because he is imaginary. I loved this book because it is funny.

Other Titles Discussed:
Through The Zombie Glass by Gena Show
alter

Book Bites Reviews

The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey
Review by Hannah
Dr. Warthrop and Will Henry go to an island to find the greatest monster of all time. Dr. Warthrop leaves Will Henry behind before they go together so there is a large conflict in Will Henry's mind. There is a rivalry between the British, Russians, and Americans to find the monster first.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman
Review by Destiny
A monkey is missing. Savanna Drysdale goes to a floating zoo with her class and
sees a monkey that she swears is hers. So Griffin Bing, the "Man With The Plan: comes up with a plan: Zoobreak Operation. My favorite character is Savannah Drysdale because she is like me and owns rabbits, dogs, cats, lizards, a loon and a whole bunch of other animals. And she doesn't have brothers. I loved this book because it has a lot of fun action and a zoobreak, and Griffin comes up with good plans. Some involve breaking in the zoo and keeping Ben from going to a sleep academy. The characters always play a special part in the book and Griffin's dad always has cool inventions that take place in the weirdest places in the book. I also love this book because Daran Vader (a bad kid) makes up the stupidest excuses and has a dream he goes to court for not stealing animals and sending people on a wild goose chase. And I like when the gang has meeting in the Broken Bell Room which is a place where the gym teacher keeps all the balls that are ripped that he thinks he could fix one day which is silly.

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Review by Katelyn
Harry Potter lived with his muggle aunt and uncle and for 11 years he didn't know he was a wizard. He meets Hagrid, Ron and Hermione and he is friends with his roommates. He becomes the seeker for the Quidditch team and was sorted into Gryffindor. He has an enemy named Malfoy and his professor, Severus Snape hates him, (a lot). They also have a really good headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. My favorite character is Ron Weasley because he is super duper funny and is really interesting.

A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer
Review by Liz
This book is about a child who has to overcome obstacles. My favorite character is Dave because he is the only person in the book. I liked this book because it is a story of triumph.


Other Titles Discussed:
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Paper Towns by John Green

Book Bites Book Reviews

Call Of The Wild by Jack London

Review by Paige

A dog named Buck who is now a sled dog and is called to the wild. My favorite character is Buck because he is the main character and is intelligent. I liked this book because it was very adventurous.

Maximum Ride, The Graphic Novel by James Patterson

Review by B-liz

Angel gets kidnapped and they try to save her. My favorite character is Fang because in my imagination he is hot! I loved this book because it is the best book every, but I hated the graphic novel because they got Fang's hair all wrong.

War Of The Worlds by H.G. Wells

Review by Tori

The Martians come to London planning to eliminate the human race. I do not have a favorite character because the book is more about the story than the characters. I liked this book because it shows how the human race is so infinitely small in the vast scheme of the world.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

Review by Paige

A dog, who's name is Old Yeller, saves a family more than once. At first Travis tries to find ways to get rid of Old Yeller, but when Old Yeller saves their lives he changes his mind. My favorite character is Old Yeller because he is a hero and an amazing dog who is trustworthy. I liked this book because ti was detailed and well written and is an amazing book. 

Vesper by Jeff Sampson, and Havoc by Jeff Sampson

Review by Katelyn

Emily is an anti-social person and one night she took on a different personality. She was cool and popular at night, but during the day she was back to normal. Emily tries to figure out what is wrong. My favorite character is Spencer because he is smart and funny and his nighttime personality is really focused. He isn't like Emily and Dalton when they act crazy. I loved this book because it has lots of suspenseful parts in it. 

Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Review by Katelyn

Alex was sent to a boarding school in Europe. He and his friends are nobodies. Then Alex sees his teacher and finds out he is a vampire slayer and so is the teacher. My favorite character is Minni because she is really cool. She is a really good fighter till she is taken away by the Icemaker. I liked this book because it is a good story and is funny.

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Review by Hannah

This book is the journal of a 12 year old boy named Will Henry. He is an assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a Monstrumologist. A Monstrumologist is someone who studies and captures monsters. Will Henry, a graverobber, and the doctor go to a graveyard and find a large group of Anthrophagi, a monster breed. Afterwards, to find out how and why the monsters migrated to America, Will Henry and the doctor got to see Captain Varner in a home for insane people. 

Also Discussed:

Tempted, Untamed,  by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Bleach by Tite Kubo

Book Bites Fall 2013

These book reviews were written by teens and tweens attending Book Bites, an informal weekly book chat.

The Stranger by Albert Camus
Review by Tori
Monsieur Mersault's mother just died. Because his "I don't really care" nature he gets caught up with he wrong people. I do not like any of the characters in this book because I've never read a book like this. I liked this book because the main character has a different perspective.

Viva Jacquelina by L.A. Meyer
Review by Paige
A girl named Jacky Faber goes to Spain to gather information against Napoleon for the British. My favorite character is Jacky because she is the main character and the book is based on her life. I liked this book because it was adventurous.

I Am Number Four by Pitticus Lore
Review by Katelyn
An alien from the planet Lorien is hiding from the Mogadorians. He goes to Paradise Ohio, falls in love, gets a best friend and a dog. He doesn't want to leave and he gets his "legacies" or powers. My favorite characters are Sam, John, Number Six, and Sarah. Sam and John are very funny and I like Number Six's Powers and how she is brave and I like John and Sarah's relationship. I loved this book because it had humor, romance and I like how they get powers. And it has action and aliens in it too.

Anyone But Me by Nancy Krulik
Review by Melody
This is this girl who changes into different mammals. My favorite character is the class hamster because it is really funny. I liked this book because it was interesting.

The Call Of The Wild by Jack London
Review by Tori
Buck is a dog who goes to the Arctic, finding adventures with every turn. My favorite character is Buck because he is an interesting character. I loved this book because the theme was great and the narrator (I read the audiobook) was great too.

Awake At Dawn by C.C. Hunter
Review by Paige
A girl named Kylie is trying to figure out what she is. She gains some powers, but still doesn't know what she is.  My favorite character is Kylie. Though she is whiny sometimes, she is overall an amazing character. I liked this book because it is about supernaturals.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Review by Tori
Aliens invade Earth. The main character is strong. I like that. (I've been reading a lot of books with wimpy main characters. I loved this book because the characters are strong.

Peter And The Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Review by Hannah
Peter and other orphans are sent on a ship to a king with dust in a trunk. My favorite character is Molly Astor. She can easily manipulate people without seeming like she is trying to. She can use the dust for good and doesn't fall to the power of the dust. I liked this book because it is a longer, un-Disney-ed version of Peter Pan and there are multiple books.

Peachville High Demons by Sarra Cannon
Review by Katelyn
Harper just moved to Peachville and she notices that all the women have power in that town. She digs down a little deeper and finds out she is a witch. My favorite character is Jackson because he is a demon and he is really nice. He and Harper are in love and I like reading the parts he is in. I loved this book because it has action and romance and it has supernatural stuff in it.

Born At Midnight by C. C. Hunter
Review by Paige
A girl named Kylie goes to a camp for supernatural. My favorite character is Kylie because she doesn't know what she is. I loved this book because it is about supernaturals.

Smells Like Treasure by Suzanne Selfors
Review by Destiny
A boy named Henry has a dog whose only sense of smell is for treasure. My favorite character is the dog. I loved this book because I love dog books.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Review by Katelyn
Clary is a "Mundane" but she goes to a club and sees shadow hunters killing a demon. It turns out she is a shadow hunter too. and she goes through all these adventures to save her mom from Valentine. My favorite character is Jace because he makes super sarcastic comments that are really funny and he is really sweet too. And because of the love interest between him and Clary. I loved this book because it has humor and a love interest.

Book Bites Reviews

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Review by Tori
Tatty becomes a Pretty and afterwards, she falls in love with Zane. While there "bubbly" she and Zane find the pills that destroy the lesions in their brain. In their haste she and Zane spit the pills causing problems. I prefer the 1st book in this series. The best reason I can think of to read this book is because it's the next in the series.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Review by Tiffanie
Tyler finally gets his dream girl and she gets drunk at a party and then the next morning theirs naked pictures of her on the internet and she blames Tyler. The cops get involved and at the end it all works out. I like this book because I like crime things and romance and this book has both. You should read this book because Laurie Halse Anderson is a really good author!

The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Review by Paige
This book is about a doctor who's name is Dolittle and he gets a letter from Africa that the monkeys are sick. When he finds out the captain of the ship is bad, Dr. Dolittle kicks him off the ship. Dr. Dolittle sees this little boy locked up and Dr. Dolittle and his animals need to find the boy's uncle. I like this book because Dr. Dolittle knows all the animals languages and can talk to them. You should read this book because it is so adventurous.

The Sister's Grimm: Once Upon A Crime by Michael Buckley
Review by Hannah
The Grimm sisters return to New York city, to find Puck's family, but Oberon, the King of Fairie is poisoned by a traitor. They learn that their mother was involved in the lives of Everafters, which makes Sabrina angry, and scared. The sisters fin a secret that might lead to the heart of the evil organization - The Scarlet Hand.

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes
Review by Katelyn
Five nobody's get detention and they start to play music with little things around the room and their music teacher convinces them to form a band. They become popular and famous.

Other titles discussed:
The Boy On Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone
Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Skinny by Donna Cooner