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  • Mon, 08/27/2012 - 10:49am
    Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

    “Hershey’s Kisses, the Thin voice said. Twenty-five calories.

    The Thin voice whispered, Brown rice, one hundred thirty-five calories. Steamed broccoli, two cups, fifty calories. One bite of chicken, thirty-six calories. Two hours on the exercise bike.

    A diet is temporary, the Thin voice said knowingly. Being thin is forever.”

    The Thin voice won’t go away. It is constantly there to remind Lisabeth Lewis that she is a failure. Everyone is thin, why not her? Life deals another twist of cruel fate when Lisabeth makes a deal with Death himself. Her new job? She is now Famine…as in one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Lisabeth must now face hunger in a way that she never thought of. She is slammed face first into a world were millions go without food every day, not because they are on a diet, but because they are on the brink of starvation and death. Lisabeth must learn to use her new power to not only help fight the injustices of the world and keep balance, but also the personal demons that live inside her.

    Jackie Morse Kessler uses the historic story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the current epidemic of eating disorders to create a story that will suck you in. As the Thin voice plagues Lisabeth into a world of despair, you are completely enthralled at the ironic twist of her being forced to be Famine. Kessler’s unique writing style is sharp, refreshing, and completely addicting. Given the fact the Hunger is only 177 pages, Kessler is able to create a storyline that is well developed, but quick to the point. Hunger is the first installment of the Riders of the Apocalypse series. Rage, the second in the series, was released in April of 2011 and the third installment in the series, Loss, was released in March 2012. Once you start this series you will not want to put it down.

    Ms. Judith

  • Tue, 08/21/2012 - 4:38pm
    Sports Books by Tim Green

    Football Genius

    Football Genius, by Tim Green, is the best book I have ever read. It is about a boy named Troy, and he has these powers which allow him to predict football plays before they happen. His mom works for the Atlanta Falcon. The author of the book, Tim Green, also played defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons a long time ago. Troy has two friends named Beth and Ty. They are like family to him. Since Troy's mom works with the Falcons, she convinces the coach to let Troy help coach the team, and they let him and he does a good job with all of that responsibility.

     

    Football Hero

    This is a great book about a boy named Ty who has an older brother named Thane who plays NFL football. Ty is a very lanky boy who lives with his uncle and his aunt. He goes to a new school and tries out for the football team and he makes the team. He is actually one of the best players on the team, next to Calvin. The coach is basically in love with Ty. Thane winds up with a knee injury and almost loses his career, but he doesn't. Does Ty get to start? Does Thane get better? To answer these questions you will have to read the book and find out.

    ~reviews by Michael T., 7th Grade

  • Fri, 08/03/2012 - 4:11pm
    Dark Star by Bethany Frenette (pre-publication review)

    Audrey Whitticomb’s mom is a superhero. No, really. Every night she goes out and fights crime in the Minneapolis, Minnesota tri-cities area. Audrey worries about her, but hey, that’s what she was born to do. Then one day Audrey finds out her mom isn’t really out fighting muggers, bank robbers, and would-be killers. Nope. She’s fighting something worse - demons. They’re stealing, draining, and killing teenage girls, looking for the blood of the chosen one to help them cross over into our world. And if that happens, one superhero won’t be enough to stop the carnage that follows.

    This novel was not what I expected. I skimmed the description, thought “superhero, cool,” and started reading. What I found was a paranormal coming of age novel. Though the demon hunting and the mystery of the disappearing girls is a prominent storyline, just as important are the personal revelations. Audrey’s mother has kept her in the dark about so many things, and in the course of this tale the teenager discovers family secrets, the existence of demons and demon fighters, a community/tribe, and a better sense of who she is. The ending wraps up most of the questions, but leaves just enough to tempt the reader with the prospect of future titles in the series.

    This review is based on an advance reading copy. The novel's current expected publication date from Disney-Hyperion is October 23, 2012.

    ~Heather C.