Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan

This book is about a kid named Jake Semple, who has been taught to swear his whole life, his parents growing marijuana in their basement, his parents now in jail, and has been kicked out of almost every public school in the state of Rhode Island. He goes to another middle school in North Carolina, but he gets kicked out of there, too. Now he has to stay with the Applewhites and go to thier homeschool, called the Creative Academy, that specializes in (what else) creativity and the arts (there is a poet, a dancer, a writer, two woodcarvers, and a play director in the Applewhite clan, and NO smoking. The plan is that delinquent boy will just go along for the ride, or will he? An unforgettalbe tale of huge heart.
Rating: 15
by Calvin Kocher

by C.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

This timeless classic all happens when a mad Uncle traps his nephew and his nephew's friend in a world of fantasy where all types of things can happen, such as animals talking and magical beings.
There are 6 books in all and everyone of them has a few plot twists and characters that would catch your attention and raise a few questions as to loyalty and pride.
This book is good for people of all ages who like fantasy.

Rating: "bob's your uncle" 10/10 or as some people would give it a 79/10

Post by Luke Hamilton

THR3E by Ted Dekker

A man with a demented past gets a phone call from a man who calls himself Slater saying that he will blow his car sky-high in 3 minutes. 3 minutes later that's exactly what happens.
I would say that this book is exciting all the way through but has a twist that you thought you could see coming but couldn't. I would reccomend this book if you like phycological thrillers and an intruiging storyline.

By Luke Hamilton

Rating 10/10

The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix

The first book in this trilogy is called Sabriel, and is about a woman named Sabriel who can use charter magic, and, with her companions Mogget the cat and Touchstone, must defeat an evil being named Kerrigor. The second book is called Lirael, and the third Abhorsen. These books have great new concepts, ideas, and plots, and feature a distinct kind of magic that doesn't show similarity to those in other books that I've read. The Oregonian gave Sabriel an A, and for once I agree with their grading!
~Carrie G.

Rating: >10/10

Showdown by Ted Dekker

A strange man named Marsuvius Black comes into town and claims he can do anything while somebody saw him kill an old timer by reaching through his eye sockets. There is also a strange experimental monastery in the mountains testing humans to see if evil is something that comes from the inside or outside.
I think this book is a really good read. Very action-packed and raises a few questions about the leaders we have in position.

Posted by Luke Hamilton


Rating 9/10

Bartimaeus book ii The Golems Eye by Jonathan Stroud

Bartimaeus is a Djinni who is summoned by a young magician in the first book, and through a great adventure and much life saving, Nathaniel, the magician, agrees to set Bartimius free and never summon him again. In book two a monster is running rapid and Nathaniel must break his promis and summon Bartimius once again. And thats not all, there is a resistance forming against the magicians and Nathaniel is commanded to catch them. All of this seems to be directed by someone, but who could be doing it. To make things worst, all the ministers in the government seem to be against Nathaniel, so theres no reinforcements coming to back up Bartimaeus. I highly recommend the Bartimaeus trillogy!

Rating 9/10

--Demitri Hopkins--

Life of Pi By Yann Martel

Life of Pi is one of the best books I have ever read. It is packed with action, comedy, and great moral values. Life of Pi is about a 16 year old Indian named Piscine Molitor Patel, he is a devout Christian, Hindu, and Muslim. On his Trip to Canada there is a little problem on the ship and he gets stranded on a life boat with a four hundred pound Bengal tiger. This book is the story of his life.

-Pierce Thieme

Rating 10/10

The Great Tree of Avalon Book 1: Child of the Dark Prophecy by T. A. Barron

This book is the first in a trilogy. It is sort of an epilogue to the Lost Years of Merlin series. When Merlin planted the seed that beat like a heart, it grew, and grew, and grew, creating a new land-- The Great Tree of Avalon. It has seven root "realms" for each of the seven elements. This series is about two adopted brothers, Tamwyn and Scree, and a priest girl named Elli. They must venture through Avalon to find the Lady of the Lake and stop the peril that is falling over the land.

Rating: 9.6/10

-Matt Enloe

The Teachers Funeral by Richard Peck

This bookis a good book for anybody who likes historical fiction. It is 1904 and it follows the story of Russel Culver. He wamts to go out to the Dakotas, but school stands in his way. When his teacher dies of a heart failure during the summer, he hopes that school will be cancelled. Not a chance! Because just as he was getting packed, a new teacher comes. But no teacher is a match for him and his classmates...

-Noah

Children of the Lamp by P.B. Kerr

This book is a good book for fantasy lovers. It is about a pair of twins, John and Philippa, who discover they have supernatural powers. Their Uncle Nimrod comes to them in a dream and tells them that they should come stay with him for the summer. When they do, he tells them that they are actually djenni, also called genies. They then travel to Cairo to stop an evil djinn from getting hold of a number of magical djinni. This a great book.

Rating:11/10

-Noah

The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This is a hilarious, adventurous book. It seems that we humans are not alone in this universe. This book starts out following the adventures of Arthur Dent, a middle aged english man. One morning he wakes up to find that his home is about to be torn down- litterally. Not only is his house about to be destroyed, but his friend Ford Prefect, really a Betulgese alien tells him that the earth is about to be destroyed to make an inter galactic highway. He then procedes to hitch a ride with the president of the universe, being pursued by every cop in the galaxy, visits a number of strange planets, including prehistoric earth, and finds out that the earth is really run by mice. This is a hilarious book that any kind of book lover will like. It has comedy, mystery, adventure, and science fiction.

-Noah

P.S. There are four seqeuls as well.

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale

This book, and its sequel Montmorency on the Rocks take you on a fantastic adventure through Londons underworld in the year 1875. The Anti-hero of this tale is a petty thief who falls while running from the police, only to be rebuilt by the brilliant Doctor Farcett. The same young doctor exhibits him at scientific gatherings. Here he gets inspiration for a string of daring robberies he is to conduct when he is released from prison...the newly installed sewer system.

He takes on two quite different identities--The gentleman Montmorency and his evil counterpart, Scarper. While Scarper steals and robs by night, Montmorency enjoys the highlife by day. It's a perfect plan--But can Montmorency sustain this delicate lifestyle? Read the book to find out more.

9.5/10

Erin K.

Pendragon (series) by D. J. MacHale

This series is a great series because it combines adventure and fantasy. There are many different worlds, called territories. Bobby Pendragon, a 14 year old at the beginning of the story, is whisked off by his uncle to a place called Denduron. There, His uncle tels him about halla, which is every being in every time there ever was. There is an evil demon named Saint Dane, though, who is trying to stop them. This is a good series for ages 8-13. THere are currently 6 books out right now.

-Noah

Rating: 15/10

Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White

This story is about a girl who falls in love with a pig. One day the pig has to go away. While Wilber the pig is gone, Charlotte the spider is working on saving Wilber’s life from the mean Mr. Zuckerman. Can Charlotte save Wilber's life? Read Charlotte’s Web to find out.

A little less than 200 pages with medium-sized type.

9.5/10

Alexandra H-H (Nicholas H-H’s Sister)

The Secret of Platform 13, by Eva Ibbotson

A Harry Potter wannabe. What the world does not realize, it that deep under Platform 13 in one of London’s busiest train stations is an old doorway covered with peeling posters. To most, it is a myth, to others a legacy. Behind the door is a fantastic kingdom filled with an amazing place where humans live peacefully with other fantastic creatures. But when the young prince is kidnapped by a beastly woman named Mrs. Trottle, the job of rescuing him is bestowed upon an ogre, a hag, a wizard, and a fey. Can they rescue the little prince without being noticed by the outside world? And if he is found, what if he does not want to return to the kingdom? Or will the rescuers simply crack under the pressure?

A little more than 200 pages with medium-sized type.

8.5/10

Nicholas H-H

Sasquatch, by Roland Smith

A quick read about a boy named Dylan. His father had always been a little bit strange. He always begins “tinkering” with and random topic, then abruptly picks up a new topic in its place. When Dylan’s mother goes to Egypt to get experience in archeology before getting her Ph.D., Dylan’s father has been acting fairly regularly. All of this changes once his mom is one the plane. He takes Dylan to a meeting about the legendary Sasquatch. When his father decides to pay a great deal of money to join an expedition to go looking for the Sasquatch on the active mountain of Mt. St. Helens, Dylan swears to follow him. He seeks the help of a mysterious Mr. Johnson. However, it will take Dylan a matter of time to uncover Mr. Johnson’s secret.

A little less than 200 pages with big type.

8.5/10

Nicholas H-H

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman

Stravaganza: City of Masks is the first in a trilogy of adventures between two dimensions. In the first book, a boy, Lucien, is sick with cancer. When he finds a marbeled notebook from Venice and sleeps while holding it in his hand, he is whisked away to a place that is similar to Italy but 6oo years earlier. The city he lands in is Bellezza, an equivlant to Venice. There he has adventures that he would never have dreamed of, and some almost taking his life. I think this book is great for people who like to read fantasy/realistic fiction.
Rating: 10/10

By Tanya Talkar

The Great Tree of Avalon by T.A. Barron

This series is a follow up series to The Lost Years of Merlin and it is really good, and in my opinion, better than The Lost Years of Merlin. It is about a boy named Tamwyn who is kind of clumsy, but strong, and he gets dragged on a quest to protect the tree of Avalon (which all the people in the land live on, it is Fincayra's successor). This is a really good book, but if you haven't read The Lost Years of Merlin, then read that first. The first two books, Child of the Dark Prophecy and Shadows on the Stars are out, and the third, The Eternal flame, he just released. All in all, a great series.

Rating: 10/10

By Jackson Poulos

The Sea Trolls

This book is about a boy living in a mystical 6th century. When his sister gets captured by the terrifying northmen, the boy, Jack, alows himself to be captured with her. The leader of the northmen finds out that Jack is a bard he presents him to the queen. The queen takes Jacks siter, and in order to rescue her he has to cross into Jotunheim, a land full of trolls and where everything is more dangerous. This is a good book who likes fantasy/adventure.

Rating10:10

-Noah

The Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Trilogy is a series of books that have a boy named Eragon as the main character. The first book, Eragon, starts when Eragon finds a "rock" while hunting. When he takes it home, though, it hatches into a dragon! After his uncle was killed by some things that were hunting him, he flees with his dragon, and a storyteller named Brom, not knowing that he is soon to face almost infinite evil. Eldest is a continuation. The third book is coming out soon.
Some Inheritance websites are:
http://www.alagaesia.com/
http://www.shurtugal.com/
by Calvin Kocher
Rating: 20

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

This is a book about a boy, Percy Jackson, with dyslexia and ADHD who discovers that he is a half-blood. He is the son of one of the Greek gods or goddesses and once he discovers this, he goes to a camp for other half-bloods. This book is very good because it is a fresh plot and storyline combining mythology with the modern world. The writing is very good first person narration and the story never gets dull. There is a second book out (The Sea of Monsters) and the third is coming out in 2007.

Rating:10/10

By Jackson Poulos

The Fires of Merlin by T. A. Barron

Third in the Lost Years of Merlin series, the author has imagined Merlin the Magician's childhood before he entered the King Arthur story as an adult and a wizard. They really don't have anything to do with the Arthur legend, but they are fun fantasy stories. This one has dragons, dwarves, people who can turn into deer, a hag, magical gems, and much much more. It took me a little while to get into the story, but by the middle, I could hardly stop turning the pages. The author has a new book set in Avalon (I believe) and is speaking on Thursday, 11/9, at the Borders in Bridgeport Village at 7 p.m.

Rating 9

by Ms. R.

Homeland by R. A. Salvatore

Homeland is the first book in an expansive (but very good) series. This book follows the adventures of dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden as he struggles to survive in the world of the evil drow. He becomes known as one of the drow city Menzoberranzan's best warriors, but Drizzt doesn't want to kill. His heart is light while the other drow's are dark, and he stuggles to hide that secret. But soon his family find out, and on top of their wanting him dead, a conspiring house seeks to kill him to sate their vengeance upon House Do'Urden. Now Drizzt's only choice is to leave Menzoberranzan... but it won't be easy to escape his pursuers.
I liked this book for its humor, characters, writing, and plotline. It's set in a world of primarily black and white with a few shades of grey, but the point of view these books are written in blurrs that distinction. They're really good, and I recommend them to anyone who enjoys high fantasy, amazing battle scenes, and evil stuff.

Rating: 10

By Carrie Gonzalez

The Rangers Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

This is about an orphan named Will who dreams of becoming a knight, but he is too small, and gets apprenticed to a Ranger, a mysterious person that is an expert with arrows and knives. This book has adventures for Will and the reader beyond their wildest dreams.
Rating: 15
by Calvin Kocher

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

This book is about a story that comes alive. A girl Meggie tries to stop an evil villain, Capricorn. Everything in her life changes. I think this is a great book because it pulls you in with its fantasy.

Rating 10/10
by Justine Nguyen

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

The Amulet of Samarkand is about a boy living in a modern day London, with one twist-it is a world with demons and magicians. The boy, who's name is Nathaniel, is an apprentiec magician who has been humiliated by another magician. To get revenge, he must summon the quirky yet dangerous demon, Bartimaes. In doing so, he uncovers a sinister conspirisy.
Rating: 8/10

-noah

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Naomi is a girl in the fifth-grade who lives in a trailer with her grandma and her younger brother, Owen. Her life stays pretty normal until one night when her mom suddenly shows up at their doorstep. Skyla, Naomi and Owen's mom, expects her children to forget about their complicated & depressing past and immediately accept her as their mother, but instead, she stirs up a lot of trouble for everyone. If you've read Esperanza Rising and you like it, I'd recommend this book since their stories are somewhat the same, and they're by the same author.

Rating: 10/10

Alison Wong

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

Dragon Rider is based in a roughly modern world, although it doesn't matter too much since most of the book takes place in a humanless environment. It covers the exploits of Firedrake, a young dragon who is forced out of his home valley by the ever increasing human population. He sets out on an epic quest to dicover the "Rim of Heaven," an ancient dragon haven that the humans will never dicover, all the while escaping an ever lurking evil entity. Dragon Rider is a new twist on an old topic, and an interesting read. There are a few repetative plotlines, and you can generally guess what's going to happen next, but overall, it's a great book.


Rating: 9/10

-Jake Kane

Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

I would've made a post for the whole series, but there is too much to say about each book for that. Anyways, Warriors: Into the Wild is about a housecat--or kittypet--named Rusty, who dreams of living in the forest by his home, despite his friend's warnings of savage wild cats who dwell within. One day, though, he makes up his mind and finally runs away from home to live in the forest. He soon finds himslef invited to join Thunderclan, a clan of wild warrior cats. He joins, and soon becomes Firepaw, an apprentice training under the Clan leader Bluestar's mentoring. Many don't trust this former kittypet at first, but it isn't long before he proves he may well be the bravest cat in the Clan...
I absolutely LOVE these books, and think that this book is spectacular, and the rest of the books are even better! The Warriors books are great for all who like cats, [somewhat gorey] battles, and/or just a good page-turner.

Rating:12

By Carrie Gonzalez

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle is a great book. It's about a girl and her voyage from England to America. She is traveling by herself because her accompanying families didn't show up. She is stuck in the middle of a rebel crew and an unfair captain. Read and see how her decisions end up affecting the crew and the captain.

Rating 8

by Rachel Mackay

Congo by Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton has done it again! This book is full of awesome suspense, nice adventure, and the Crichton blood and gore. It is the perfect version of the classic story of the expedition team searching for a lost city. It is a must read for all Crichton fans and non-fans alike.

Rating 10

by Brandon Carlson

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

This is the latest addition to the Artemis Fowl series, and the only one that has caused me to read straight for 5 hours without stopping. It is the best book in the series, in my opinion, and comes right after the third book chronologically. Artemis Fowl's old enemy, Opal Koboi, has come out of her self-induced coma, and now is attempting to get revenge on the LEP and Artemis Fowl. I recommend it to everyone.

Rating 10

by Howard Chung

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques

This book is about a boy named Ben and his dog called Ned, who were on the Flying Dutchman when the angel cursed it. They were cursed with eternal life, but did not have to sail the seas forever with Captain Vanderdecken and crew. They have many (inland) adventures together, but can never stay in o ne place for very long. The Angel's Command is the second book in this series, and continues their adventures.

Rated 10

by Lydia Simmons

Children of the River by Linda Crew

Great story set in Oregon of a Cambodian family who survived the "killing fields," an episode mose kids have never heard of, even Cambodian-American kids, whose parents don't like to talk about such traumatic memories. The conflict between the younger, more American generation and the older "survivor" generation is well done, with the reader sympathizing with both sides before the story's over. I cried (that means I liked it!).

Rating 9/10

by Ms. R.

Invitation

You are invited to write short book reviews/recommendations for your fellow Summarians. Give us a very short plot overview but don't give away too much because others will want to read the book, too. Then give your critical review of whether or not you think others would enjoy the book and why. Maybe indicate what type of reader would like the book; i.e. "If you like. . ., you'll like this book." Comment on the author's writing skill and style. Last, assign the book a number between 1 & 10, with 10 the highest rating. I'll post a few previous reviews by Summa students a couple of years ago so you get the idea how to write these. Have fun and happy reading!

Ms. R.