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Post by Jimmy Turner on Jun 28, 2013 15:09:07 GMT -5
The book I choose was the House of the Scorpion written by Nancy Farmer. Matteo Alacran(El Patron) is a drug lord in a futuristic country between Mexico and the US. He has a clone for the benefit of his organs when he needs surgery. The story is told from Matt's, the clone, point of view. When he grows up people treat him like livestock, or dirt. It is about when El Patron has a heart attack and is going to use Matt's heart and how he escapes into Mexico. Then he must escape with a few new friends from a group of people in Mexico and try to figure out if a clone could ever have a normal life.
I choose this book because I heard it was good and it was a Newberry Award Finalist. I thought it was a good book, it has some twists that you don't see coming and a unique and interesting topic. You should consider reading this book if you like action books.
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Post by Ms. Kalmar on Jun 28, 2013 17:51:13 GMT -5
Review of The Fall and The Stranger, by Albert CamusOffering free shipping on orders of $25 or more is probably one of the savviest business decisions the folks at Amazon.com have ever made. Almost every payday I decide to reward myself by buying a book I've really been wanting to read, and almost every payday I end up adding another three or four to my cart to reach that magical threshold. Although I pretend to feel bad about spending more money than I really ought to on (less than) a teacher's salary, really I'm thrilled to death to have an excuse to buy more books. After all, in the words of Erasmus...  Continuing... Albert Camus is one of my favorite authors in the whole wide world. He was a French Algerian and he often gets labelled as an existentialist; he denied that himself but he wrote a whole slew of very deep, borderline philosophical novels that explore the nature of man's existence and the meaning of our human lives, or lack thereof. Not to say that his novels are a total snoozefest -- he's very good at getting his point across in the course of an interesting story, like The Plague, which tells the story of a modern city that gets hit with a nasty bout of the Black Death. Although I've read a good deal of Camus' work, I still needed to read his most well-known novel, The Stranger. But The Stranger alone was all of $9.00, so I threw in one of his lesser known works, The Fall, and I'm reviewing them here together. I enjoyed both of these novels immensely, and I also really appreciated reading them back-to-back, beginning with The Fall. This helped me more clearly perceive and reflect on some of the hallmarks of Camus' style -- most importantly, his use of "unreliable narrators," i.e. people who tell their own stories in the first person, giving you reasons to believe that they are either (A) not being entirely truthful with you; or (B) not in their right mind / not correctly remembering the events they relate. The Fall is written as the first-person confession of Jean-Baptiste Clamence to an unnamed, voiceless stranger (whom we can only assume is a real personage). Clamence is gregarious, eloquent, narcissistic, and absolutely overwhelmed by the inescapable guilt that comes along with being human... this novel is his attempt to make sense out of his life and his personality. But we must always ask... is he lying to us? Is he, perhaps, even lying to himself? And that in turn makes us look at ourselves... in what ways are we lying to ourselves to avoid confronting harsh realities? The second novel, The Stranger, is a first-person account by Mersault, a seemingly normal man who seems, nevertheless, somewhat detached emotionally. He tells the story of his mother's death, his involvement in a violent shooting, and the aftermath of the crime. His perspective and voice is utterly unique, however, in a way that is both fascinating and disturbing. I was convinced at various points in this book that Mersault was (A) innocent and in his own way oddly virtuous; and (B) a sociopath. The coexistence of these two opinions made me reflect deeply on questions about humanity, relationships, and the nature of evil... however, the philosophy in this book is buried pretty deep, and it makes for a fascinating read closer to the surface, as well. You don't have to be a philosophy buff to read Camus, but if you're interested in psychology, questions of human nature, or pondering the vastness of the universe and the mysteries of existence, you should definitely give him a try.
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Post by Kayla Britten on Jul 3, 2013 12:00:57 GMT -5
For my second summer reading novel, I chose to read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It's about a girl named Hazel Lancaster who was diagnosed with stage 4 thyroid cancer at the age of 13, as well as having tumors in her lungs. It's a terminal illness and she's not going to recover from it, but she takes an experimental drug called Phalanxifor that attaches to the cancer and keeps it from growing or slows its growth, buying her a few years. She's mostly a homebody, reading and watching tv at home and never really getting out except for when her mom makes her go to Support Group, where cancer patients and survivors join to tell their stories each week. She really hates going, but she does it for her mom. But one week at Support Group, she meets a boy named Augustus Waters and they start talking. Augustus is NEC (No Evidence of Cancer) and has been for about a year, but lost one of his legs to osteosarcoma. Over the course of the book, Hazel and Augustus fall in love, but I don't want to ruin anything if you haven't read it, so I highly recommend that you do. I chose this book because I had heard so many people talk about how great it was, and they definitely weren't kidding. It exceeded all expectations I had. I really don't like reading and I read all 313 pages in 3 days, and I cried all 3 days. It's a truly beautiful and moving story and I would recommend it to seriously anyone and everyone.
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Post by Christina Bass on Jul 9, 2013 10:41:25 GMT -5
The second book I read was called "Night Hoops" by Carl Deuker. This book of course is about basketball. Nick Abbott likes to play basketball and so does his brother Scott but he quit playing so he can be in the band. So their dad watches Nick more. Trent Dawson likes to play basketball but gets into trouble a lot with his brother Zack. Nick and Trent are enemies but in the end became good friends. Nick and Trent's grades are dropping but fixes them so they can be eligible. Nick's dad gets a basketball court in the backyard. Nick and Trent plays basketball at Bothell High. Nick and Trent are not playing in the tournament because they couldn't afford enough of the players. While the rest of the teammates are at the tournament Nick and Trent play one-on-one on Nick's basketball court.
Before the championship game Trent was in trouble because the police think that Trent was involved with his brother shooting at the ducks. But Trent didn't do it because he was shooting hoops with Nick. At the championship game they won but Trent was at the last quarter. I really enjoyed this book so much!! And I chose this book because I love basketball. Basketball lovers will enjoy this book.
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Post by Ben osborn on Jul 9, 2013 13:58:03 GMT -5
For my 2nd book review, I did Tom Clancy's Operation Barracuda. This is a very exciting book about a spy named Sam Fisher. He works for a secret government agency called Third Echelon. In this book, he has to stop World War Three. A rogue Chinese general is about to attack Taiwan, but the U.S. is against this action. They threaten all out war if china is aggressive against Taiwan. The Chinese solve this by threatening the U.S. with a nuclear strike of they try to stop them. Sam Fisher learns of this plot and tracks the bombs down. In the ending, which is very exciting, he barely defuses the bomb before it destroys Los Angeles and the Chinese lose the battle for Taiwan since the U.S. intervenes. I chose this book because I love action, and Tom Clancy is probably my favorite author ever. I have read a bunch of his novels and I have never been disappointed. I have a very high opinion of this book. I enjoyed it so much that I finished the whole thing in a matter of days. I would recommend this book for anybody, but I would bet guys who enjoy action and war books would enjoy it the most. So if it sounds interesting, you should read it!
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jack
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Post by jack on Jul 14, 2013 14:01:38 GMT -5
Deception Point was a very exciting book. It is an excellent thriller. A believable story unfolding at a very fast pace, with convincing settings and specific military details. Dan Brown describes everything in such detail that you can picture everything in your mind. Not only was it very adventurous, but it was also funny. The humor thats in his writing helps ease the stress of the situation that the main characters are in.
The books setting is in the near future, during a presidential race. Senator Sexton is racing against the former president of the US for Presidency. Sexton is using the recent failures of NASA to help him gain an edge on the president. The story's conflict comes when NASA reportedly finds a meteorite with proof of life on other planets. But when the authenticity of this find is in question, things start to get more and more complicated. This is a really good book, with a twist ending that is the largest deception of them all.
This book is 557 pages long.
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Post by Abby Cerano on Jul 16, 2013 3:02:06 GMT -5
The second book I read was "Burning Blue" By Paul Griffin. This book is about a girl named Nicole Castro. She had everything anyone could ever want. She was popular, beautiful, wealthy, and had the perfect boyfriend. Everything was going great for her! Her life quickly flashed before her eyes one day at school. Someone sprayed her face with acid. Half of her face was burned. Everything quickly began to crumble for her. Throughout this traumatic event she befriends Jay Nazarro. They weren't friends until now. Jay also happens to be a great hacker. After getting to know Nicole he decides he wants to find her attacker. Not knowing just how deep he'll have to search to find the attacker. I think this book was really good and I would recommend it to everyone! Along with being a fiction book it's also a thriller, and it keeps you on your toes! You won't be able to put it down!
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Juliana Lassiter ♥☻
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Post by Juliana Lassiter ♥☻ on Jul 16, 2013 15:15:46 GMT -5
I just read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I think alot of people have seen the movie and a samller amount of people have the read the book. I chose the book because a a few friends were reading it for a book club and they wanted me to join. Also, I saw the movie a couple of years ago and bawled the whole way through it because it was so good. I definitely loved it as much, if not more, as I loved the movie. I cried, laughed, and frowned the whole through! This book is for any teenage girl that likes love, drama, and happiness brought to you only by forgiveness.
Ronnie, has to stay the whole summer with her Dad. Her Mom and Dad are divorced; she lives in New York and her Dad lives in Florida. She's the crankiest kid alive and does not want anyhting to do with either of her parents, especially her dad. Her Dad is obsessed with the piano, while she can no longer stand it. However she does love her little brother Jonah, and remains sweet to him throughtout the whole summer, revealing that she truly isn't such a bad person after all. Throughtout the summer she faces many things. She makes friends, loses them, puts herself into near occasions of sin, and gets framed for stealing. Eventually she falls in love the first time. But with this love comes more heartache than she is able to bare. From this adventurous summer comes one thing she never, ever expected to happen. She learns that her Dad is way more of a person than she will ever be and that through all the things she did to him, he loves her. And she loves him too. She begins to play the piano again while spending every second with her beloved father. Just like her Dad before her, she finally finds what she'd been looking for: God's love.
I tried to avoid giving any spoilers if thats okay, because the book is alot more powerful if you don't expect it coming. It was an excellent book though and I'm so glad I read it. It reminded me of how great my father is and how great the virtue of forgiveness can be.
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Post by Angel Martinez on Jul 16, 2013 19:54:31 GMT -5
Book: The Catcher in The RYE, By. J.D. Salinger
The book the Catcher in the rye was a very good book. It was about a teen age kid named Holden, going threw some problems in his life and in school. The problems were grades family and girls. I will advise everyone to read this book because once you start reading it its hard to put the book down. The reason I chose this book was because my classmates made this book sound very interesting. I really did enjoy this book because it was a great journey threw Holden's life. I would consider this book to everyone of my friends.
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Post by riza on Jul 19, 2013 21:55:59 GMT -5
"The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stweart is about a group of children who are very much out of the ordinary. Because of their unique standings, they are recruited to stop an evil that is spreading from one school. Odd workings are afoot and it is up to these four children to stop it before it overruns the world by means of television and radio. I chose this book because I had heard some good reviews about it from other people in my class a few years ago. Once I started reading this book, I just couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed it because of the pace and the way the characters dealt with what they were given. I recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery that can keep them on their toes. It might be a long book, but it is worth while to take the time for it.
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Post by mikaela on Jul 20, 2013 12:20:53 GMT -5
My AP book that I chose to read was Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Lord of the Flies begins when several boys crash land on an island in the middle of the ocean. At first it’s very civilized creating their own society, even electing a leader among them. They are forced to take on the responsibilities of adults. The group is split into two groups: one who builds the shelters and gathers food ran by Ralph and another who wants to have fun and hunt ran by Jack. As they are marooned on the island longer, their little society starts to crumble. They slowly evolve from being polite and civilized young men to savages. The question is will they survive?
I chose this book because the plot seemed interesting among the ones on the list. I personally did not like this book very much. Unlike other books I’ve read, it was a struggle to get through. It did not have an effect on me like I thought it would. The whole story line was in a way disturbing. Because Golding reveals how salvage humanity can be, I think only middle school and up should read this book.
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jack
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Post by jack on Jul 20, 2013 19:46:49 GMT -5
I read the book The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I read this book, because i like his style of writing and I have heard its very good.
The main character's name is Robert Langdon. Langdon was a suspect of a brutal murder. Although when he sees the body and meets Sophie Neveu, he begins to unravel the string of codes. This becomes difficult as the story continues, because the police get more and more desperate to stop him. Throughout this fast-paced action, Langdon realizes that he isn't just looking for a killer, but a secrete thats been hidden for centuries.
I really enjoyed the book The Da Vinci Code. When I started to read the book, It was really hard to put down. It was exciting and had a great plot twist at the end of the book. Dan Brown really knows how to write good books. This book had everything from car chases, to puzzles, to controversy, to romance, and of course, suspense! It is a good book to think about, and wonder if the ideas in the book could have happened. or how things would have been different, if those few things in our past happened as they said they did in the book.
I would rate this book a nine out of ten. This is because not many books have been this intriguing to think or talk about. Also it was just a fast action book, and those are my favorite types of books to read. I don't think I would rate very many other books ahead of this one, because of everything that this book included. I would recommend this book to anyone my age or older. There is enough violence that people younger than myself should wait, but its always a really good read. I would be willing to read this book several more times.
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Post by John Geffre on Jul 20, 2013 19:49:16 GMT -5
For my second book this summer i chose to read The Son of Neptune by, Rick Riordan. The book starts with Percy Jackson having no memory, except for a single name Annabeth. He is being chased by the Gorgon sisters, Stheno and Euryale, who intend to kill Percy to avenge the death of their sister, Medusa, by his hand four years ago. He escapes and stumbles upon an old 'hippie' lady named June. June gives him a choice he can carry her to the safety of Camp Jupiter across the highway and Tiber River to regain his memory and, eventually, save the world, or he can retreat to the safety of the sea and live a long, happy life. Percy chooses to carry her.
At the entrance to Camp Jupiter, Percy meets two new demigods: Hazel Levesque and Frank Zhang. Percy is taken to the camp, where he is introduced to Reyna, the Praetor of the camp. Reyna seems to know something about who Percy is, but does not allow it to show. The old woman, being carried to safety by Percy, reveals herself as the goddess Juno. Juno reveals to the camp that Percy is a son of Neptune. He is interviewed by Octavian who after consulting the auguries, allows Percy to join the legion. When asked which cohort will take in Percy, Frank and Hazel invite him into the Fifth Cohort. During the Roman War Game, Percy impresses everyone with his natural battle skills. Mars, the god of war, then appears, and informs Frank Zhang that he is his son, and that Frank is to go on a quest and Percy must accompany him so that Percy will learn respect for Mars. Frank requests that Hazel also comes. Percy, Frank, and Hazel are to free Thanatos, the god of Death according to the prophecy Mars had given them.
As the book continues they free Thanatos and recover lost of weapons that should help the Roman camp. On their way back Percy fully gains all this memory back, but when they return, they see that the Camp is under attack. Percy takes charge and leads the Romans into battle. The Romans defend their camp with after discovering that Percy had retrieved the legion's golden eagle. Percy then challenges the giant Polybotes to a duel and the rest of the camp form a circle around the two. Percy eventually defeats the giant after a treacherous battle by smashing Terminus' detached head into Polybotes' skull. The camp is once again in awe of Percy's instincts and skills, and they name him praetor, leader of the Roman camp. Percy collapses from exhaustion later that night, and is confronted by Hera in a dream. She calls him "a loose cannon", but says that he is valuable because he is the glue that will unite the Greeks and the Romans. Percy then talks to the camp about Hera's plan about uniting the two camps. Percy swears on his life that the Argo II will be harmless and Octavian makes it clear for everyone; either they behave or Percy, along with the Greeks, would be killed. At the end of the book, Percy, Hazel, Frank, and the rest of the camp go to await the arrival of the Argo II carrying Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Leo Valdez, Percy's girlfriend, Annabeth, and Coach Hedge. Percy puts one arm around Frank and one arm around Hazel and tells them he wants to introduce them to his other family.
I chose to read this book because i love greek and roman mythology and i love Rick Riordan;s book. My opinion in this book is great and i feel like everyone can enjoy this book
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Juliana Lassiter ♥☻
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Post by Juliana Lassiter ♥☻ on Jul 21, 2013 8:37:38 GMT -5
Just finished a super creepy book called "The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. This was the book I chose to read from the Pre-Ap list and it also was the book we read for Ms. Kalmar's book club. I'd meant to read it a couple of years ago but I'm glad I waited. This book gets pretty deep and pretty gruesome.
A group of boys end up stranded on an island (the island is described as pink throughout the book) due to their plane crashing. The boys knwo they need to stay together, work hard, and find a way to get rescued so they don't die on the island. The island is covered with things that could keep tham alive for a while though; water, fruit, and pigs. When Ralph finds a giant conch shell, the boys determine lea him as leader. They set out on many tasks: making shelters, hunting pigs, making a fire as a signal for passing boats, and avoiding a 'monster' everyone belives to be on the island. All theses tasks slowly become boycotted till a large number of the boys only care about hunting. They break off from Ralph and become savages. Ralph is faced with something he had hoped to avoid: losing his power. Now there is no waty to light the fire and no way to be saved. These boys have to learn to be without the 'grown-ups' and maintain their own rules. There is no order and they stand a very little chance of surviving. Ralph is their only sensible chance.
I didn't hate the book but it wasn't my absolute favorite. At times I got totally lost and wasn't quite sure what was going on. But it was a great book and I recommend it to a teen who likes a spooky fiction that's a little more advanced.
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Post by Ashton Boda on Jul 21, 2013 12:46:55 GMT -5
I read The Lord of the Flies by William Golding for the book club. It was an interesting and sad book about a group of boys who got stranded on an island. They elected a chief, Ralph, and tried to build a form of civilization until they get rescued. Slowly they started to turn to savagery. Jack, the chief of the hunters, wanted to be chief. When he didn't become chief he broke off into his own little tribe. In the end all of the boys turned to savagery except Ralph. The ending was bittersweet because they did eventually get rescued but they would never get the innocence back that they lost during the events on the island.
I read this book for the book club because it seemed like an interesting book. It seemed mysterious and maybe disturbing.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how it showed the struggle of savagery and civilization. These boys went through a lot and some of them still managed to try and stay positive and civilized while others went off the deep end.
I think that if you like books that are gory and a little mysterious this book is for you.
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