Unwind

Book by Neal Shusterman
Review by Stacy V., BCCHS student

The book Unwind is based sometime in the future where a war has been fought between the pro-life and pro-choice armies. Their conclusion or result is the Bill of Life, which ends abortion but allows parents to choose to have their children "unwound" between the ages of 13 and 18. "Unwinding" is the transplanting of every part of the teens' bodies to some other adults that need it, but since every bit of their bodies is still technically "alive," they haven't been killed, right?

One of the main characters of the book is Connor, who discovers that his parents have signed an order for his unwinding, and as soon as he finds out he escapes. He eventually meets a girl named Risa, another escaping unwind who is very well educated and intelligent, also a boy named Lev, whose life has been tithed to the church and whose family has lied to him throughout his life. Connor becomes the leader of their little group and tries to keep them all one step ahead of the police that are after them. But Lev may have other ideas and could ruin their escape; that could lead them all to Unwinding.

This book is full of suspense and disbelief upon what is right and who is right. You will find the story exciting and thought-provoking. It raises issues that range from abortion, organ transplant, and euthanasia, to the rights of parents, children, and society. Neal Shusterman takes an idea and runs with it far beyond where most authors are willing to go.

Carrie

Book by Stephen King

Review by Alan N., BCCHS student

“It was time to teach them a lesson. Time to show them a thing or two. She giggled hysterically.”

A high school student who is harassed constantly, so that every moment the anger becomes worse and worse—Carrie White is not your ordinary 16-year-old girl. She is seen as a freak, somebody who does not belong in Chamberlain, Maine. Her mother sees her own daughter as a sinner, a witch, and Carrie soon realizes the gift she has, the power to move anything with her mind. As things get worse, she knows what she must do, punish those who did her wrong, the ones who underestimated her; she will make them suffer, let them know that Carrie White is one person not to bother, and she waits for her prom night, a night she will always cherish. In the book, she is described as a girl who has self-doubt, who is someone who will never find true love, or ever have a relationship.

The book, in my opinion, was able to demonstrate high school life and what certain people go through. What I really enjoy about the author is that Stephen King is able to blend a little of reality and fiction together, and come up with a story that is very interesting. Carrie is one of my favorite Stephen King books. It is well written, the suspense is unrelenting, and it is a fast-paced novel. Another good thing about it is that when a significant event occurs, the novel changes to another setting in which the characters describe the situation of the prom night, the night that no one will ever forget. The novel is a great book, and I hope the students that read it can enjoy it as much as I did. What I also liked from the book was that it is full of detail, and describes every little thing that is needed to understand the story.

I know this long review can be boring or stupid, the reason is because I’m doing an extra credit assignment for my English class, and I NEED THE POINTS! I hope the person that is reading this review can take their time to read the book, and I hope they will like it—Who wouldn’t like it, IT’S CARRIE EVERYONE, the story about the girl who has hate for everyone, including her own mother; but I don’t blame her, because her mom is crazy. Carrie is a short novel, 245 pages long, but once you read the very beginning, you won’t want to put the book down. I thank you for taking your time to read this very long review, and I hope you will read the book.

Rage: A Love Story

Written by Julies Anne Peters
Reviewed by Diana V. H., BCCHS student

**This book is coming to the BCCHS Library on January 11, 2011.

Rage is a story about a young lesbian, Johanna Finch, who is very attracted to a girl named Reeve Hartt. Reeve Hartt is a mysterious girl, and that’s one of the things that drives Johanna crazy. Eventually the two become a couple and Johanna is head over heels in love with Reeve. Reeve does not understand why Johanna loves her so much; she has never understood love because her past has been full of child abuse. Throughout the story, Reeve physically abuses Johanna. These two characters undergo many problems, but somehow they make it work.

I loved this book because the connection between the two characters was so strong, and it made the story seem as if everything was going to be okay, but then there would be a change in events. It always had something that made me want to keep reading. The book was like an adventure of a girl who is blinded by love and is willing to travel any distance to stay with her love.

This book is suitable for a teenage audience. It’s also great for anyone looking for a great love story to read. I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars because I don’t like love stories, and this book had me glued to its pages. Rage was recommended to me by a friend, and now I recommend it to everyone who wants to be entertained.

Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12)

Written by Jim Butcher
Reviewed by Eric M., BCCHS student

*** This book is available at your local public library or bookstore.

Changes is the 12th novel in the Dresden Files Universe, and it’s the exactly what the title states, changes. Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only practicing professional Wizard. He’s been in more “end of the world” scrapes and adventures than he has fingers, has 10 times more enemies than friends, owns a spiritual entity that lives in a skull called Bob, consults for the Chicago Police Department on supernatural cases, is a Warden of the White Council and a teacher to his apprentice, Molly.


For the last 11 books or so, Harry has primarily been hired/bullied/tricked into taking cases/assignments that have led him to having to either:

     A. Save lives (sometimes his own)

     B. Save Chicago.

     Or C. Save the World.

Whether its squaring off against killer F.B.I. werewolves, starting wars between courts singlehandedly, going toe-to-toe with sex-driven Vampires, or having to go up against a couple of heavyweight divine-gods—twice—you name it, Harry has done it all. Harry has been fighting for his life, his city, and his world for years.

But just when his previous engagement had left him asking what the world would ask of him next, his ex-girlfriend (who was turned into a half-vampire after an enemy of Harry’s kidnapped her and gave her a new taste for blood) called him up and opened with a casual, “They’ve taken our daughter.” Talk about a wake-up call.

Harry now faces a daunting task: not only does he have to go up against an entire vampire race (which he’s been at war with for half a decade), but Harry’s conscience will be tested more than ever. In the past, Harry has been offered immense power from evil yet powerful individuals. And even though he always seemed to be staring death in the face, he always declined. But now, Harry isn’t the one in danger, and he will have to decide just how long he can walk the straight and narrow before his little girl runs out of time.

Thank You Library Workers!!!!

 

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Written by Mary E. Pearson

Reviewed by Toktam Etlaet, BCCHS student

Jenna Fox has just woken up after a yearlong coma to a home she doesn’t know and parents she doesn’t remember. As she struggles to figure out who she is, Jenna discovers a horrible secret that could change her forever. The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a thrilling book about a young girl’s journey of self-discovery as she struggles against her own morals and beliefs. Sprinkled with a fun mix of science fiction, The Adoration of Jenna Fox explores the very nature of humanity and what it really means to have a soul.

A great book that makes the reader think about the very nature of humanity.

Accomplice

Written by Eireann Corrigan

Reviewed by Ms. Freeman, BCCHS Teacher Librarian

Have you ever secretly fantasized about doing something really awful and manipulative in order to get what you want?  Like devising a elaborate plan to steal your best friend’s boyfriend or cheat on the SAT?  You’d probably (hopefully!) never go through with such a wicked scheme…but this book is about two friends who took that secret fantasy and acted on it.

Chloe and Finn were terribly stressed out about getting into a top college and felt they needed an extra something to make them stand out on their applications. The friends started joking about how much attention kidnapped girls receive, and then their jokes turned into a twisted plan: They decided to fake Chloe’s kidnapping and have Finn miraculously find/save her. What a college essay that story would make!

It was supposed to be a “victimless crime,” but the pain they inflict on their families and on the prime suspect turn their cute plan into a nightmare. They never meant to hurt anyone, but can they back out of their plan before they ruin their own lives and the lives of those around them?

I liked this book because it was surprisingly realistic for such a far-fetched plot. It seemed to show what would really happen if you tried to fake your best friend’s kidnapping! However, I had hoped it would be a really tense, suspenseful book, and instead I found it more interesting than suspenseful. (The end was suspenseful, though!)

I’m very curious to know if BCCHS students will like it…Please let me know what you think!

(Note: I know that my use of the word “hopefully” above is grammatically incorrect. Please forgive me, English teachers.)

Gerald's Game

Written by Stephen King

Reviewed by Alan Nguyen, BCCHS student

A married couple, the Burlingames, go to their summer house for some quality time together, and the games they play become a living nightmare. Her husband dead, no way of reaching the keys that can free her, a stray dog that devours the corpse of her husband—This book chronicles a twisted time of her life that she will never forget.   

Suspenseful, gut-wrenching, and hypnotic. The tension in this book is unrelenting. I thought it was a well-written book, and the day I checked out the book, I could not put it down.

Tuesdays with Morrie

By Mitch Albom

Reviewed by Katerin Q., BCCHS student

Tuesdays with Morrie is an incredible book that teaches one great lessons. There is a man named Mitch that used to be a student at the college that Morrie worked at. Mitch mentions how when he was young, he believed he could do anything. He thought his life was going to turn out to be perfect and that money was not going to be his great concern. As he is now an adult, he’s realized that money has become a big part of his life. He is now a man that lives his life concerned about what he has even though it’s not what he wishes to have.

He finds his professor by watching a show on television. At first, it’s weird to him to talk to his old professor due to the fact that they lost contact after college. Mitch feels it’s his fault. Every Tuesday, Mitch visits Morrie and learns something about life. Mitch finds it really amazing how Morrie, being a man who has a deadly disease, mentions how happy he is about his life and how he always enjoys it to the fullest. Morrie is a really special being that teaches one so much. For example, how people learn to live once they accept death.

Elsewhere

Written by Gabrielle Zevin

Reviewed by Ruben V., BCCHS student

Gabriele Zevin has written a novel worth reading. The book, Elsewhere, gives a perfect descriptive view into what lies in the afterlife. The protagonist, Liz, was run over by a taxi cab, after which she is sent into this miraculous afterlife, Elsewhere. Elsewhere is so like Earth, and also completely unlike Earth. All the features of Earth are found in this place, but Elsewhere is also the home of dead people, where they age backwards instead of growing older.

This book has a peaceful quality, given the fact that it mentions a lot about death. The main characters live here with ease, a relaxing environment, with a bit of romance and fights sprinkled into the book. A must read for young adults, since many people can relate to the young girl who died, Liz. A book that has flowing text, where no dictionary is required. An excellent book, with the similarity with The Lovely Bones, where the two young girls in the stories met an unwanted fate. You could find the book here in the Birmingham Library, with plentiful copies of this wondrous book.

** Note from Ms. Freeman:  This book is also available in the BCCHS Library in Spanish.  (En Otro Lugar)

Fake ID (Hunted Series, #1)

Written by Walter Sorrells

Reviewed by Serena L.

When I first read the title, I knew this book had adventure. The main character is a young girl who goes by the name of Chastity Pureheart, for now. She got that name from a book her mom chose in a library in Alabama. Alabama was her and her mom’s new place of residency. Chass and her mom were always on the run. She never knew why, and was never allowed to ask. There were two things that Chastity didn’t know. One, her real name, and two, who her father was.

On Chastity’s sixteenth birthday, things fall apart. First, she and her mom get into an argument. Second, her mom doesn’t come back home from the time she left in her car after the fight. A day passes and her mom’s still not back. So Chass calls the police and files a missing person’s report. After that, Chass goes to stay with her best friend Ben and his family. A couple days later, Ben’s dad gets a call from the sheriff about Chass’s mom. Chastity overheard the conversation.

Chass has all these questions going through her mind like “Where’s my mom? Is she dead? Will she ever come back? Was she kidnapped? Where is she?!!!!!!!”

There is a house on a mountain-like hill. It’s a crime scene. Two stoners skip school to go smoke some crack and when they arrive to the abandoned house, they find a purse. They look inside and what they found were a bunch of I.D. cards. All different names, all the same person. Chastity’s mom.

The police and detectives get called to the house to investigate. That was when Mr. Purvis, Ben’s dad, gets the call. So Mr. Purvis drives up to the crime scene and with him are Chastity and Ben. Chass runs inside the house and bumps into a detective. He stops her and says:

“You know this doesn’t mean anything. Not yet”.

“Mom wouldn’t leave me by choice,”

“Down in the basement there was sort of… Look, your mom’s not here. Let’s not jump to conclusions alright?”

“How much blood? What’s in the basement? What happened in there?”

“You don’t want to be thinking about that.”

The sheriff took some things out of the pocket of his suit coat and set them on Chastity’s leg.

“Take a look at those” he said.

There were six separate plastic baggies with red letters on them that said EVIDENCE. Each one held a plastic I.D. card. One was an ATM card from a bank, one was an I.D. card, one was a company I.D. card, and they were all Chastity’s mom.

Right now Chass is thinking that if her mom’s dead, then Chass can take care of herself and she should just move on and just leave Alabama. Then Chass thinks of what if her mom’s not dead, what if someone was after her, caught up to them, and got her mom. Finally, Chass realizes she needs to get out of town before whoever got her mom got her too.

They were always on the run from something. Or someone. And now Chass figures out that her mom was just trying to protect both of them.

I would recommend this book to a lot of people.

This book involves a mystery and a lot of suspense. You’ll love it because many people did including me. And I am not the kind of person who likes to read. This book went by really fast and was really good.

A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive

Written by Dave Pelzer

Reviewed by Tatyanna D., BCCHS student

A Child Called “It” by Dave Pelzer is a compelling story about a young boy and his struggle to survive in the household he calls “horror.” A Child Called “It” is a biography that has 153 pages of a heartfelt story and 31 pages of Epilogue, Perspectives on Child Abuse, and Resources for Help with child abuse.

A Child Called “It” is the unforgettable story of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California. It is the story about David Pelzer being brutally beaten by his torturous, alcoholic mother, who plays unpredictable games that almost leave a young David dead. In order to survive, he must learn how to play his mother’s games. She sees him more as a slave than a son and more as an “IT,” than a boy.

David must sleep in the cold basement in an old army cot and must wear his torn, unwashed clothes every day. When he is allowed the luxury of food, it is merely scraps of cold food or the leftover cereal, left by his brothers. He goes long periods of time without food at all. He develops the habit of stealing and begging for food. As his mother grows to learn about his habits, she keeps a close eye on him, meaning larger punishments.

I chose to read this book because of the cover. I thought that a book with a cover so interesting was worth reading. The cover shows Dave with a hand grabbing his chin. At first I didn’t know what it was, but as I looked carefully I could see it was a hand, the hand of the god that kept David alive. My expectations of the book were low because I don’t expect much from books. I simply want to be either entertained, made laugh or made cry, just like this book did.

“After months of being confined for hours at a time in the garage, my courage took over and I stole bits of frozen food from the garage freezer. I was fully aware that I could pay for my crime at any time, so I ate every morsel as if it were my last meal.” This is an example of a weakness from the book. This weakness shows how Dave Pelzer doesn’t use any expression. He doesn’t describe how he felt. It’s a strong sentence but it just seems blank.

On a scale from one to five, with one being “DUD” and five being “BEST,” I rate this book a five. I rated A Child Called “It” a five because it is the best book I have ever read. Unlike any other book I have read, this one actually made me feel something. It is an extraordinary and inspirational story that takes you through the life of a young boy desperate to find a way out of the torturous life he has been living for almost ten years. It will make you want to laugh, smile and cry. This book touched my heart and I know has touched the hearts of fellow readers. I give this book a two-thumbs up and I am prepared to recommend it to anyone that needs a good book to read.

Sundays at Tiffany's

Written by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet

Reviewed by Stephanie G., BCCHS student

Sundays at Tiffany’s is a literature/romance. Personally I think this book should be rated four stars out of five. The reason for this rating is for the excitement and curiosity of knowing what will happen next.

As a little girl, Jane feels all alone. Her dad does not exist in her life, and her mother is a famous Broadway producer that usually has no time for her and Jane is only able to see her when she is not occupied. The only person Jane truly has is a handsome, comforting, funny friend named Michael, but she is the only one that can see him. About thirty years later, she is as alone as she was thirty years before. Then she has the luck of meeting a handsome, comforting, funny man. His name is Michael. Michael knows the real reason they have been reunited.

Sundays at Tiffany’s is a love story with an irresistible twist, a novel for a teenager/adult to actually bring back a magical story about love. What I love about this story is its details in between each chapter. I am not so satisfied with the fact that there are so many details that it takes a while to get to the main point of the chapter.

(**This book can be found at your local library or bookstore.  It is coming soon to the BCCHS Library.)

The Hunger Games

Written by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Jorge O., BCCHS student

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first book in a trilogy. The book takes place in a futuristic modern world, but no time is given. Here a nation called Panem lies in the ruins of what used to be North America. This nation is divided into 12 districts. The higher the number of the district, the poorer the district is. The main character of the story is a girl named Katniss. She lives in the poorest district, District 12. She lives with her mother and younger sister, Prim. They have to hunt for their own food and struggle to survive because their mother is in a deep depression and Katniss has to take care of her younger sister alone. But Katniss has found herself in a nightmare predicament. Katniss’ little sister, Prim, was chosen to fight in the hunger games, which are held every year. Katniss wouldn’t let Prim enter so she volunteered to take her spot. They had to prepare for the games for weeks which I thought was a bit of a slow start for the book.

One of the reasons that I chose this book is because of the description that the librarian told me. The librarian told a short summary of the book so we know what it’s about and that got me very interested in the book. One other thing that got me interested in the book was the cover. The cover looked like it could be an action book, and the mocking jay pin on the cover looked like it was a symbol for something that the character would have as a prized possession and it looked really interesting.

This was a really great book overall. I thought that the combination of the setting and the plot of the story just went together perfectly. There are some exceptions to the book though. At the beginning, Katniss was just with a friend hunting and talking about the memories of her father. I thought that this beginning was kind of slow. However, as the book progressed there started to be more and more action in the book which kept pulling me back to read it some more. This was a great part of the book that the author did to keep making the reader wonder what is going to happen next, which I loved.

Overall I thought this was an excellent book. The author tied the thoughts of a teenager and the story really well. I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 because it was an excellent book and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Pet Sematary

By Stephen King

Reviewed by Alan Nguyen

“A hideous mewling sound now arose, and for a moment all of Judson’s bones turned to white ice. It was not Louis’s son returned from the grave but some hideous monster.”

The Creeds are an ideal family—physician father, caring mother, adorable daughter, and infant son—who move to rural Maine to seek a better life. They soon find the new house they are going to be living in, including the path that leads to the pet cemetery. It seems too good to be true, but then Louis Creed, the father, soon discovers the blood-chilling truth of the burial ground behind their new home, an evil enchantment of magic that is hidden within the burial grounds, something powerful, more terrifying than death itself. Death is only the beginning.

Excellent, Stephen King is at his best, spine-tingling and very chilling. This book addresses the mystery of death, and the secrets of burial.

Jackie & Me (Baseball Card Adventures)

Written by Dan Gutman

Reviewed by Manuel C., BCCHS student

**This book can be found at your local library or bookstore.

The book Jackie and Me is a well-written book by Author Dan Gutman. It is a terrific 141-page book. This book is fiction, which means the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration. Like every book, it has its strengths and it has its weaknesses.

This book is about a kid named Joe Stoshack who lives an unnormal lifestyle. He was a boy who lived in Louisville, Kentucky. He has the power and ability to touch baseball cards and travel through time, going to the date of which the card was printed. So he had a report assignment about Black History Month and decided to do his report on Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in baseball. Stoshack decided to use his power of traveling through time to find information about Jackie Robinson and what he did and went through to make history and break the color barrier in baseball. Robinson entered the MLB (major league baseball) in 1947, but Joe Stoshack had a huge problem when a baseball card store owner named Flip told him no baseball cards were printed in 1947. Until Flip finally realized that Joe really needed a card of Jackie Robinson in 1947 he gave him a card of Jackie Robinson becoming a Dodger. So Joe went through time travel to Brooklyn, New York and became a great friend of Jackie’s and learned a lot and why white people judged Jackie for playing in the big leagues. He learned about racism and what a big difference it was between 1947 and the year he was in, but most importantly learned about Jackie Robinson and how he broke the color barrier in the MLB and made history that would last forever.

I chose this book because I always wanted to know how white people let people of color play the same game as them on the same team through a time when racism was a huge part of life. But it wasn’t that they let them; it was a fact that Robinson was a great player and got lucky to be given a chance to play in the big leagues with white people and be able to break a color barrier in baseball and make history. I thought this book was a great one because it had a great style of writing, had great details, didn’t lack any information, and motivated me to keep on reading. No, this is not my favorite book, but it is a book that I will soon read again. Like every other book this one had its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths that this book had was it had a detailed setting, gave visual details, was entertaining, and had a great beginning, middle, and end. Some of its weaknesses were that it didn’t have enough characters, it had some unnecessary information, and sometimes took a while to end chapters. So after reading the book Jackie and Me, I rate it a four out five because it was a great book, but wasn’t the best ever that author Dan Gutman wrote.

The Winds Of Change: A Richard Jury Mystery

Written by Martha Grimes

Reviewed by Rebecca R., BCCHS student

(*This book can be found at your local library or bookstore.)

Are you into mystery fiction books with curiosity increasing with every turn of a page? If you are, then I would recommend Winds of Change to you. Winds of Change is a 407-page novel by Martha Grimes. If you love this book, then you will surely enjoy knowing there are another eighteen books in the series. This book costs $22.95 dollars in stores but if you don't plan on buying it you can always get it at your local library.

This book is about the disappearance of a young girl named Flora whose case is somehow connected to the murder of an elderly woman. Richard Jury is the main character, the Superintendent of Scottland Yard, a detective who is trying desperately to put the pieces together in this strange puzzle that will lead him to a startling revelation.

There are some downfalls to this book such as its frequent change of view, its slow beginning, and the British accents of the characters. For example, "Split the lark and you'll find the music". Although this book has some downsides, it has many positive factors:  It has a great main character, it's a page-turner, it is very mysterious and sure to arouse your curiosity, and it has an amazing ending. "You said her eyes were the same shade as her dress she was wearing...I'm wondering how you knew that...you couldn't have seen the dress because it was...the same day she disappeared." This book is like a nonstop current in a river, you don't know where it will lead or how fast it will go. It keeps you thinking.

I chose to read this book because it had all the qualities I look for in a book such as mystery, crime, detective stories and adventure. If you do too then you'll love this book. The whole concept is a detective doing his job by solving mystery cases, but this case is like no other. In the writing of this book, everyone has a British accent, which indicates that it takes place in England.  I, myself would have preferred it without that given accent, but it is still a great book.

The overall book is amazing, but not the best work I have read so far. I would rate this book a four out of five because it is a great book with some downfalls. I would recommend this book to all readers who love mystery or crime novels. Although, it would be better for you to start off with the first of its series called "The Man with a Load of Mischief". I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Go Ask Alice

Written by "Anonymous"**

Reviewed by Omar R., BCCHS student

I recently came across a book called “Go Ask Alice” by Anonymous. The author’s name isn’t “anonymous” but a code name in order to protect the real author’s identity. The book itself is a diary of a fifteen-year-old drug addict who struggles with herself. The book consists of 159 pages, goes for a little over a year, and has been modified from the original version for privacy reasons.

To begin with, we never know the author’s name. It begins with “Alice” (code name from book title) as your average American girl who would date, party, etc. She goes to a party where they began playing “Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?” Before you know, Alice feels uplifted. She has never felt like that ever in her life. When she returns to reality, she finds out that they had put LSD in her drink and that the “button” was the drug. She felt guilty but also at the same time, she had the urge to do it again for she felt so good by doing so.

“I could smell it and touch it and feel it as well as hear it.

Never had anything ever been so beautiful. I was a part of every single instrument, literally a part.”

-July 10, Go Ask Alice.

Throughout the rest of the book, Alice gets introduced to new drugs and begins doing heavier drugs which cause her to get into various problems. She runs away from home, deals with selling drugs, having sex, etc. As you go more into the book, she feels as though she doesn’t want the life of a drug addict anymore. She comes to realize that she isn’t that type of person and that she wants others to feel the same. She then begins feeling that she wants to help people with drug addiction problems like her to quit.

The main reason I chose this book was because it’s based on real life, not made up. This could happen to anyone. Alice was one of thousands of teens who die from drugs each year. Alice’s story is not unique. It’s one of many out there. It brings up the thought that this could happen to anyone. Overall, this book rose to my expectations. It got me to think over how the choices you make can impact your life. I will admit that everything Alice did before she got into drugs, I do the same. I go to parties, date, go out with friends, have fun and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Also, does that mean that I’m going to get into drugs? No. It just means that the choices you make can make a difference.

Although the book was intriguing and extensively well-written for a diary, I must admit, it can be improved. The book has many gaps for she does not write an entry everyday which leads to unanswered questions. This doesn’t occur just in one part of the book but rather everywhere, especially when she runs away; she writes an entry every three days practically.

Despite everything, I would rate this book a 4.5/5.

(**Note from Ms. Freeman:  Go to Snopes.com for the truth about who wrote this book!)

The Shining

By Stephen King

Reviewed by Alan Nguyen, BCCHS student

"El sueño de la razón produce monstruos."
"The sleep of reason breeds monsters."
– Francisco Goya, painter

A small family of three is staying at the Overlook hotel: Jack Torrance, a former alcoholic who lost his teaching job after beating up a student, Wendy Torrance, a mother who wants to give her family a better life, and Danny, an independent 5-year-old son who has a gift that reflects the evil of the hotel.

Jack is a writer, and decides to become the caretaker of the hotel. Wendy and Danny join along, not knowing the history of the hotel. As time passes, strange things start happening: Jack starts becoming a cold-hearted figure who represents the hotel’s darkness, and Danny soon discovers the family’s future, a bloody nightmare of death, the ghosts of the past wreak havoc on the hotel.

The Shining is one of the best, creepiest books, and it will leave you wanting more. It is the one book that kept me up at night.

Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Reviewed by Abigail N., BCCHS student

The book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson leaves a teenage girl speechless after she busts an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, leaving about everyone she know hating her. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she soon goes into a strong depression leading her to do things such as cutting class, spacing out, and hurting herself. She is now challenged to survive high school while encountering bullying, suicidal feelings, and rape along her way. The dark tale of her experiences were now eating her alive little by little each passing day she went without speaking. What happens to her in the end of her first year in high school? You’ll need to find out on your own...

This tough, tender, funny story of a teenage outcast is a great book. Its abundant way of making the text so visual and its way of making the book humorous is upright, but just like any other book it does have its weaknesses. Some of those weaknesses would be unclear or confusing parts, and flashback confusions, but overall I'd definitely give it two thumbs up.

This book, much like others, sends out a message to people going through the same thing, or a somewhat related situation in the story. For example, in the book The Freedom Writers Diaries a class of students write about their everyday lives which also included their struggles. The book inspired many people with the message it was sending, that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Speak also sends a message, but the message of speaking up instead of keeping your problems or feelings bottled up.

Therefore, on a one-through-five scale, I would give this book a good solid four. The reason being is that I found the book to be very good, the format was well put and the story it told was very interesting. Though there were some parts that weren't as great as others, I really enjoyed taking the time to read this book.

I would recommend it to anybody, but mostly to those that don't want to speak but would like to be heard.

The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 13)

By Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by Emily P., BCCHS student

This book revolves around the three Baudelaire orphans and Count Olaf, who has wanted their money since day one. In book twelve they escape from a hotel and end up at sea.  They end up cast away on a coastal shelf. Where there is a village who welcomes them with open arms but they soon notice that the leader is very demanding. They try to figure out why and how all the islanders pay attention. The find out it has to do with the cordial he gives them. It is strong so it hypnotizes them. Once the island gets into danger, they try fixing it but the island leader just gives them cordial and they leave before the Baudelaire’s have a chance to save them. While they are trying to save the islanders their friend starts to go into labor and dies. They now have to raise her baby. They stay on the island another year and then decide to leave the island with only what they need.

All books have their good parts and their bad parts. “The End” by Lemony Snicket has them too. The bad points were the flashbacks. They confused you unless you read all the other twelve books. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you read them. Most of the flashbacks are from the book before. Like when they kill one of their friends. Unless you read book five you won’t know what importance that person has. 

The good points are how intense it is. It kept you reading. Like the author said, “Every time a question is answered another one is asked”, which is exactly what kept me reading. Every time you put a piece into the puzzle you would have to figure out where the other one went. It was a real page turner.

This 324 page book with its 13 page Epilogue is really good. But you have to read the first twelve books first. Because some of the characters they mention are from books before. And the most important part of the book revolves around an organization named the V.F.D. which is explained in one of the previous books. I would recommend this to anyone who can play catch up fast. Once you understand the language used you will understand the book. Most of the words in the book that are hard to understand the author defines for you. Over all this is a very good book. And has a lot of adventure and mystery.    

324 pages 13 page Epilogue

Author: Lemony Snicket

Book 13^th of 13.

The Last Thing I Remember

By Klavan, Andrew

Reviewed by Jesus, BCCHS student

The last thing Charlie West remembers is writing a girl’s number in his hand, when he wakes up bloodied, tied to a chair, and hearing someone give the order to kill him. After getting away from the killer, he finds out that he’s wanted for the murder of his best friend. After escaping police custody, he discovers that the pieces of conversation he heard while he was bound to the chair actually refer to a terrorist assassination plot. From various clues, he starts to figure what’s going on, but since he can’t go to the police he decides to stop it himself. Will he be able to stop the attempt? Will he find out who wants him dead?

I think this is a very interesting book that deals with scenarios that could happen. The best part was that he never gives up even when everything seems over for him.

The New Way to search for BCCHS Library Books!!!!!

Click here:  Destiny (Online Book Catalogue)

(For now, you can only access the catalogue from a school computer.  Sorry!)

Cat’s Cradle

By Kurt Vonnegut

Reviewd by Ellaine Ronquillo, BCCHS student

“A Free-Wheeling Vehicle, An Unforgettable Ride!” -- New York Times

This book by Kurt Vonnegut is such an odd yet very interesting book that wants you to keep on turning those pages. Vonnegut has put you in a futuristic place but has captured our modern world of today. I mean it gets you all mixed up at first, but in the end if you read it more than once you’ll understand it more and more. It’s crazy and just completely twisted in some chapters. The narrator and main character Jonah/John was quite an honest child and man of wisdom you might say. Cat’s Cradle is a satirical commentary on a “modern man and his madness.”

From the back of the book:
“An apocalyptic tale of this planet’s ultimate fate, it features a midget as the protagonist; a complete, original theology created by a calypso singer; and a vision of the future that is at once blackly fatalistic and hilariously funny. A book that left an indelible mark on an entire generation of readers. Cat’s Cradle is one of this century’s most important works… and Vonnegut at his very best.”

It caught my attention when I saw it on the shelf and when I asked our librarian she said, “Oh, that’s a good one. It’s just so twisted and crazy, but an awesome book.” As she said this to me I was hooked, twisted and crazy were my favorite types of books aside from romance and mystery books. In my opinion Cat’s Cradle is just amazing in many ways unexplainable. I love it, it was one of the books I will always remember reading in high school.

I definitely recommend this to you if you’re bored or just completely into reading something so crazy and confusing that it challenges you to read it again and again. Quoting the end of the book, “If I were a younger man, I would write the history of human stupidity; and I would climb to the top of Mt. McCabe and lie down on my back with my history for a pillow; and I would take from the ground some of the blue-white poison that makes statues of myself, lying on my back, grinning horribly, and thumbing my nose at You Know Who.” As the narrator quoted from The Book of Bokonon. Just reading that last paragraph or so was what got me saying, “We need more books like this in the future and make it a new trend one day in high school. I could say many things about the Cat’s Cradle and go on and on, but for now check it out at our library and see what you think.

The Call of the Wild

By Jack London

Reviewed by Taylor "Frost-Whitman-Emerson" Earwood, BCCHS student

Setting down The Call of the Wild by Jack London was one of the hardest things I have done this year. The action, the suspense, the love, and the pain all were intertwined magically in this well-crafted novel about the early gold rush into Alaska.

Buck, previously the pampered pet of a judge in Southern California, gets stolen from his easy lifestyle and is brought to the harsh lands of the north. Buck doesn’t go without a fight, but soon learns that the law of the land circles around the rules of club and fang, the strongest wins and rules, and man is the strongest, so Buck has no choice but to adjust. Through many trials and tribulations, Buck moves from owner to owner, job to job, all while becoming stronger and smarter. In the flash of a second though, everything changes for Buck when he is sold one last time to a party that has no clue what they are doing and leads the dogs and themselves to a watery grave.  That is, except for Buck, who was rescued by a mountain man living off the land. He finds a new kind of friendship with this man that he has never felt before, but despite his new, peaceful, and almost perfect life, he still feels like some part of his ancestral past is clawing and trying to become real again. He has heard the call of the wild, the call that fills those who hear it with the desire to run though the woods at night, to swim in the fast-flowing streams of the wilderness. He soon starts wandering off from his new companion, often for days at a time. He meets other creatures like him, wolves, and feels a kind of kinship to them that he had never felt to anything or anyone else. So when a tragic incident occurs and Buck loses his only connection to the world of man, he leaves that world, and plunges into the forest to join his wild counterparts. He doesn’t just hear the call of the wild anymore, but when he howls, he makes the call of the wild.

The intense language of the piece and the story being told by Buck made this a very fun and exciting read for me. I don’t want to go all “English essay” on you, but London’s diction really emphasized the strong determination in Buck that you could almost feel through the pages. The story, being relatively short too, was able to hold my interest throughout the whole read. Very few books can do this for me as I have been known to just stop reading after a smattering of paragraphs, but this story started out with an interesting plot, maintained it very well with constant action and excitement that peaked with a gut-wrenching, heart-throbbing and deeply inspiring climax. This book gets my (very coveted) seal of approval, and I would suggest that everyone who reads this review go read The Call of the Wild.

Image courtesy of stock.XCHNG.

'Salem’s Lot

By Stephen King

Reviewed by Alan Nguyen, BCCHS student

"…in the awful heavy silence of the house, as he sat impotently on his bed with his face in his hands, he heard the high, sweet, evil laugh of a child—and then the horrible sucking sounds."

This book, written by Stephen King, is about a novelist named Ben Mears, who goes to his hometown in southern Maine, after being away for 25 years. Ben had the idea of writing one of his books on the Marsten house, a house that sits on top of the hill staring down at 'Salem's lot. The experience he had at that house has kept him from coming back to the town. Everything seems normal at first, but the town's fate is more dreadful than death. The population decreases over time, a man's best friend is found dead, and monsters of the night take over…
It was a great book, it was the first Stephen king book that I have read, and for any student who is looking for a book that is sure to give you chills it would be 'Salem's lot. 


Image courtesy of Joseph Valks / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Stargirl

By Jerry Spinelli

Reviewed by Levon, BCCHS student

Stargirl is a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone. This book in my opinion captures the high school attitude and spirit of teens my generation. Teens like Stargirl, who are unique and outlandish, do get bullied in reality just like in the book, and I think the connection the author makes with fiction and reality makes the book more interesting too. Stargirl is written in such a way that all of us can relate to it, we understand and feel what Stargirl is going through because so many of us have either been picked on or know someone who has. Also, anyone who has just started a new school or is going somewhere new for the first time will also like this book. I like the fact that the character Stargirl symbolizes leadership, and teaches us not to be a follower but to always be ourselves. Because of her great attitude she makes a big impact on the high school, and she leaves a stamp on it for life.

The characters in the book are very realistic to students in high school in today’s age. There is the typical popular rich girl, the jock, the smart guy, a very unique girl, and of course the jerk, because of this most of us can make a much easier connection. I also found the setting to be a little bit weird for a story like this: it takes place in a small high school in a small town in Arizona. In general it’s a very fun book, and once you pick it up you wont stop because of the story's great theme.

Image courtesy of Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Night Hoops

By Carl Deuker

Reviewed by Andy M.

Night Hoops is a fiction book about a boy’s basketball life. He is starting his first year of high school at Bothell High and is extremely excited about trying out for the varsity basketball team. He had already been the point-guard for his middle school, so he is confident, and he spent his entire summer playing at the school's basketball courts, but that was before his dad constructed a full court in their backyard. After it was built, he practiced everyday and only got better. Eventually, he became the starting point-guard for his high school. His first game was great. He scored and had several assists, but the next couple of games were atrocious. This caused him to become a bench warmer, which was unacceptable for him and his father. He then has to work extremely hard in order to earn his minutes again and to help his team win.

This book is recommended to anyone who likes basketball. It is very inspiring and motivational. One can relate to it not only through basketball, but through life as well. Seeing how Nick Abbot and Trent Dawson, the two main characters, worked hard and never gave up made me personally want to be a better basketball player. This is a book that will not put one to sleep and will end up making the reader feel as if it is a true story.

Image courtesy of Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Boot Camp

By Todd Strasser

Reviewed by Anthony Garcia

Summary:

Garrett is a really smart 15-year old that has good grades. He is passing all his classes and gets proficient scores on his tests. But he also has a bad side. Garrett is always disobeying his parents and decides to rebel against them. He decides to smoke pot and date his teacher who is 8-years older. His parents tell him to stop but he doesn’t listen. Garrett’s parents get fed up and send him to Lake Harmony. Lake Harmony is a boot camp. Garrett doesn’t think he deserves to be there once he arrives. But while he’s there, he meets two people that have an escape plan. He considers both the benefits and consequences. The benefits are freedom and the consequences will possibly be life threatening.

Quote:

“You don’t get out by giving them what you think they want. You don’t get out until you are what they want.” –Pauly

Recommendation:

This book is great. Nice story line and everything connects together. It gives the reader a lot to visualize.

Image courtesy of Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher

Reviewed by Diana

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a fiction book about a girl who commits suicide. Before she does this, she releases a box of cassette tapes. In those tapes are the 13 reasons why she came to her decision. To many the truth will haunt them forever. This story is written perfectly in my eyes. It involves many topics teens interfere with today like rape, drugs, depression, alcohol, and suicide. I would assume some parents might not like their kids reading this due to the material. I would recommend this book to teenagers 15 and older. There really is no limit in age to read this book. It will pull in any reader. This book is for people who are into the mystery books. It involves a little secrecy as you connect all the facts and events in the story. You will not be able to put this book down. Once you begin to read it you will not be able to stop. You will always need more, from the first page all the way to the last word. The plot sounds catching. The storyline may seem a little dark, bleak, and cruel but the message it transmits is a very valuable one that many of us learn from through experience. It will show you how the way you treat others does affect them and you really don’t know when the last day for anything is.

Many teenagers think the whole suicide theme is a little played out in books now a days. This book is not only about suicide. It involves many other things that you may also relate to. It also is helpful to many high school students. It helps you to be alert around you with the people you interact with. This book will help you identify some teens that may be in trouble and the ones that doubt their existence here on Earth. It can teach you that no matter how great and wonderful someone may display their life on the outside, they may be crushed and falling apart on the inside.

Favorite Quote: “One…last…try.”

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher

Reviewed by Diego

Thirteen Reasons Why is a non-stop suspenseful book leaving you with chills and a mystery for every tape left behind. Nobody knows why or what the reason was for Hannah Baker's suicide, until one day Clay Jensen, a crush and classmate of Hannah Bakers, arrives home finding a mysteryious box full of tapes in his front porch, discovering he is one of the thirteen reasons why she killed herself. To know why he is one of those reasons he must listen to every tape and pass them around as instructed and follow a map given to him. Even better more mystery and confusion are too come. I give this book a two thumbs up, I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in suspense and have you thinking every minute wondering! It is an excellent outstanding book that will leave you shocked at the end after hearing all thirteen tapes.

Cirque du Freak

By Darren Shan

Reviewed by Matthew E.

Cirque du Freak is a page-turning thriller that is sure to leave readers bloodthirsty for more. There are many plot twists that are sure to chill the spine of even the most brave-hearted. 

Cirque du Freak is the story of your average teenager Darren Shan, who is more than unenthusiastic about how things are going in his life. He simply hates the conformity and wants adventure. So one night when his mischievous friend Steven asks him if he wants to see a freak show, Darren jumps for the chance for excitement. Little does he know that choosing to go to this show will change his life forever.

Throughout this book, Darren is dragged into a centuries long war that no one outside of the vampire society knows about. Will Darren turn the tide of this war against Vampires and Vampaneze? Will Darren ever get a chance to have his first kiss? Or will he turn to an inhumane society and become a full vampire whose only purpose is to be a bloodsucking demon? You can only find out when you read Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's assistant. 

Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member

By Sanyika Shakur, a.k.a Kody Scott

Reviewed by Shanera J.

The book Monster is an autobiography of an L.A gang member, which details his story about his role as a gang member. The speaker expresses what it takes to become dedicated to the gang and also roles in becoming a member of a set (gang). Kody Scott a.k.a Monster entered the gang life at the age of 11. With the support from his brother lil Monster, china and the set, he manages to run the streets representing Eighties Trays. He later struggles keeping his hood (community) stable, distracted by problems that never left him. How will he manage to survive and get out of the situation that he is in; will he succeed?

The quote “can’t stop, won’t stop” is quite interesting. I admire this quote because it can have two meanings, both positive and negative. Positively because you maybe can’t stop ; for example an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Negatively because if you are able to stop and you choose not to, that too can lead to serious issues.

This is a good book in my opinion. I recommend this book to those who are interested in gang life, stories, point of views, and expression.

Chains

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Reviewed by Julian

Slavery is one of the cruelest states that man has ever been in. And for Isabel and her little sister Ruth, slavery is their life. Sold after the death of their mistress, Isabel and Ruth are sold to a cruel couple who are deeply embedded in the British side of the Revolutionary war. Isabel must discover the truth about the war and whose liberty the Patriots are fighting for before she decides whether or not to help them. But when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel must undergo the greatest and most dangerous of tasks to run away to freedom.

This book is a wonderful insight into the world of slavery. It is a way to look into the past, for those who didn’t live it. Isabel is now one of the characters who will go down in history as a truly unique person who fought for herself and her family.

Image courtesy of Nicholas Tarling / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
By Barry Lyga
Reviewed by Rene

    Have you ever read a comic book and right after finishing it, you feel like you can take on the world or at least a minion of some sort? That's exactly how I felt right after reading this novel by Barry Lyga. It's a fictional novel focused around the life of a sophomore at South Brook High, Fanboy. You see Fanboy isn't your normal (if you call it normal) high school student. He's a nerd, a dweeb, a dork, a comic book aficionado, if you would, and because of this, he doesn't have many friends. In fact, he only has one true friend, Cal, and he's constantly scared that he's going to lose Cal to the testosterone-controlled, jockstrap wearing JJ's (Jock Jerks). And to top it all off, Fanboy still can't find a peaceful place to work on his "ticket out" because at home waiting for him is a very pregnant mother and awkward step-fascist. So with his life slowly seeming to go nowhere, he meets Goth Girl—the no BS taking, cigarette smoking, malevolent, strangely cute Goth Girl. With her help Fanboy is finally able to open up a can of reality and realizes that he can have a future. And that's when the trouble starts…

    The reason I got this book was not because the cover was bright and interesting, which it was, or because the summary was just so perfect I wanted to read more. The reason I choose this book was because in the beginning of the book it has the most mysterious quote I've ever read: "There are three things in this world I want more than anything. I'll tell you the first two but I'll never tell you the third." Now can you honestly say that after reading that quote you wouldn't want to read this book too? I picked up this book and didn't put it down. And because I didn't, I ended up finishing the book during the first weekend of my month long English project. So if that doesn't show you just how good this book is, well honestly nothing will.
    I would recommend this book to literally anyone and if you don't know me personally, then I probably haven't told you to read this book already. This book has a bit of everything for everyone and because of this I consider Barry Lyga a terrific writer. But the people I would really recommend this book to are comic book fans. Not only because this book references so many comics that if you don't know any you would surely get lost, but because Barry actually was a retired comic book fan that has turned into a comic book writer turned novelist. So he knows what he is writing about and it is really easy to relate to this book because of it. So to wrap up this review, I say check out the book; buy it if you can. But the most important thing to do is read it, and read it soon.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In Your Room

By Jordanna Fraiberg

Reviewed by Suzana
 
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where."
– Pablo Neruda, "Love Sonnet XVII" 

 In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg is a great book and all the reasons to fall in love are right there in it. It will help you understand what love does to people and how easy it can be to fall in love.

This book is about a girl named Molly, and a boy named Charlie who fall in love with each other when their families randomly switch houses for the summer. So what happens is…Molly stays in Charlie's room, and Charlie stays in Molly's room. They go through a lot of difficult stuff. I found it really interesting how they didn't let anything get between them.

I loved reading every page of this book; therefore, I recommend this book to you if you like reading about loving couples. It will show you how crazy it gets when you love someone you have never met. I hope you will enjoy this book. 


Image courtesy of Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

November Blues

By Sharon Draper

Reviewed by Tyra
                       

Seventeen-year-old November Nelson is beautiful with cocoa brown skin and long, wavy, black hair that flows with the wind, and is one of the smartest kids in school. What more could anyone ask for, right? Well…all of a sudden things began to change when all of her dreams and goals come crashing down on her in an instant.

"What's an eight-letter word that means I've screwed up my life forever?" Can you guess? Yes, she's pregnant. Not only that, something happens to the father of her child. Old friends and new friends are by her side through it all—to help her through the rest of high school filled with trash-talking teenagers.

This story is not only about November, but also about her boyfriend's cousin Jericho Prescott. Jericho is a sincere, fun, trumpet playing, football player who is there the most to help her out and be the father figure in her child's life. The only question is: will he have time to be there for her in the end as he continues the rest of his high school football career?

November's confusing, breathtaking story in November Blues by Sharon Draper will have your eyes locked in amazement. Anyone would enjoy reading this fictional story. You never know what's going to happen next with all its twists and turns. I highly recommend it!


Image courtesy of Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Story of a Girl

By Sara Zarr
Reviewed By Silvia Ramirez
    "Sometimes rescue comes to you. It just shows up, and you do nothing. Maybe you deserve it, maybe you don't. But be ready, when it comes, to decide if you will take the outstretched hand and let it pull you ashore."
Deanna Lambert is haunted in high school by what happened three years ago. She never had the chance to tell her side of the story. Tommy Webber is the one who keeps spreading his side of the story. Her relationship with her father becomes bad. Her feelings towards her best friend Jason are beginning to change. Just about anything you can think of happens to her.
This is a good, realistic fictional book. It shows the hardships of a young girl, and how she copes with them. I think if you are a girl with a bad reputation and want to do something about it or someone who has made some mistakes and is regretful, than is a good book for you.

Forever

By Judy Blume

Reviewed by Ruth Uribe

"Is there a difference between first love and true love?"

Katherine and Michael are seniors in different high schools who are total strangers. They meet at a high school party. They become really close, "but Katherine is in love with love, and Michael is in love with Katherine." Not only do these teens fall in love, their suburban friends do as well. But the real question is… will it last forever?

Forever is a good love novel. I recommend this book for teenage girls who are into love stories. Also for those girls who feel under pressure doing things with their boyfriend that they're not sure about. High school is surrounded by upcoming stuff that you don't see coming. Katherine understands you.

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.