Every Day by David Levithan

Imagine waking up EVERY DAY in the body of a new person! EVERY day! Every DAY! You may wake up a boy, you may wake up a girl, rich, poor, troubled, homeless, gay, straight, a bully or being bullied. That is A's life. He doesn't even have a name; he simply chose A as his name because it was the first letter.

In David Levithan's bestselling novel, Every Day, A has grown used to his ever changing life. If he finds himself in a bad situation, he takes comfort knowing he'll be in another life the next day. Of course, he knows no parents or best friends. He's never felt love. Then one day he awakes as Justin and falls in love with Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. They cleverly develop a friendship then relationship working around A's changing life, every day finding a way to get together.

If you're looking for a quirky read that is very romantic, this will suit you. You'll be drawn into the insights about love and human nature as seen through A's eyes - a beautiful reminder of the power of love.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Num8ers by Rachel Ward

Psychic Powers - Terrorism - Misfits - Fugitives - Romance - Gritty - Foster Child - Riveting - Thriller: All elements to be found in Num8ers by Rachel Ward.

Jem and Spider, are fifteen year old classmates who become friends because they each need a friend. They are both on the fringe in their school, not easily liked by others. Although Jem has kept her psychic power to herself, she is withdrawn from making connections to people because when she looks them in the eye, she sees a date. 12152010 - 3242034 - 6122051. Can you tell what these number combinations are? Look closely for a pattern. They are dates - the date in which the person she is looking at will die. Yes, Jem knows the date of death for everyone she meets. What a burden! Even as she connects with Spider and their friendship becomes a relationship, she knows the exact date that he will die.

While in London, the story's setting, Jem and Spider visit London's Eye Ferris wheel. She notices that several people in the crowd have the same date of death - that day. She tries to make sense of that when suddenly she knows that she and Spider must leave immediately. Within moments, a terrorist attack happens and people are killed. Security cameras reveal two teens fleeing the scene just before the explosion so the police are hot on their trail. Jem and Spider's adventure begins as they avoid capture by the police heading into the countryside. With little food, no shelter, stolen cars, and a wad of cash Spider has stolen, the pair plan their new life.

The thrills will keep you on the edge of your seat. The love will warm your heart. The ending will surprise you. This is a 5 star read so find a copy and enjoy!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

The setting is New York City, 2083. NYC is not what it used to be. Central Park is almost nonexistent. Chocolate and coffee are illegal to own, water is rationed, and crime is on the rise - especially underground crime. Mafia families still rule crime which in 2083, chocolate is the commodity that draws criminal activity and Anya's family deals in chocolate. In Gabrielle Zevin's All These Things I've Done, Anya and Win are star-crossed lovers trying to find moments together. Anya's father is the NYC Mafia boss who has been killed. She lives with her aging, ill grandmother, her mentally impaired brother, and a younger sister. Win's father is the rising assistant district attorney who prefers that they not see each other. While Win's father helps Anya, as a reader, I couldn't trust him. I was concerned that he was always looking out for his best interest under the cloak of helping Anya. At times I wasn't sure that I could trust Win either. Zevin, the author, sets the reader up to question everyone's motive. Trust is not to be found between characters in this exciting read.

There are parallels in All These Things I've Done to The Hunger Games. They both are science fiction stories in a future United States where life has drastically changed. Anya, like Katniss, is a strong character protecting her family and providing for their needs. The love that Anya and Win share is like that shared between Katniss and Peeta. Recently I learned that All These Things I've Done is the first in a trilogy as well - The Birthright Trilogy. I know there are tales to unfold as this well written story continues.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Matched trilogy and interview with author Ally Condie

Author Ally Condie has written the Matched trilogy which includes the titles Matched (the first in the trilogy), Crossed, and Reached which is planned for release in November. She was a high school English teacher before becoming a full time author.

In this trilogy, Cassia lives in a planned society. She never has free choice as the Society has made every choice for her. In Matched, Cassia learns who her lifelong marriage partner will be and that is revealed as she turns 17 and attends her Matched Banquet. Her match is her childhood friend but that happiness is put in jeopardy as a series of events and revelations twist their fate. Fans of Lois Lowry's The Giver are likely to be drawn to Ms. Condie's trilogy of another dystopian society.

Ally Condie recently gave this interview speaking about her love of reading, libraries, and school librarians. And what a beautiful smile she has! I'm even more impressed by this author after listening to her.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Billy sat awaiting his death, a place and time he'd been before. What if life and time weren't linear? What if your life was just a combination of different events which you could travel back and forth through, always in a different order, but always the same; would you ever really die? In the novel Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, the author opposes war by mixing his own facts with fiction in a psychological journey which will warp your mind and leave you asking "what just happened?"

Vonnegut's fictitious protagonist named Billy Pilgrim is a mundane character who lives through World War II and the bombing of Dresden. Vonnegut hides himself within Billy so he may tell his own story in a less invasive way. He creates a strange life for Billy in which he is abducted by aliens to discover what humans don't understand of life. This novel will teach you of life and of death, and make you grateful for the life you have. If you enjoy reading between the lines and reading to your subconscious, then this novel is definitely for you. Don't let the title scare you off, I guarantee it's not what you think.

Reviewed by BHS student R. Wehrly

Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

When two of the most esteemed British sci-fi authors team up, you know that novel will be a good one. That is exactly what happened for Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Following in the footsteps of similar novels like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Good Omens is a distinctly British humor novel that is about the end of the world, and many different people (and otherworldy beings) as the end approaches. I personally liked the book, although I wouldn’t call it perfect.

The thing I liked best was how funny it was. For those of you who don’t know what British humor consists of, it is intelligent pop culture jokes and satire that usually require background knowledge, which means some people don’t find it funny, but the ones who understand it, find it hilarious. As long as you can remember what the 90’s were like, this book should get you laughing from page one until page 366.

My main problem with this book was a lack of deep characterization. There were four main plotlines, and the novel jumps from one to the next seamlessly. While this made the plot intricate, and enjoyable, it really took a toll on the main characters. When you have double digit amounts of main characters, you end up knowing a bit about each, and then a lot about very few. While there were about four well developed characters, there were many underdeveloped characters as well.

While I could go on all day about this book, for your sake as the reader, I will leave it at this: Good Omens is a fantastic story with wit, and a very good story, and a must read for any fan of sci-fi or humor novels. I strongly suggest it if you ever need to read a sci-fi book for a project. If I was to give it a rating, I would give it three and a half paws out of four.

Reviewed by BHS student A. Tucker

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

SPOILER ALERT: The novel Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the third and final novel in the Hunger Games Trilogy. After finding out that district 12 has been demolished by the capitol, Katniss and the other victors saved in the Quarter Quell are taken to the mysterious District 13. There Katniss has to face her demons, and all the while become the face of the rebellion, the mockingjay. Katniss struggles to accept that she may never see Peeta again, and her relationship with Gale grows. After visiting the surrounding districts and finding them run down, it becomes apparent that soon Katniss and the army from district 13 will have to confront the capitol head on. Mockingjay takes them right into the heart of the action, and has many twists along the way. Mockingjay focuses on the introduction of new characters, and takes you deep into their internal battles. The novel in written so that the reader gets a sharp sense of the brutality in war and the tragedy that follows it.

Reviewed by BHS student N. Vincent

I recently just completed the novel Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. People say it is hard to follow up with a third great book in an outstanding series, but this one did not disappoint. In this story, Katniss is relocated to District 13 where nearly everything is underground. The revolution has begun in full force and Katniss has to become the rebels Mockingjay. She and the rebels plan on using television propaganda to help sway the districts and soon have great support. The Capitol still has Peeta taken prisoner and Katniss struggles to focus her thoughts with everything going on. Katniss continues to spend time with Gale as they train for the war and are put on a special mission together with several other rebels. Things start okay, but go wrong the farther into the mission they go. Katniss is faced with the challenge of getting to the Capitol to kill President Snow and still can't decide whether she wants Peeta or Gale, even after what has happened to Peeta. The story explodes at the end with non-stop action to close out the thrilling series, along with a dull and anticlimactic solution to her love triangle with Gale and Peeta. Overall, an outstanding book worth anyone's time!

Reviewed by BHS student A. Vailliencourt

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Within the past year, and even more so within the past month due to the upcoming movie, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, has been getting praise by readers globally. With this hype came my decision to hop on the wagon and read the novel, after all... why not? Boy, am I glad that I did!

Being set in the future where war and dispute split America into 12 districts, the novel begins in a hostile tone. Katniss, an independent sixteen year old girl, adopts the responsibility of taking care of her sister and mother in a destitute society where nothing comes easy and you must fight for everything that you have. In a place where the struggle for survival is almost constant, Katniss learns to think on her feet and do virtually anything to keep her family safe. Along with fighting starvation, the residents of the twelve districts under the age of eighteen must fret and worry about being entered into the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a competition in which two tributes from each district, chosen at random, must fight to the death. What good comes from the games? The winner brings back food and riches to their district. What bad comes from the games? Out of 24 children, one person makes it alive.

At the beginning of the novel, against the odds, Katniss's little sister, Prim, gets chosen for the games. As anger and confusion fills Katniss's head, she willingly volunteers to take her little sister's spot, knowing that if Prim is sent to the games, she will be one of the first to die. The rest of the novel is filled with the love, deceit, hardship, and brutal loss that Katniss must face on her journey through the games. The games force one to abandon virtuous behavior and do anything that one can to keep themselves alive.

This novel is one of the fastest reads that I have ever read... it was nearly impossible for me to put down and always kept me on the edge of my seat! It also uses fairly simple language, contributing to the easy comprehension and fast-set pace. Overall, I would highly recommend this book IF you are over the age of fifteen. Some of the violence can get graphic, and some of the actions performed by the children can seem demoralizing.

Reviewed by BHS student R. Haupt

This book came highly recommended to me by many of my peers. After reading the first few pages, I could see why! I found myself unable to put the book down which happens with very few books for me. Although the characters were strongly developed and the imagery was at its best, the one element of the book that I found the most engrossing was the fast moving plot. As one crucial event was near its finish, the next was just beginning. It was as though I didn't want to blink my eyes in fear that I might miss something, although I knew I could just go back and read it again. I really did enjoy this book! 5 stars Reviewed by BHS student T. Doud Wow. I have heard what a good book this is since seventh grade, and I finally had the chance to read this year over winter break. I can't believe I waited so long. From the very beginning, I was enthralled. The setting, the characters; all of it drew me in. The Hunger Games is set in Panem, which has replaced North America. Every year, this thing called the Hunger Games happens. A male contestant and a female contestant are chosen from each of the twelve districts that make up Panem. After this part of the book starts, be warned: you will not be able to stop reading. The plot of this book keeps you on the edge of your chair. I was laughing at some parts and actually crying at others. I cannot wait to start reading the sequel, Catching Fire. I am waiting until I actually have some time before I start reading it because I know that once I pick it up, I won't be able to put it back down. Every person I have talked to about this book has felt the same way I have about this book, even people who don't normally like to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone, of any gender or age. 5 stars Reviewed by BHS student S Traudt

The Hunger Games: Movie Trailer

First glimpse at The Hunger Games movie. Exciting!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Hunger Games, the movie

I hope you're excited about the upcoming movie based on Suzanne Collins' book, The Hunger Games. The premier is expected in March 2012 but the cast can be seen at this Entertainment E-online article. Based on this cover of Katniss Everdeen, to be played by Jennifer Lawrence, I'd say we're in for a great movie! Doesn't she look exactly like you imagined Katniss to look? She sure does for me.

Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games, will have its movie premiere November 2013.

Read my blog post on the book The Hunger Games.

Read my blog post on the book Catching Fire.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Hunger: A Gone Novel by Michael Grant

I started to read Hunger: A Gone Novel by Michael Grant and realized that I was reading the sequel, so make sure you read Gone first.

The book begins three months after the events in Gone and as the title suggests, food is running out. Sam has been elected Mayor and things aren’t going so well. Tensions between the “muties” and “normals” begin to rise with the prospect of war. Lana “the healer” has moved far away from the town to escape the constant bombardment of requests to heal minor injuries such as scrapes and paper cuts, however, she is still plagued by her memories of her encounter with “the Darkness”. Cain, also weakened by his encounter with “the Darkness”, is suffering from the bombardment nighttime fits of “hungry in the dark”. As “the Darkness” grows stronger, it’s control drives people to do unthinkable acts of insanity that help it to it’s ultimate goal of everlasting darkness there by allowing it to do as it pleases.

If you liked Gone you’ll love Hunger and since both books are incredibly long, it will keep you busy for the third installment, Lies, coming in May 2010.

Review by student Noah K.

Gone by Michael Grant

Well for starters, I ended up reading a quarter of the way into the sequel before realizing that it was the sequel. As I do with all books before reading them, I read the inside cover for a short synopsis to help me decide whether I wanted to read it or not. This one seemed interesting to me so I decided I would try it. As it turns out, Gone, by Michael Grant, is about a town called Perdido Beach that out of nowhere has all of its adults and kids over the age of fourteen disappear. This is in fact where the book actually starts, right after the main character Sam Temple and his class watch their teacher disappear. Sam, his friends Quinn, Astrid, and Edilio, and Astrid’s younger, autistic brother “Little Pete” form a group and work to survive in a world ruled by bullies and without any type of help that adults can offer such as fire departments, police, and government. If things weren’t bad enough, the whole community is surrounded by a giant bubble called the FAYZ (Fallout Ally Youth Zone). Eventually people begin to develop supernatural abilities such as the ability to shoot fire from their hands. Matters get worse when a large group of rich kids lead by Cain, his psychopathic right hand man Drake, and seductive left hand Diana move in to take over.
The book is really engaging and there are a lot of plot twisters that you may or may not expect as well as a few minor “power” struggles all leading up to… Well you’ll just have to find out.

Review by student Noah K.

The Hunger Games, Book 3 by Suzanne Collins

For those of us who have been completely taken in by The Hunger Games series by author Suzanne Collins, our wait will be over August 24, 2010! YES! Amazon.com is posting that as the release date. I have not read anything on the author's website or the publisher Scholastic's website. I'm just very happy to know that Amazon knows! Let the countdown begin.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

2061 Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke

2061 Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke picks up where 2001 A Space Odyssey and 2010 Odyssey Two left off. Arthur C. Clarke continues to explore humanity’s desire to explore and understand the universe around them. The story is divided between two different spaceships. One of the spaceships is called Universe, which attempts to land and explore Halley’s Comet as it crosses through our solar system. The other spaceship, called Galaxy, crash lands on Europa, which revolves around Lucifer, a sun that once used to be the planet Jupiter (the transition of Jupiter to a second sun is the plot for 2010 Odyssey Two). Humankind has been warned by an alien race not to land on Europa. In order to help the crashed ship Galaxy, Universe is dispatched to help. What will happen to the crew of the Galaxy crash landing on an unfriendly and unexplored planet and will spaceship Universe arrive in time to save the crew of the Galaxy? These questions are second to how we, as humans, have a desire to learn and survive despite obstacles that are beyond our control.

Although this is the third novel in the series, the novel is a standalone story. It would help to have read 2001 and 2010 prior to this to understand the references to the alien race, which takes the shape of a Black Monolith and other references to characters. Like many of Arthur C. Clarke’s books, the events are created to provide a backdrop to discuss the important sociological and ethical issues that individuals and mankind as a whole must deal with in order to progress as a society. Clarke includes an accurate account of science in astrophysics and biology. Despite this novel being written in 1987, the science holds up today and is not so much science fiction as science fact now. Overall, a solid read for science fiction.

Reviewed by Mr. Jourden

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Don't get too comfortable thinking that Katniss and Peeta will have life easy now that the Hunger Games are over. No, no, no. Not when the author is Suzanne Collins. In The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire, Ms. Collins takes her readers on another emotional roller coaster. Afterall, this year is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games so these games will be a Quarter Quell - a unique, never-before played version of the game. Those in the Capitol who plan the Quarter Quell have a surprise in mind. Remember, Katniss and Peeta defied the Capitol establishment; they are not happy about that.

If you're like me and have been taken in by these stories, you'll want to borrow Catching Fire from your library soon - but read The Hunger Games first. The citizens of Panem are in an uproar but will they be able to stop the madness of the Hunger Games? How can these disparate regions join together in a revolution? Will they be able to? Some of those questions are answered in Catching Fire but much more is uncertain and lives are at stake.

I've tried to learn when the sequel will be published but since Catching Fire was just released, it may be awhile before we can read about Katniss and Peeta again. You may want to keep an eye on Suzanne Collins' website for updates.

See you at the library!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Just this very moment I finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Now I have a problem. It's going to be 15 days before book 2 is released and that's a long, long time to wait. Do you want to know why? Let me tell you a little bit about this story. Or was it real? Oh, I sure hope not.

Katniss is a spunky 16 year old girl from District 12 in Panem. Her district is the poorest in Panem and she must work each day to hunt and gather food for her family. Panem annually holds a televised competition much like CBS' television show, Survivor. Each district sends a boy and a girl to the Hunger Games. After much fanfare, they fight to the death before a live audience. Your heart will sink when you learn that Katniss is the girl who will represent District 12 this year. The suspense is cutting edge from the moment they enter the arena and the competition begins. It is survival of the fittest at its utmost! Will Katniss have the skills to be the single survivor? What about the boy who also enters the games from District 12, Peeta? How can either of them take the life of the other? Yet that must happen as the Capitol leadership, who arranges the Hunger Games, insist upon a lone survivor.

From the beginning I felt reasonably sure that Katniss would be the lone survivor and winner of the Hunger Games. What I did not expect was how exciting it would be to follow her every move. As with all good novels, I'm longing for more, much more. The author, Suzanne Collins, has written a superbly suspenseful science fiction novel. Thankfully, it is a trilogy. September 1, 2009 is marked on my calendar. I have an appointment with a book store to pick up Catching Fire. What is in store for my heroine Katniss next? I have just 15 days to wait.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Dana is a black woman celebrating her 26th birthday in 1976. She is suddenly transported back in time to the antebellum south around 1820. She finds herself rescuing a drowning white child named Rufus, who is the son of a plantation owner. Throughout the story Dana travels back and forth between current times where she is a modern, independent black woman, and the early 19th century where she is a slave. During the times she is back in the slave era, she still retains her knowledge and experience as a modern day woman and knows what historical events lie ahead. Her ongoing connection to Rufus is confusing to her, until she learns that her very existence depends on her ability to protect him. It sounds confusing, but the author writes so well that it is easy to follow and makes for a very interesting story.
Reviewed by Mrs. Dunaski