Skulduggery Pleasant

Skulduggery Pleasant

by Derek Landy

Synopsis:

Snappy Dresser
Razor-tongued Wit
Crackerjack Sorcerer
and
Walking, Talking,
Fire-throwing Skeleton
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant
Ace Detective
-as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old.
These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil.
The end of the world?
Over his dead body.

My thoughts:

The main reason why I picked this book was that  the cover stunned me when I looked at it.  This novel portrays the perfect example of a suspenseful, action filled, creative and some horror.  The vocabulary was fairly simple for a grade six and up due to some strong language.  This type of book allows me to get into it as if I was a part of the story, for example there is a part in a library when the description is so vivid it's like I can see myself in that place.  If I were looking for a book to never put down and want to read more about it in a series, this is the book for you.  Other books include Playing With Fire, The Faceless One’s and Kingdom of the Wicked.                                       

                                                     reviewed by M.K. Grade 10 Scona Student

Freefall

Freefall

by Mindi Scott

Synopsis:

How do you come back from the point of no return?Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn''t wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend''s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he''s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth soon realizes he isn''t the only one who needs saving . . .

My thoughts:

When I picked it I was expecting a mystery, thriller type of book which its definitely not, but it was still fairly enjoyable. The thing I didn’t like about the book is it had WAAAAY to much romance in it for my liking. There is nothing that I hate more than romance, lovey dovey crap but if you like that sort of stuff you’ll love this book because its also written excellently and its very engaging.  Freefall has a lot of swears in, again a little too much for my liking, so if you're sensitive to constant F- bombs this book may not be for you.  I think this book is relevant to readers in their teens because it deals with overcoming your fears and problems with friends, family, the opposite gender and peer pressure. For example in the book Seth has a hard time dealing with his brother Mikey pressuring him into dropping out of school to rejoin the band so Mikey don't have to find a replacement bassist.  Readers will most likely connect to Seths experiences in some way since every teen has had troubles with their parents or peer pressure. I liked the way the book was written because it wasn't to hard to understand and it was also written  like a teenager would talk so its almost like the character was talking to you, instead if reading a boring essay. All in all I'd recommend this book to most people.

                                         reviewed by M.K. Grade 10 Scona Student

Stolen

Stolen

by Lucy Christopher

Synopsis: 

A girl: Gemma, sixteen, at the airport, on her way to a family vacation.

A guy: Ty, rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar, eyes blue as ice.

She steps away. For just a second. He pays for her drink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what''s happening, Ty takes her. Steals her away. To sand and heat. To emptiness and isolation. To nowhere. And expects her to love him.

Written as a letter from a victim to her captor, Stolen is Gemma's desperate story of survival; of how she has to come to terms with her living nightmare-or die trying to fight it.

My Thoughts: 

Stolen by Lucy Christopher is a realistic novel written in the form of a letter to a man who abducted a teenage girl. He approached her at the airport coffee shop and thought she had recognized him from somewhere. He had followed her around for her  whole life. He drugged her at a coffee shop and brought her to a far away, unknown land. He never acts rude or unkind to her, and makes her feel welcome, making her intrigued by his artwork that he keeps in a large shed. They start to share a special bond with each other, leaving her wondering if she wants to be rescued.

Stolen was written in a way that was somewhat predictable, but in a way that made me want to keep reading to see if my predictions were right. It was very interesting reading about the way Ty, the abductor, treated Gemma. I felt like I was always wondering how Ty would act and react to certain things, and then either be surprised or prepared for his actions. The author made Ty a very intriguing and mysterious, but gentle character. I felt like the author created him very well because it made me really think about how I felt about Ty the more i read. In a way i wanted to dislike him for abducting a girl my age, but the way he treated her was so welcoming and kind, making him seem friendly and appealing. I was conflicted when I thought about if he were to get caught if he should be locked up forever, or if Gemma should defend him. It was very  alluring to keep up with what Gemma was thinking throughout her stay with Ty. The way she somehow admired Ty was very thought provoking. It made me wonder how she could come to enjoy the company of some stranger who ripped her away from her home and family. When she describes the good times she had with Ty, its very compelling to see how their relationship changed and grew throughout the novel. Over all Stolen is a very gripping and exciting novel to read.

            
                                                                                                 reviewed by M.C. Grade 10 Scona Student

Malice

Malice

by Chris Wooding

Synopsis:

Everyone''s heard of it...but nobody''s read it. Luke, Seth, and Kady have heard all the stories about Malice-a secret comic about a strange, awful world full of tricks and traps, and overseen by a sinister master of ceremonies, Tall Jake. But if the rumours are to be believed, the children in this comic are real...

Luke is the first to fall into this trap-and Seth and Kady are the next to follow. They have left our world and entered the sinister comic book. The question is-can they make it out alive? From acclaimed author, Chris Wooding, a novel that''s half fact, half comic-and all thrills.

My Thoughts:

In the graphic novel, Malice by Chris Wooding, Seth and Kady have been taken out of the real world and have been put into a comic book that has a Sinister Master of Ceremonies named Tall Jake. Seth and Kady end up in the other world is by saying a chant. Tall Jake put a whole bunch of deadly trials and traps for these two kids to pass. If they complete this comic they can go back to the real world but if they don’t they can end up trapped here.

I really liked the how it was part novel part comic, it was different from any book that i have read. The picture of the book really caught my eye because it says “you can’t escape” and had a picture of a magician. You get a feeling like you know what’s happening to the kids because the story has a story that tells what is happening to them as it goes on. I also like the action in the book because the two kids have to escape and get passed the traps and obstacles that Tall Jakes sets out for them. They way Seth and Kady got trapped in the city of Malice was really neat because they didn’t believe the urban legends they heard. Malice is the first of a duology, concluding with Havoc. I would recommend this book to junior high students who like transitions between comics and novels.

reviewed by D.L. Grade 10 Scona Student

YRCA 2014 Nominee #6: Ruby Red

Ruby Red 

by Kerstin Gier

Synopsis:

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon-the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the eighteenth century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading Ruby Red. It was entertaining, fun, and unique. However, I felt that the book was too short. I wasn't ready for the adventure to end. At times I felt that Kerstin Gier was using the first novel in the trilogy as a set- up of the story that would follow in her later novels. The story line went by so fast. It was missing an action plot that would have me on the edge of my seat or to make the story more memorable. While the book was not really memorable, it was good and it will make you want to read the next two books in the trilogy. 

Ruby Red is about time travel which can sometimes be too complicated to follow or too simple that the story line confuses you. Ruby Red is not complicated and not too simple which allows the story line to be explained beautifully and you can follow it easily. I liked the mythology and background surrounding time travel in the universe of this series. It was well thought out yet simple and I’m definite there is a lot more to discover and unveil beyond the first book.

The biggest problem with Ruby Red is that you will want to move on to the sequel right away. This may pose a problem because the final book from the trilogy does not come out until later this year (Fall, 2013). The book was basically a preview of what is to come in later books. It describes the characters and allows the reader to understand the characters, the setting, and the beginning of the story to come.

I think this book is suited for a younger audience. The story is magical and exciting even though it is lacking an epic scene that would have set off the story. It’s simple and engaging. I have high hopes for the remaining novels. 

I hope that the novels following Ruby Red (Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green) are more detailed and discuss the story line more than Ruby Red. 

Also, the German version of the movie "Ruby Red" has been released and producers are working on dubbing the movie into English! Although there is no concrete date on the release of the English dubbed movie, there has been a trailer released! If you don't like trailers or don't want to get too excited about the trailer in case the movie doesn't premiere for a while, I advise you not to watch the trailer. It's a good one! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CItuYHamRtY

YRCA 2014 Nominee #8: Karma

Karma 

by Cathy Ostlere

Synopsis:

On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi is gunned down by two Sikh bodyguards. The murder sparks riots in New Delhi and for three days Sikh men are targeted and killed in retribution for the prime minister's death. It is into this chaos that fifteen-year-old Maya and her Sikh father, Amar, arrive from their home in Canada. India's political instability is the backdrop and catalyst for Maya's awakening to the world. Karma is the story of how she straddles two cultures, endures personal loss, and ultimately learns forgiveness, acceptance, and love.

My Thoughts:

I like this story and I will definitely read it again. It is a romantic and historical fiction of two diaries following the lives of two teenagers. The novel is beautifully written in verse.

"Life is an illusion

And as it turns out, so is death.

What is real? What will remain when we all fade away?

Two things: Love. Forgiveness."

When reading this beautiful novel, you will not be able to put it down as you will want to find out what happens. At the same time, you will want to read the story slowly as to enjoy the descriptive and elegant language. The story stays with me even after I have finished reading it and I recommend it to everyone.

The friendship and the love between Maya and Sandeep provide happiness, love and acceptance instead of racism, hatred, and discrimination that surround that dark era of India.

The author, Cathy Ostlere, shows us a world of hatred and cruelty, different religions and cultures. It is a blend of how humankind is capable of very horrible things and also capable of love and forgiveness.

"We are a nation with a long history and short memories. We are a nation accustomed to pain."

Cathy Ostlere ends the story with a strong possibility of love, hope and peace. "And besides, who will show the world the possibility of love, if it isn't us?"

The book portrays the mystery and splendour of India. You will suffer from the poverty, cruelty, hatred and you will enjoy the beauty of India.

For your sake, I hurry over land and water:

For your sake, I cross the desert and split the mountain in two,

And turn my face from all things,

Until the time I reach the place

Where I am alone with you.                -Persian poet Al-Hallaj

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui

Synopsis:

"I'm a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no."
 
Forced by her father to marry a man three times her age, young Nujood Ali was sent away from her parents and beloved sisters and made to live with her husband and his family in an isolated village in rural Yemen. There she suffered daily from physical and emotional abuse by her mother-in-law and nightly at the rough hands of her spouse. Flouting his oath to wait to have sexual relations with Nujood until she was no longer a child, he took her virginity on their wedding night. She was only ten years old.

Unable to endure the pain and distress any longer, Nujood fled-not for home, but to the courthouse of the capital, paying for a taxi ride with a few precious coins of bread money. When a renowned Yemeni lawyer heard about the young victim, she took on Nujood's case and fought the archaic system in a country where almost half the girls are married while still under the legal age. Since their unprecedented victory in April 2008, Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family has attracted a storm of international attention. Her story even incited change in Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries, where underage marriage laws are being increasingly enforced and other child brides have been granted divorces.

Recently honored alongside Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice as one of Glamourmagazine's women of the year, Nujood now tells her full story for the first time. As she guides us from the magical, fragrant streets of the Old City of Sana'a to the cement-block slums and rural villages of this ancient land, her unflinching look at an injustice suffered by all too many girls around the world is at once shocking, inspiring, and utterly unforgettable.

My Thoughts:

I wasn't sure what to write about this book and ended up reading quite a few book reviews to see what everyone else had to say about it thinking that maybe that would help me out.  And it did help just not in the way that I expected.  After reading all those reviews the main point I came away with is almost every reviewer didn't like how simple the language and explanations were. I guess I can understand why they would say that but I don't remotely agree with that idea.  This book tells the story of Nujood, who is 10 years old and uneducated of course the language and explanations are going to be simple.  The story actually feels as though Nujood is telling her story which is why this book is so powerful and shocking.  I think the story would lose something if it was told from an adult's perspective because for a fair bit of her story there wasn't an adult around and Nujood had to figure out what was happening on her own.  This book is heart wrenching but inspiring all at the same time.  Nujood is an inspiration to many and because of her other younger girls will hopefully be protect from underage marriages.