Looking For Alaska was a very interesting book. It is about a teenage boy named Miles, who has never really had any friends where he lives in Florida, so he decides to attend his father's old high school called Culver Creek. It is a Preparatory High school in Alabama. As soon as Miles moves in, his life changes. Friends are instantly made between him and his roommate, Chip (who likes to be called The Colonel). Miles is introduced to The Colonel's friends Alaska and Takumi who give him the nickname of 'Pudge'. After the meeting of these people, Mile's life takes a huge turn. I thought this book was very well written. John Green is an amazing author. I thought all of Miles's friends had very strong and intelligent personalities, accept for Miles. The only problem I had with it was the fact that Miles's character wasn't very well developed. I could never really predict what Miles would say, do, or think. All the other characters, however, were very expressive and spontaneous. The story was creative and interesting, but didn't get me hooked until the middle of it. Also, the resolution was too simple. I was expecting something surprising or exciting. I was somewhat disappointed by this factor. Looking for Alaska was not the best book ever, but it did keep me entertained. This book is told through the point of view of a guy, so I think males will see eye-to-eye better with the main character, but girls can read it too. Pick it up at a library or a bookstore! ~Emily
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'Hamlet' is a marvelous play. Most people reading this probably know what Hamlet is, being that is is one of Shakespeare's most popular creations. Basically, in a nutshell, 'Hamlet' is a story of a kingdom that gets torn apart by murder, hatred, betrayal, and revenge. With all the little but necessary ingredients for an intriguing story, 'Hamlet' is a tragedy that will leave you glad you got to experience the magnificence behind William Shakespeare's genius. I basically already stated my opinion on the book so now i have to tell you why. If you have a question on a test, you ask your teacher for help and finally understand the question after talking to him/her. It feels fantastic to understand what you didn't understand before. That's how it is with Shakespeare. It doesn't make sense to the naked eye, but once you dig deeper into the words, you understand more. You have to think. It takes a little while but it's worth it. I had my classmates and my teacher to help me as well though so that also was helpful. I suggest to seek someone to read this book with, like a book club, instead of reading it by yourself. It's more exciting to be able to share a great story with your friends than read it by yourself and have a lesser understanding of it. I loved the development of the characters and how they blossomed through the story. Where do I start… The Fault in our Stars is my new FAVORITE book, yet it gave me so much pain in so many ways. The story is inspirational, funny, insightful, and tragic in ways no one would be able to understand, accept the main characters. Let my start with this. The Fault in our stars a the story of a teenage girl, named Hazel Grace, who is battling lung cancer. She lives a closed life that includes many episodes of America’s Next Top Model, and one book that will change her life. After meeting the metaphorical Augustus Waters, Hazel’s view of love, life, and real happiness will be altered forevermore. This book will both save you and kill you. It will give you new ways to look at life, new reasons to cry, and most of all, new reasons to be thankful for love. If you are up for the challenge, embark in this courageous novel and dive into a never-ending story that you will never forget. Where do I start? This book both enraged me and pulled tears out of my eyes. The last book to the Delirium trilogy was a very complex novel. The story is told by two different point of views. Every other chapter is told by Hana's point of view (Lena's old best friend when she lived in Portland) and Lena's point of view. Lena has embarked on her journey in the wilds with the resistance, but not without Julian. If you haven't read my post on the book before this one in the trilogy, Julian was the son of Thomas Fineman, who is in charge of the DFA (Deliria Free America) in New York City. Lena had brought Julian to the wilds to join the resistance after going through a long journey together. Then, Alex, Lena's first love, shows up out of the blue with anger and jealousy. Throughout the book, we learn new things about Lena and her feelings. Also we uncover the truth between Lena's mother, Alex, and many other beloved characters in this novel. I was entertained by this novel, but disliked the ending. It left me wandering what was going to happen next in Lena's exciting life. I wanted to know what decisions she'd make in the future. This could have been done in an epilogue. Sadly there wasn't one. Although this novel was a partial success, it was no where close to being as terrific as Delirium (the first novel in the trilogy). This inspiring novel is mainly geared towards elementary school but i read it only a year ago so it might not be too young for you depending on who's reading this. 13 Gifts is about a a girl named Tara who has just turned 13, but she has just been accused of stealing the school mascot costume in order to get some friends, she is taken to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin in Willow Falls, instead of going on a summer vacation to Madagascar with her family. What Tara doesn't know is that something BIG is in store for her. I loved this book. It always kept me guessing with what was going to happen next. This book is a spin off of two other books. The first one, '11 birthday's has two main characters who live in Willow falls. The second one is called 'Finally' and is based on a girl who befriends the two main characters of '11 This was an amazing novel! Samantha Kingston is a senior in high school. She's got the football star boyfriend, the popular best friends, the clothes, and the reputation. She's living the high school dream. Until one impossible night where everything goes wrong. The car ride home from the wild party was the last car ride that Samantha will ever take. But soon after the crash, Sam finds herself waking up abruptly to the sound of her beeping alarm clock. Was it a dream? Maybe. This was a heart wrenching novel that TORE MY HEART OUT OF MY BODY!!!!! If you can't tell, I love Lauren Oliver... I've already written three posts from her books... and more to come. OBVIOUSLY I LOVED THIS BOOK! Like Delirium, The beginning of Before I Fall was a bit slow and boring, but (again like Delirium) the middle is where it gets REALLY interesting!!!! I was recommended this book by a close friend (Thanks!) and i am so glad she recommended it because this book made me both laugh and cry! There are lessons to both be learned and taught in Before I Fall. Happy ALMOST spring!!! ~EM I was not particularly fond of this book, although the end did draw me in a tiny bit. The book focuses around a young boy named Matty who lives in a Village called... well, Village! It takes place a few years after The Giver. Matty lives in Village with Seer, an elderly man who is blinded, but is named Seer for his ability to 'see' more than others. Matty discovers a mysterious power he withholds. There are many conflicting events in this novel. One of which, Mentor, a school teacher who has always been a friendly and welcoming man, trades something of himself that is incredible and will change him forever. It is Matty's job to stop all the madness that has become of Village... but nothing will compare to what you will rad at the end. If you like The Giver, you will probably like Messenger. I did not like The Giver, therefore, i did not enjoy Messenger. But everyone is different! Try it if you'd like! The Giver takes place in a futuristic world. Jonas is a 12 year old boy who lives in the Community with his Parents and his younger Sister Lily. Compared to the world that we live in today, the Community is the opposite. Each year you turn older, you are given a new object for entertainment. When someone turns six, they receive a 'Comfort Object'. When they turn 11, they receive a bike. But when they turn 12 they are assigned the job they will take on the rest of their life until they become and elder. Then they will be placed into the house of the old. When you come of age, you are 'Released'. You come to discover many secrets and mysteries in The Giver. I did not particularly like this book. It didn't catch my attention until close to the end. But i also am not the type of person to engage in these types of books often. You may like it! Try it and see what you think! ~EM This was one of the first books I enjoyed that i was forced to read. Shakespeare's Secret follows a young girl determined to solve the mystery behind her historic house. Hero's parents are Shakespeare geniuses! They're obsessed. They even named Hero after a character in 'Much Ado About Nothing'. After learning that there might be a diamond hidden at the core of her house, Hero is determined to find it. With the help of her elderly neighbor and new friend, Hero will uncover the mysteries behind her house, as well as Shakespeare's Secret... I loved this book. It never had a dull moment. From the first page to the last i was on the edge of my seat. The mystery that is uncovered blew my mind. I loved how they solved not one, but two quests. Finding the diamond, and finding out if Shakespeare really wrote his own writing. This book might be a little young for you if you're not usually into this sort of story. I read it in fifth grade but it was still a great novel. On Barnes and Noble.com it says its for ages 10-15 but i think its more 7-12. But if you are a fan of mysteries, Shakespeare, and friendship, then this is a great book to read. |
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