Book Bites Reviews

The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances by Matthew Inman (Oatmeal)

Review by Tori

The author explains his reasons for running in a hilarious way. The main character is my favorite because he is the only one in the book. I liked this book because it was inspiring and funny.

Chi's Sweet Home by Kanata Konami

Review by Justine

Chi lost his mom and doesn't know where home is.

Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

Eric stays fat for Sarah. Sarah is my favorite character because she's got spunk. I loved this book because it had a happy ending.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

A guy gets smart from surgery. My favorite character is Algernon because you always root for the mouse. I disliked this book because it was too long.

I Am Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

Review by Paige

Flavia De Luce is on another adventures. Buckshaw is in debt, so they have this camera crew that will shoot a movie at Buckshaw. Phyllis is the main character, but she shows up dead. Flavia is my favorite character because she is curious and smart. I loved this book because it was mysterious and funny.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Review by Tori

Alina Starker has to find the Firebird, save Ravka from the Darkling and lead and army. My favorite character is Harshaw's cat because I love cats. I loved this book because it was very emotional.

Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Review by B-liz

A girl becomes a vampire. My favorite character is Jackal because he had a short part and is handsome. I loved this book because it was funny and fast paced.

D Gray Man by Katsura Hoshino

Review by Paige

Exorcists are hunting down Akuma, which are monsters who kill humans. The Millennium Earl controls Akuma. Exorcists kill Akuma. My favorite character sis Yu Kanda and Lenalee Lee because Yu Kanda is very serious. And Lenalee Lee is the comic relief, but serious and has the power of dark boots. I loved this book because it was entertaining and funny.

Other Titles Discussed

Your Very Own Robot Goes Cuckoo Bananas! by R.A. Montgomery

Confessions The Paris Mysteries by James Patterson

Book Bites Reviews

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Review by B-Liz
Alina has to fight the Darkling, save the world and be a boss. Can she do it? My favorite character is the Darkling because he is so misunderstood. I loved and hated this book because it was action packed and sad.

Alice and the Country of Hearts by Various Authors
Review by Paige
Alice falls down in this dark hole and finds this new world. This rabbit guy makes her drink this medicine to make  her stay in their world. My favorite character is Alice because she is a strong female character and funny. I loved this book because it was really good.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The second book in the Lunar Chronicles. The book is mainly on the perspective of an 18 year old girl, Scarlet who lives in a small town in France. When Scarlet's grandmother disappears her and Wolf's destiny's meet. My favorite part of the book is when it is finally revealed what Cinder is. I recommend this book to teenagers who like science fiction.

The Sweetness At The Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Review by Paige
Flavia de Luce lives in a big house with her two sisters and a father, but her mother died in a mountaineering accident. Flavia loves chemistry and hates her sisters. One day a dead bird had a postage stamp connected to it's beak on their doorstep and a dead man is found in the cucumber patch. Who is he? My favorite part in the book was when she made a concoction with poison ivy and added it to her sister's lipstick. I recommend this book to anyone. It is amazing.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'dell
Review by Paige
Karana notices that a ship has come to kill otters. They end up killing most of the tribe because the leader of the tribe disagreed with the men on the ship. Another ship comes and says that they will take them to another island but she is left behind. My favorite character is Karana because she is very brave and she uses her skills to survive in the wild. I liked this book because it was very adventurous.

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
Review by Tori
Jennifer Strange discovers that she is the last dragonslayer, but she believes after meeting Maltcassion, the last dragon, that he is noble creature and does not deserve to die. My favorite character is the Quarkbeast because he is very funny. I liked this book because it was entertaining.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Review by Justine
Percy went to a boarding school for reform students. He was going home with his best friend Grover when the bus broke down. Percy saw 3 women who are cutting strings. Grover and Percy got home. Grover got to their apartment with goat legs. His mom got all upset and a Minotaur was chasing them and crashed their car.

The Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley
Review by Paige
Flavia is trying to figure out why the Fortune Teller was brutally attacked and she is trying to find out who did it. Buckshaw is not doing well, her father doesn't have enough money to keep Buckshaw going. My favorite character is Flavia because she is very intelligent and loves chemistry. I loved this book because it was suspenseful and I loved the characters.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Review by Tori
A plane full of beauty queens crash lands on an island in the middle of nowhere and are forced to combine their talents and survive. My favorite character is Adina (Miss New Hampshire), and Taylor Renee Crystal Hawkins (Miss Texas) because they were very funny and crazy. I loved this book because the audiobook was amazing.

Cress by Marissa Meyer
Review by B-liz
Cinder has to stop the wedding of a lifetime. My favorite character is Wolf because he is a boss. I liked this book because it was action packed.

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
Review by Tori
When Jacob's mom and dad die in a car crash, everything begins to change. Jacob, after dropping out of vet school, runs off with the circus and falls in loved with the wife of the director of the menagerie and becomes friends with Walter and Queenie, his dog. My favorite characters are Walter, Queenie and Rosie because all these characters propel the story and make it interesting. I especially enjoyed the character Rosie, the elephant because she is so smart. I dislike August and Marlane. I liked this book because it was interesting and I especially enjoyed the perspective of the old man who lives at the nursing home (Jacob.)

Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Review by Paige
Melody can't move, talk or write anything. She is very intelligent, but she can't express herself and nobody knows that she is smart. She is going to enter a quiz team but everyone is against her. My favorite character is Melody because she is determined and intelligent; I admire that. I liked this book because it was definitely a page turner.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Review by Tori
Alina is captured by the Darkling and finds a way to escape with a pirate who turns out to be the younger prince of Ravka and Mal, her loyal and trustworthy friend. After finding the amplifier, becoming the leader of the second army, how will she change? My favorite character is Alina and Nikolai because she is a strong character and he is a pretty cool character. He is always entertaining. I loved this book because it was written well and the idea was interesting.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Review by Paige
A plane crash was full of beauty queens and they have to survive on this island. This book is about their adventure through being beauty queens on an island and how they change. My favorite character is Adina because she is smart and is a feminist. I loved this book because it was adventurous and interesting how they change on the island.

Other Titles Discussed
Seizure by Kathy Reichs
Siege by Kathy Reichs
Shatter Me by Tahere Mafi
The Tongue Cut Sparrow by M. J. York
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume.

Book Bites Reviews

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Review by Tori
An urban fantasy novel placed in London, where a normal guy nbamed Richard is dragged into another world, the under-London. My favorite character is the Hunter because she is mysterious and is a great fighter. I loved this book because it was intriguing (all of Neil Gaiman's books are), and original.

The Weed That Strings The Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
Review by Paige
Flavia DeLuce is trying to figure out how Robert Porsen died, or was murdered. Who murdered him? My favorite character is Flavia because she loves chemistry and is very intelligent. She is always curious. I loved this book because you were always on edge. It was definitely a page turner.

The Great Smelling Bee by R.L. Stine
Review by Syxx
My favorite character is Bernie Bridges because he is always trying to think of something quick so he won't get into trouble. I loved this book because this book is funny.

Also Discussed:
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling
The Blueberry Barf Off by R.L. Stine

Book Bites Reviews

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Review by Tori
In a country where women have no right and are treated like cattle, Offred lives in a world of ghosts and nightmares where she struggles through each day. Trying to find hope. I loved this book because the plot, story and overall writing is great. Can't put it down.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Review by Paige
Catniss Everdeen gets picked for the reaping and has to fight in the arena. My favorite character is Catniss because she is a strong character. I liked this book because it was very action packed.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review by Hannah
In a post-apocalyptic Chicago, a community is split into 5 different factions, Dauntless (brave), Amity (happy), Abnegation (selflessness), Erudite (curiosity/knowledge), and Candor (honesty). Each 16 year old must pick a faction to live in for the rest of their lives and Beatrice is Divergent, meaning she can fit into more than one faction. She ends up picking Dauntless and trying to stop a revolution that was begun by the Erudite.

Book Bites Reviews

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Lights, Camera...Cats by Carolyn Keene
Review by Justine
Nancy's dad is a lawyer, so Nancy and her two friends go to a casting studio. Mr. Drew's client is the director. My favorite part of the book was when Fluffington gets a bucket of blue paint on her. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Review by Hannah
The final and possibly most disappointing book of the Hunger Games trilogy includes the final wars - between both Katniss and herself, and the Capitol and the Rebels. Peeta's memories have been twisted while he was at the Capitol, and the majority of the book includes Katniss trying to help Peeta clear his mind and recall the true past. I loved/hated the book because the end of the book was both sad and disappointing, but I can see why Suzanne ended it this way - she had put the characters through so much already.

The Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer
Review by Paige
Jackie Faber goes to the Lawson Peabody School for girls after she was found out to be a girl on the Dolphin. She goes through many adventures at the school. My favorite character is Jackie Faber because she doesn't care what people think of her, though she isn't very sensible. I liked this book was very adventurous.

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman
Review by Liz
This book starts off with a girl getting into a car crash with her family. She then is put outside of her body, she seeds herself and travels with her body to different places where she is treated. **Spoiler** She doesn't know that all of her family in that car died yet. She thinks about the past and about Adam who is her boyfriend. They meet because of music, Adam being a small town rock star and Mia being a classical musician. Adam also has a band, Shooting Stars. My favorite part was when Mia and Adam went to a Yo Yo Ma concert.

Love Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur
Review by Emily
This book is about this 11 year old girl. Her dad and her sister get killed in a car accident. Her mom goes crazy and leaves her all alone so her grandmother takes care of her. My favorite part is when she moves to go live with her grandmother and she finds a friend next door. I recommend this book to my sister because she likes these kinds of books.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Review by Tori
A girl repeats her life over and over. My favorite character is the main character because she is consistent throughout the story. I liked this book because the writing was good.

Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
Review by Paige
Tohru-kun meets the zodiac members. When you hug them they turn into an animal. She soon becomes friends with all the Zodiac members. My favorite character is Saki Hanajima/Arisa Votani because they are great friends with Tohru Honda and they went through lots of trouble in their life and Tohru helped them. I loved this series because it is amazing and has change.

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick
Review by Hannah
San Lee's father gets into trouble and insists on a specific lawyer, so San's adoptive family has to sell the most of their belongings and moved from Texas to Pennsylvania. he pretends to be a Zen Master in an attempt to fit in at his school and make friends. My favorite character is Woody Emily because she plays guitar and she's just really cool with being friends with San even though he isn't exactly that nice to her. I liked this book because it was really interesting and fun to read.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Review by Tori
A boy genius discovers fairies underground and steals their gold. My favorite character is Holy because she is amazing. I liked this book because it is entertaining.

Stotan by Christ Crutcher
Review by B-liz
Walker has to get through life. My favorite part is when Max kicks O'Brien. If you like life you'll like this book.

Book Bites Reviews

Paper Towns by John Green
Review by Tori
Quentin Jacobwen is graduating when his high school crush, Margo Roth Spiegelman runs away. My favorite character is Ben because he's funny. I liked this book because I like how Green writes dialogue.

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa
Review by Paige
After her love, Zeke, was tortured to death Allison is trying to kill Sarran who is the person who killed Zeke. She is going to meet a surprise. My favorite character is Allison, Kanine, Jackal, and Zeke. Allison is a strong character, Kanine because he is always calm, Jackal because he's funny and Zeke because he's kind and selfless. I loved this book because it si action packed and an emotional roller coaster.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Review by B-liz
Tris has to overcome Janine. Tobias & Tris hit a rough patch. My favorite character is Tobias because he is strong, courageous and smart. I loved this book because it was full of action.

Book Bites Reviews

The List by Siobhan Vivian
Review by Hannah
At Mount Washington High School, every year a list is posted with the prettiest and ugliest girls of each grade on it. The story follows each of the eight girls as they try to figure out what they think about the list. My favorite character is Margo, the prettiest senior, because at the end of her part of the story, when she realizes her homecoming queen tiara is plastic instead of metal like she thought, she realized that outward beauty is like plastic instead of metal.I loved this book because it really makes you think about outer and inner beauty, how you present your self, popularity , and I loved the cliffhanger endings at the end of each of the girls' stories.

The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
Review by Katelyn
Alfred is a high school drop out who is afraid of not being someone, so he signs up to be a boxer. Meanwhile, his best friend is thrown in jail and is being hunted down by major, a man that Alfred got on his bad side. My favorite character is James because I thought he was stupid for going to steal from the store, but got arrested and now he is beat up. I disliked and hated this book because it is boring and not something I want to read twice.

Numbers by Rachel Ward
Review by Paige
Jem is a 15 yr. old girl who when she looks into someone's eyes she sees there death date. She falls in love with Spider. She goes to a fair and everyone has the same number. They leave and it blows up and now the police are chasing them. My favorite character is Jem because she is a strong character. I liked this book because it has an amazing plot.

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Review by Tori
This book is about a seven year old boy in a strange world. My favorite character is Lettie because she is strong. I loved this book because the writing was totally amazing.

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
Review by B-liz
A boy had to escape the Nazis. He survived 10 concentration camps. My favorite character is the boy because he is brave and strong. I loved this book because it makes my problems feel small.

Book Bites Reviews

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Review by Paige
Alison is searching for a rabid cure. She needs to find and save her sire because this guy is torturing him. My favorite character is Alison because she is a strong character and she's a vampire. I loved this book because it was sad and has supernaturals.

The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Review by Tori
Flavia de Luce, a young chemist solves a mysterious murder. My favorite character is Dogger because his character has a calming effect. I loved this book because I can identify with the character.

Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Review by Hannah
A boy named Jack gets "grounded for life" over summer vacation when he mows down their cornfields and accidentally fires his dad's firearm without permission. He starts helping an old woman write obituaries for the paper because she has arthritis. My favorite character is Miss Volker, the obituary writer because she's really funny and even though she's old, she acts fairly young. She also has a humorous attitude toward serious issues. When she wants things done they get done. I liked this book because I like the author's style of writing and I think the book is very funny.

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Review by Katelyn
Graham Larkin, a famous actor, accidentally e-mailed Ellie O'Neil asking her to walk Wilbur, his pig. Then they spark up an internet relationship without his knowing her name. (I hope they fall in love.) I don't have a favorite character yet. I like this book because so far it has humor and romance.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Review by Tori
Pride and Prejudice is a romance/drama set in 19th century England. My favorite character is Elizabeth because she is head strong. I liked this book because it was dramatic.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Review by Paige
Allison Sekamato lives in The Fringe where vampires rule. She is an unregistered and has to fend for herself and her crew. Ali goes past the wall where the rabids are. She ends up getting attacked by rabids and dies. She turns into a vampire. My favorite character is Allison because she is strong and realized how life was when her mother died. I loved thsi book because of the way Julie Kagawa made the vampires very unique.

Stuck on Earth by David Klass
Review by Katelyn
I have too many opinions on this book to describe them. I disliked this book.

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Review by Hannah
Jeffrey, Steven's little brother from "Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie," is a teenage boy in 8th grade and in remission. His brother Steven who he would normally ask for advice, has finally rebelled and gone to Africa. Jeffrey struggles through school, and worries about passing the state tests, while trying to help his friend Tad start to walk again. I loved this book because it takes a very good book to make me cry and the end of this one did.

Alice in the Country of Clover by Mamenosuke Fujimaru
Review by B-liz
Alice has to get used to a move. My favorite character is Boris because he is a cat. I liked this book because it is funny.

Book Bites Reviews

Alosha by Christopher Pike
Review by Paige
Ali is a normal 13 yr. old girl until she goes to the woods to stop the lumberjacks from cutting down trees, and she ends up running into trolls. She's earning powers!!! My favorite character is Farble because he is a troll who doesn't talk much. I like this book because it is supernatural.

Beastly by Alex Flinn
Review by Katelyn
Kyle's life is perfect and he was most likely going to be Homecoming King. Then one day a "weird ugly" girl is at school but no one knows who she is and he decides to play a trick on her and asks her to the dance. They decide to meet at the dance and then he brings someone else and she leaves. After the dance, she is in his room and it turns out she is a witch and then she turns him into a beast. He has to get a true loves kiss in two years in order to break the spell. My favorite character is Lindy. I loved this book.

Still Life by Louise Penny
Review by Tori
And artist is murdered. Who is the murderer? My favorite character is Clara because she is observant. I loved this book because I love the theme.

Bad Blood by Marianne Mancusi
Review by B-Liz
Sunny almost gets her boyfriend taken away. My favorite character is Rayne because she comes at the end and
kills the bad guy. I loved this book because it was action packed.

Girls That Growl by Marianne Mancusi
Review by B-Liz
Rayne has to join the cheerleading squad. My favorite character is Rayne because she is amazing. I loved this book.

Night School by Marianne Mancusi
Review by B-Liz
Sunny gets taken by fairies. My favorite character is

Rayne because she is a boss. I liked this book because it is funny.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Review by Tori
10 People are stuck on Indian Island and people are dying according to a nursery rhyme. I liked this book because it was mysterious.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Review by Paige
A boy who is hiding in the graveyard because a killer, Jack, is after him. My favorite character is Liza because she is a witch and is kind to Bod. I loved this book because it is about a boy growing up in a graveyard.

Flush by Carl Hiassen
Review by Hannah
Noah Underwood's dad sinks a casino boat in an attempt to stop the owner from dumping illegally, but he ends up in prison for a time. The Coral Queen, the boat, is back in business within days.


Other Titles Discussed
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

Book Bites Reviews

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Review by Tori
Eon is a girl pretending to be a boy. She struggles to become a dragon eye. My favorite character is Eon (real name Eona), because she is a strong character. I loved this book because it is very very nerve wracking.

Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
Review by B-liz
A town has to survive huge beasts. They also have to live under a king. My favorite character is Mikasa because she is better than everyone. I liked this book because there is lots of battles.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Review by Paige
A boy who was named Nobody Owens when he came to the graveyard. Jack killed his family and now his family are ghosts. When he meets a girl named Scarlet who can oddly see him, he takes her around the graveyard. My favorite character is Nobody Owens because the ghosts gave him permission to enter the graveyard so he can go through walls. I liked this book because the writing is good and it is mysterious.

Alice in the Country of Clover by Mamenosuke Fujimaru
Review by B-liz
Alice gets expelled from Hearts and has to adjust to the new life. My favorite character is Boris because he is funny and cute. I loved this book because they are entertaining and well written.

Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway
Review by Paige
A girl who is a peace corps person goes to West Africa to help the people. She is living with Monique, a person who handles childbirth. My favorite character is Monique because she has a strong character. I liked this book because it is about the life in West Africa.

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
Review by Destiny
Billy Miller falls off a two story balcony and is in the hospital. Then before 2nd grade, he thinks he is not smart enough. My favorite character is Sally.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Review by Tori
Harry discovers he is a wizard and goes off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My favorite character is Harry Potter because he's the main character. I loved this book because it was very enjoyable to read.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Review by Hannah
The world is under an attack from an advanced society of aliens. 16 year old Cassie Sullivan is one of Earth's last survivors, and the story follows her as she tries to eliminate the forces of those invading her planet. My favorite character is Cassie's brother Sam because Sam is very funny and adorable and he is also wise beyond his years. He is what keeps Cassie fighting when she feels like giving up.

Other Titles Discussed:
Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi
Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell
Maze Runner by James Dashner

Book Bites Reviews

These books were read and reviewed by the members of Book Bites, an informal book discussion group for grades 4-8. Call today to join us on Thursdays @ 4:30.

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
Review by Hannah
There is a 12 year old boy who was only given half of his name, in a kingdom where your name is your destiny. When he finds out he can spin gold, he trades it for food. However, whenever he trades, he can't tell what he will be given. The only thing he can ask before he makes a trade is, "What will you give me?" He has to accept whatever is offered. Then he mus travel through the kingdom and find his surviving relatives and find the rest of his name to unravel his curse.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Review by Tori
A beautiful romance between Kate and Heathcliff. I don't have a favorite character. I liked this book because it was entertaining.

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey
Review by Paige
Cassie is in the Fifth Wave. Aliens are taking over the world disguised as humans. Cassie's mom has died from a virus the aliens put out. Now she only has her little brother Same and her dad to survive the Fifth Wave. My favorite character is Cassie because in other books the girls are very weak but in this book she is strong. I liked this book because it was unique because the aliens were different.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review by B-liz
Beatrice has to choose a new faction to live in. My favorite character is Eric because he is cruel and mean and harsh. I loved this book because it is action packed.

Other Titles Discussed:
Virals by Kathy Reichs
Pure by Julianne Baggott

Instead of a book review, today I offer the best books of the year for teens, as chosen by the American Library Association. Each year a committee of librarians is chosen to read most of the books published for teens and they choose a select few. Click on each one to check it's availability in our system.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

Winner:

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgewick
Seven linked vignettes unfold on a Scandinavian island inhabited--throughout various time periods--by Vikings, vampires, ghosts and a curiously powerful plant.

Honor Books:

Kindgom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal
On the eve of Princess Sophia's wedding, the Scandinavian city of Skyggehavn prepares to fete the occasion with a sumptuous display of riches. Yet beneath the veneer of celebration, a shiver of darkness creeps through the palace halls.

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
What if the football hadn't gone over the wall? On the other side of the wall there is a dark secret. And the devil. And the Moon Man. And the Motherland doesn't want anyone to know. But Standish Treadwell--who has different-colored eyes, who can't read, can't write, STandish Treadwell isn't bright--sees things differently than the rest of the "train-track thinkers".

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
The Odyssey-like adventure of two boys' incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail where they deal with pirates, buried secrets and extraordinary encounters.








YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Winner:

The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascomb
A spy mission, a Holocaust tale and a first class work of nonfiction.








Finalists:
Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd

Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II by Martin W. Sandler

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone

The President Has Been Shot! The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James L. Swanson

Book Bites Reviews

These books were read and reviewed by the members of Book Bites, a book discussion club for grades 4-8. We meet on Thursdays @ 4:30. Call today to register and join us.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Review by Tori
Outliers is a book about a different perspective on success. I loved this book because it is interesting and eye opening.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review by Paige
A girl, Beatrice, is with the Abnegation faction. When she turns 16 she and her brother go to the ceremony where you pick the faction you will live your life with. My favorite character is Beatrice because she is the main character and the book is in her point of view. I liked this book because it was very unique and supernatural.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Review by Katie
*Spoilers Included*
A slightly overweight fiery red haired girl named Eleanor moves back in with her mother and devil-like stepfather, starting a new school. Being the new girl is already hard, but having the queen bee of the school, Tina, makes it harder. Having no empty seat to sit in on the bus, she sits down next to a part Korean kid named Park. After many weeks of Eleanor sneaking peeks at Park's comic books, Park leaves her some to borrow every morning. The is the start of their friendship and ultimately their relationship. They know their romance won't last forever, but they're willing to risk it. I loved this book because they tried so hard to maintain their relationship as a couple and when it didn't last, they still cared about each other.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Review by Destiny
Annemarie and her family are trying to keep their friend safe from the Nazis. One day the act like she's their daughter and take her to their uncles house. My favorite character is Annemarie. I liked this book.

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Review by B-Liz
This book is about vampires in Dallas, a vampire themed restaurant and cute people. My favorite character is Keiren because he is strong and a werewolf. I loved this book because it is funny and interesting.

Other Titles Discussed
The Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Eat Brains Love by Jeff Hart

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.