Steel by Carrie Vaughn

In summary STEEL is about a girl named Jill who is really into fencing, during a competion she lands fourth place and is disapointed with her self because she can no longer go to nationals. What disapointed her most was that it was a mere 3 second difference. Her family takes a trip to a Caribbean beach where Jill can not forget her compition. On the beach she finds the tip of a sword, falls off a boat and is trasported over 100 years back in time to the time of pirates. Once there Jill is lost and confused, left with no choice to sign up on Majory Coopers pirate ship. From there, her adventures begin. From scubbing the deck to fighting pirates and rescuing slaves, this novel is jampacked with action that will have you sitting on edge. Not to mention a bit of a romantic touch just to make things interesting.

Rating: Awesome

- Aman, Stoney Creek

Legend by Marie Lu

Day is a 15-year-old criminal mastermind. All of his criminal efforts are focused on sabotaging the Republic, a country that he is not proud of. June is a 15-year-old prodigy well on her way to becoming one of the government's highest ranking officials. When she is put on Day's case, she will do anything to catch a ruthless criminal. But perhaps he is not so ruthless after all.

Rating: Awesome

- Kristen, Waterdown

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I loved this book I was not sure at the beginning and it was predictible but I thought it was great. Cinder a cyborg in futuristic New Beijing is the best mechanic there is but an outcast. As her world is struggling against a rapidly growing fatal disease she must help prince kai resist against the evil lunar queen and discover her own past and importance.

Rating: Awesome

- Elia, Saltfleet

Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Alyson Noel

Rio and her family just moved to New Port beach. It was the first day of school, for Rio that is. But she was running late. Her mom thought that would be a good thing so all eyes would be on her when she walked in but Rio didnt want all of the attention. On her first day her mom wanted Rio to wear mini skirts and tanks but Rio wanted to wear an old t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Rio made friends with two people named Jas and Mason but after a while her new friends Kristi,Jen Jen and Kayla thought she was with the wrong group of people until Kristi, Jen Jen and Kayla push her into doing new things such as drinking, drugs and hooking up. To find out more you should read the book.

Rating: Awesome

- Mackenzie, Saltfleet

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Underworld was an amazing book. Meg Cabot is a brilliant author and this book showed that. Although this book was not as good as the first book in the series Abandon it was still a great book to read. I loved how this book was about mythology and was a modern take on the myth of Persephone. The characters in this book were realistic and likeable. The main idea from the first book continued into this one but more details such as John's past, and more conflicts and characters were introduced. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Rating: Awesome

- Alainna, Terryberry

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

A book about a 15 year old girl living in England named Georgia Nicolson. She writes in her diary about all she is going through in her life. Georgia, her family and friends all go through some pretty funny things throughout the year. I really enjoyed reading this book :)

Rating: Awesome

- Claire, Sherwood

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I think that Cinder is a great retelling of a classic fairy tale, for modern day children. The moon cleverly makes use of a dystopian world and outer space. This book is great for everyone of all ages with robots, a love story, and extraterrestrial life. 

Rating: Awesome

- Luke, Carlisle

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The story is about a young boy in India whose name is Pi. Pi's dad works at a Zoo and takes care of animals. Pi loves animals except the tiger, which his dad has told him to beware of. Unfortunetly, due to the government's roles, Pi's family escapes India and go on a ship to Canada.Pi's dad and mom as well as his uncle board the ship with most of their animals from the zoo. On the trip the ship sinks, causing Pi's parents and uncle to pass away on it. The only survivors are a hyena, and a tiger. Due to the hugerness throughout the journey on the lifeboat, the tiger eats the rest of the animals. Causing it to be just the tiger and Pi left. The book is all about the Tiger( who is later named by Pi as Richard Parker) and Pi. How they overcame their fear of each other, and how they worked as a team which leads them to survival. It is a great book about friendship and how the power of friendship can change your life when you least expect it to.
I thought the book was very interesting. The book brings up the idea that the truth isn't always what happened. Everyone makes their own version of what happened to Pi. This creates confusion, and prevents Pi's version to be known.

Rating: Okay

- Naomi, Dundas

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend is an amazing book! I have not read a book that is like Legend. It is unique, captivating and just plain awesome! I love all the characters in the book. Not only were the main characters June and Day well written, the supporting characters such as Tess, Metias, John and Thomas were also written extremely well. The plot of this book was different and kept me wanting to read more. I liked how June and Day were from two completely different worlds but they still came together despite their differences. This was a fantastic book and I highly recommend it.

Rating: Awesome

- Alainna, Terryberry

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

August is a normal 10-year-old boy with an abnormal face. Because of the various surgeries and procedures he has had done, he has been home schooled until the fourth grade. Now, he is entering school for the first time, and he is not so sure about it. Despite being assured that people will be kind, he is not certain that people will want to be friends with "the deformed kid." He is going to be proven wrong. An extraordinary tale of friendship told from six unique perspectives.

Rating: Awesome

- Kristen, Waterdown

Lovely Complex by Aya Nakahara

This manga (japenese comic book) is about 2 highschool students Risa who is 5.8 and taller than most girls and Otani who is 5.2 who is shorter than most guys. Risa swore to never fall in love with a guy shorter than her to avoid heartbreat and the same for Otani but instead shorter, no one taller than him. The funny thing is, is that they end up falling for each other. This book is about their day to day lives as they both stuggule to get over they height complex and love who they love. It is an extremely funny book, everyone will who likes a good laugh will love it. I was laughing throughout the enitre book, and it's approprate for all ages as long as you can read.

 Rating: Awesome

- Aman, Stoney Creek

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

After breaking up with Ed, the dreamy, jocky, basketball star, Min begins to put her life back in order. Step one is getting rid of any and all mementos from her relationship with Ed, which she is accomplishing by dumping them in a box on his front porch. But not without explanation. One by one, each object is given a story, which becomes the tale of their romance, and ultimately explains why they broke up.

Rating: Okay

- Kristen, Waterdown

Death Cure by James Dashner

In the finale of the mazerunner trilogy, Thomas attempts to topple WICKED once and for all. However, in the process he finally learns what has happened to the world since the flare. This book does an admirable job of fleshing out the harsh realities of a post-apocylptic earth, despite only taking place in the American Midwest. The action scenes are also well-written and the novel runs along at a brisk pace. On the downside, there seem to be some editing errors, and the characters don`t really flesh out. I would`ve loved to learn more about them, but this novel is all about the broad story and toppling WICKED. Still, I found it an enjoyable read, and no worse than the first two books in the series. I would recommend it to fans of the Hunger Games or other dystopian series, but I don`t think it`s a must read.

Rating: Okay

- Tyler, Kenilworth

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

In summary this book is about a girl named Kaylee who is living with her Aunt and Uncle because her mother is dead and her father is somewhere else. She goes through high school unaware her true heritage until her "panic attacks" get worse. Her Aunt already put her in a hospital before and if wasn't about to happen again. With the help of her new found boyfriend she discovers she is acualy a banshee and so is her boyfriend. She is ectatic to learn that she isn't crazy which was her first conclusion/ reason for the "panic attacks" But then students start droping dead for no reason and she's the only one who knows why. With the help of her Uncle, father, boyfriend, and her boyfriends brother they solve to case and put an end to who started it. This book is suspence filled and full of a romance that will get your heart beating.

Rating: Awesome

- Aman, Stoney Creek

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This book is about a sixteen year-old girl named Cinder. Cinder has a stepmother and two stepsisters, one of which is her best friend. Cinder is not a normal teenage girl, she is a cyborg. If that didn't already make her unwanted and an outcast, Cinder discovers something else that makes her more of an outcast than she already is, and puts her life at risk. In this book Cinder experiences many challenges and difficulties such as her stepsister contracting the deadly plague that is destroying Earth, trying not to reveal she is a cyborg to Prince Kai, and dealing with a huge secret that turns her whole life upside down. Cinder is a futuristic version of the story of Cinderella. I did not get a strong Cinderella feeling but I did see some charcteristics in this book that followed the original story. I really enjoyed Cinder's character. I felt she was a strong female character. I loved the plot of this book, the characters, and how the s tory developed. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait till the second book in the series is released.

Rating: Awesome

- Alainna, Terryberry

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Maya lives in a secluded medical research town in British Columbia. She and her friends are still mourning the mysterious death of their friend Serena. No one is sure why she died, and no one can explain the sudden interest that the local cougar population has in Maya. When a new boy, Rafe, shows up in town, he may have the answers that Maya craves. Rafe may also be able to explain the significance of Maya's paw print shaped birth mark, a mark that he shares. Maya must join Rafe on the search of their past in an attempt to save their futures.
Rating: Awesome

- Kristen, Waterdown

The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

In this book, the Baudelaire orphans were sent to the Squalors, for protection, by Mr. Poe, because(obviously) he can't provide enough care for them. While they were in the apartment, they were told to climb the stairs as the elevator is out of service. After the orphans climbed a 66-storied apartment(that time they lost their count) and reached the Squalors' penthouse, the couple saw them exhausted and Esme fed them with aquatic martinis, which they're not alcoholic.

Whenever Esme talks about stylish stuff, she uses the word "In", while for outdated stuff "Out".One day, the orphans and Jerome went out for dinner and suddenly saw an auctioneer named Gunther, which is disguised by Olaf (the Baudelaires knows that) and he disguises the way he speaks by using the word "please" in the wrong.
[spoilers!!]
Next day, the orphans decided to go into the elevator, which they discovered a missing elevator shaft, and they had to go down, using Violet's invention, which took 3 hours, and discovered the Quagmires (Duncan & Isador) in the cage. while the tried to escape the Quagmires out of it, Count Olaf found them out, snatched them and escaped out. After they came up they told Esme about what they discovered about Olaf (can't write anymore)

Rating: Awesome

- Rahma, Barton

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Amir and his Hazara friend, Hassan, were born in the same country, Afghanistan. Then, forty years, Amir and his dad are fleeing from Afghanistan to Pakistan because Soviets invade Afghanistan, killed many people. Next, both of them took their journey to America to be settled.

Rating: Okay

- Mohammed, Barton

She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

Ally Ryan was just a normal girl until her dad made a huge mistake in the stock markets with not only their own money but also all her friends parents, this huge loss was the reason they had to move the reason her dad disappeared, and now they have to go back, her mom is hoping everything will be normal again, but all her friends hate her now. I was quite a struggle but eventually she starts to get along, even if it isn't with the cresties (a nickname for anyone on the crescent, all the rich kids, where she used to live).Its the story of her struggle, some romance and many betrayals.

Rating: Awesome

- Gurlin, Red Hill

Need by Carrie Jones

An overview of this book is that it's about a teen who moves to Maine to live with her grandmother because her stepfather died. Oddly enough the man she sees back in her hometown somehow is in Maine stalking her, and if thats not weird enough he's actually a pixie king that happens to be her birth father. Her grandmother ends up being a shapeshifter thats a tiger, and the cutest guy ends up being a werewolf who falls for her. This book was amazing and had me hooked on the first chapter. Its something everyone who enjoys a good out of the ordinary book would love.

Rating: Awesome

- Aman, Stoney Creek

Rules for Secret Keeping by Lauren Barnholdt

The book, Rules For Secert Keeping, is about how to keep a secret. The characters also share secrets. One secret is how this girl Samantha always got confused as a boy because everyone called her Sam. So in kindergarten she had to sit beside this guy Eric and he stared balling his eyes out because he had to sit beside a girl and that made Samantha cry as well. The characters names are Samantha, Eric, Taylor, Dad, Emma, and Charlie. I recommend this book to everyone. It's awesome and teaches you good rules for secret keeping.

Rating: Awesome

- Adrianna, Sherwood

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

It was a very good sequel to the Gathering. I loved how she's tying her first series into it. It was very suspenseful, i couldn't put it down, she does her first change into a couger and she isn't having any mental disabilities like Annie, so everything is going well untill she finds out that St.Cloud's has sold them to the nasts!!!! Hopefully there are less betrayals than there were in the first series but so far it isn't looking good. I would recommend this book to anyone who like a good adventure/mystery.


Rating: Awesome


- Gurlin, Valley Park

Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines

This book was awsome and attention grabbing. All I did was read until I finished it. It felt so real sometimes I wonder if that stuff actually happened because it seemed to have a well placed background.

Rating: Awesome

- Elia, Saltfleet

Hooked by Catherine Greenman

This book was about a teenage girl (16-18 while the book went on) , Thea, who ends up getting pregnant with her boyfriend, Will. But during all of this she gets hooked on crochetting. She starts crochetting bikinis which ends up being sold for $300 a peice. When baby Ian is born, there is an accident and Will decides it would be best to put him up for adoption. Knowing this is never going to happen, Thea packs up to move in with her father to take care of Ian. Everything works out well in the end, Ian is not impacted by the accident, Thea and Will are on speaking terms, Thea's father is involved with raising Ian, and now Thea has a source of income with her Crochet Bikini business. This book is a quick read and overall an enjoyable book. Something good to just sit around read while you're at a cottage or something.

Rating: Okay

- Cassidy, Red Hill

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

This is the sequel of I am Number Four. I liked both books but I was especially pleased by this one. It follows the stories of Number Four, John Smith who is on the run with Six, Sam and his Chimaera in the USA and Number Seven, Marina who is living in a monastery orphanage in Spain. There is a lot more action and suspense in this book compared to the first one. More of the members of the Garde meet and they appear to be getting stronger. The worst part of the book was the cliffhanger ending. I can't wait for the third book!

Rating: Awesome

- Katy, Saltfleet

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

Okay, this great review has some spoilers at the end, so I've put them past the 'spoiler alert' warning. If you want to read it, don't go any further! - Kat

My first impression when seeing that a book is a translations is that it will probably not be as good as the original because some of the author's descriptions will be "lost in the translation". Usually, the sentences are very choppy. This book, however was very interesting, and i would say it should be made into a movie, but they may not do it justice and that would be just wrong. The story is about how, in the future, a corrupt NASA is sending 3 teenagers to the moon to attract publicity and gain funding for more trips. What they do not tell the world is that there has been strange creatures called doppelgänger discovered on the moon, who kill human and mimic their appearances exactly until they can kill more humans. The whole history of moon space is a lie. The story begins telling how the three teenagers, Antoine, Mia and Midori are the reluctant winners of the lottery, telling their stories and why they finally agree to come on the moon mission. They are then each creepily warned not to go.
[spoiler alert!!]
The do not listen and not far into the mission, the equipment is failing and they try desperately to save themselves and each end up dying. The end is really like a thriller,and you literally fly through the pages. All your fears- abandonment, claustrophobia, fear of monsters, fear of the unknown, fear of death, are all crammed into this book. It may not seem creepy or real here, but it is very creepy in the book, especially because the victims are killed by mean versions of themselves. In the ending, the doppelgänger come to earth and the doppelgänger of the teenager Mia, who went to the moon, kills her own family and starts the apocalypse.

Rating: Awesome

- Yvette, Barton

Debt-Free U by Zac Bissonnette

This is a great book about how to graduate university debt-free. Zac Bissonnette draws on his personal experience as well as his knowledge as a financial writer and investor. The advice in this book is a great way to familiarize yourself with how to avoid debt. There are some discrepancies because the book is about American universities, and we have different systems in Canada. However, he had good things to say and it was definitely worth reading.

Rating: Awesome

- Kristen, Waterdown

Dare to Dream by One Direction

Dare to dream is a biography written by One Direction, telling us about their adventures of being in a band traveling the world together. The band is made up of five people. Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Harry Styles. Four out of the five boys are British and Niall is Irish. Together they share their own story about being on tours, traveling the world, their concerts, pulling pranks on each other, talking to fans, their personal life, and just having a good time. If your a fan of One Direction I would recommend this book for you.

Rating: Awesome

- Mackenzie, Saltfleet

Alexandria of Africa by Eric Walters

This is a great book! I couldn't put it down! It talks about the journey of a rich spoilt girl Alexandria, who is forced to go to Kenya to work for a charity. She tries her very best to slack but that experience completely changed her as she makes friends with an African girl and helps deliver a baby! Alexandria realizes there is more to the world than just money.

Rating: Awesome


- Swati, Barton

Reviews for Summer 2012

Reviews are starting again this summer! If you'd like to submit one, click here! We welcome both youtube reviews and written reviews this year. W00t!

Wake by Lisa McMann

During this book I thought of who I would want to be. While I was thinking about that it really helped me understand what some of the characters are going through. I would like to be Janie because she can into other people’s dreams if someone is dreaming close by her and she can help people fix their dreams into something happy and not scary. Some of the bad things about her ability are she can’t drive because if she does and someone is sleeping in a close to her she could fall into the dream and that could cause an accident, also sometimes the nightmares are really bad and if she falls into it there is no way to wake her up and she could hurt herself because she does not know what she is doing. Another reason I would want to be her is because she is kind and her best friend is helpful but the downside to all of this is that because of her gift she will soon be blind and her hands will not work anymore also her mom is a drunk and s he doesn’t know who her dad is because he left before she was born and he never knew that he had a kid.

~ Avani J, Stoney Creek

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe, by Anna Godberson, was amazing. I loved it. The historically accurate details set the tone for the plot line filled with backstabbing friends, scandalous rumours, and forbidden love. The characters were so loveable, I loved it all.

~ Sydney G, Locke

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

I saw that this book was one of the teen reads for the summer, so I picked it up. The general idea of the book sounded good, but I didn't expect much. I ended up finishig this book in a day. I LOVED it. It's the prequel to the Mortal Insteuments series, so now I want to read those! The story gets your attention form the beginning. I loved how Tessa was such a strong independant charchetr, yet Will was always saving her from the dangers of Downworlders. The love triangle was really good too, and the fact that Tessa can change into sombody else was also so cool. the book was a bit confusing at parts, and some minor plotlines were confusing. Ther fact that the book is set in a different century is really cool, because it gives you a new perspective. the end left me a bit confused; the conversation between Tessa and Will. But it left be hooked for more. Will Tessa and Will get together or will it be Jem? I'm SO glad I ended reading this book!!

~ Kirsten F, Valley Park

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver is a romantic, adventurous, breathtaking book about the love between Grace and Sam. Though loving each other so much, they could not be together because of Sam being a wolf. For years Sam would stare out of the forest at Grace, wanting to be with her. Sam would change to human every year, making it able for them to meet, yet Sam never met Grace. This is Sam's last year to change human, and his last chance to be with Grace. A suspenseful, page turner that will keep your eyes locked in the book. Read in one sitting. Can not wait to get the sequel- Linger. A great read!

~ Chantelle P, Waterdown

King Lear by William Shakespeare

The melancholic tale of a fallen king explores many fascinating and deep themes. Learning the true qualities of Lear's eldest daughers as well as the innocence of the pure Cordelia, Shakespeare reveals the disraught of parents due to the evil intentions of their children. The fabulously written play by Shakespeare can be considered one of my favourites and a classic that everyone should enjoy at least once.

~ Lexy Z, Terryberry

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

I loved this book! It was amazing. I was really eager to read it after finishing the Darkest Powers trilogy. I love how the author kind of tied in parts of the the plot from the Darkest Powers books, while still letting this book have a stand alone plot that anyone can enjoy. I am really looking forward to the next books, and I cannot wait to see how it all ends. I also loved how mysterious Rafe is, and how his character slowly unravels. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal books.

~ Kristen W, Waterdown

Unbelievable by Sara Shepard

AWESOME! If you've been reading the PLL (pretty little liars) novels, as I am don't miss Unbelievable by Sara Shepard. Defenitely the best book in the series (in my opinon) In this book we uncover, finally, the truth of the mysterious identity of 'A'. The stalker-like person haunting the four main characters (Emily, Spencer, Aria and Hanna). I truely think this series is amazing, it desplays the common day to day things that ever girl will go through, first love, annoying siblings, family issues (etc) but with the twist; What would your life be like if your best friend just vanished? What if someone knew the horrors of your past? And what if said person decided they wanted to make your life a living He(double hockey sticks)? I highly recomend this book/series to anyone who longs for some summer, or anytime, excitment. Or who likes to uncover the truth........ HAPPY READING!

~ Dylan C, Concession

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

This book was amazingly written and was filled with somewhat gritty action and problems coming from all sides of the main character Dana’s life. It all starts when her mom comes to her recital drunk and that pushes her to run away to the fae father she has never met. When she gets to Avalon (the only place where Faerie and the mortal world overlap and can live together) where her father lives, she is taken prisoner by her ruthless aunt and pulled into a political battle because of her faeriewalker abilities. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes their paranormal grounded; at least a little.

~ Dana N, Carlisle

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I read this book for my summer school English class. It is pretty straight forward. The narrator of the book, Charlie, has gone through a pretty tough childhood that causes him to have trouble fitting in with other teenagers. As he enter highschool, he begins to make friends and explore many new experiences, both good and bad. He does not explain what his tough childhood is until the very end of the book. Nothing major really happened until near the end. I think, for a book for English class, it is quite an okay book.

~ Lydia L, Terryberry

Leftovers by Laura Wiess

This book was not at all what I expected...in a good way! It was about two teenaged girls who go through some pretty unexpected stuff. It was mainly about family issues, guys problems and the struggles of just being a girl. The two girls are best friends so their stories intertwine. Parts of it were sad and some not so sad. I think it was very well written and it really showed me not to judge a book by its cover (which I do a lot).

~ Katy M, Saltfleet

Matched by Ally Condie

This book was great!! I loved how it was set in the future. I also liked that it was not an ideal world, everything was planned for the citizens in this time. Another thing I appreciated about this book was that the author always left some things unsaid at the end of each chapter, causing you to want to read the next one. I loved how alot of the characters in the book were in rebellion. Some you didn't notice until the end, and some were always there but in small acts. I can't believe this book got voted out, since I LOVED it!!! Highly recommended.

~Alainna C, Ancaster

Wanted by Sara Shepard

I love the Pretty Little Liars Series by Sara Shepard for its roller coaster plot. The four girls, Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna, try to find out who killed there best friend, Ali, years ago. They also have to find out who is texting them all their secrets and signing as ~A. I've learned to never believe them when they think they have found the killer because A always leads them in the wrong direction. But in the eighth book in the series, the entire storyline is flipped upside down and everything you thought you knew about Ali and the girls lives is not true at all. Or maybe it is with A's misleading clues.

~Magdalena K, Saltfleet

Positively by Courtney Sheinmel

This was a great book. Emmy's mother is diagnosed with AIDS and dies shortly after. Emmy is HIV positive and thinks her life is over because of it - everything is ruined. She feels left out, alone, and depressed. Emmy is sent to a HIV-positive summer camp where she is surrounded with girls just like her. Slowly, she begins to see the light in life again and rediscover who she really is.

~ Sarah B, Sherwood

Passion by Lauren Kate

Passion is the third book in the FALLEN series and I thought it was going to be awesome, but, really I thought it could have been better. It was like going through history class. I mean it was a good book and I can't wait for the fourth book Rapture to come out, but it really could have been better.

In Passion, Luce goes into the past and is looking for a way to break her curse. While on her journey she witnesses firsthand her love for Daniel over and over again, and every time, she sees herself die. Everyone is looking for Luce. Cam and the legions of angels and the Outcasts. Everyone is desperate but not as desperate as Daniel. He follows her through their past, terrified of what might happen if Luce rewrites history, because if she does... Their romance from the past will be gone... forever.

~ Krystal C, Terryberry

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Gathering, by Kelley Armstrong, was extremely boring. It's plot was boring and slow, and the characters were annoying, and there was nothing different about them. I would not recommend this.

~ Sydney G, Locke

Charmed and Dangerous: The Rise of the Pretty Committee by Lisi Harrison

This is the prequel to The Clique series. This is the book before all the girls got together. Massie was a beta, Alicia was having dance troubles, Dylan didn't feel or look fat, Kristen was just another geek of the street, and Claire was sneaking out of her house. Massie was waiting for five pieces to come together at midnight at a New Year's Yves party while trying to get away from the group she never wanted to be with. In the end it leaves you thinking on how the Pretty Committee got together.

~ Emma H, Sherwood

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Before this book I had never read anything by Sara Dessen, who as I learned after reading Along for the Ride is an author of many other books. Her characters were well thought through each with a different story to tell. I would recomend this book to anyone who enjoys reading anything that has that 'summer love' feeling to it. Basicly in this book we discover what it feels like if you've grown up with out a childhood, go to live with your father who has recently been remarried and already has a newborn and discover yourself, and love for the first time. Honestly I didn't think it had what I like to call a 'tug' meaning there wasn't anything that made me think 'I HAVE to keep reading!!!' which for me, made the read a little longer and slightly less interesting. Although it was a good book, it might not be something I woud consider in any Top Ten or anything.

~ Dylan C, Concession

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

This is my favourite book I've read all summer (so far)! It was about a spaceship that was sent out in search of a new planet, Centauri-Earth, for humans and animals to prosper on. Godspeed is full of people that are all monoethnic. It is divided into three levels - the Keeper Level (for the leader and the successor), the Shipper level (for the engineers and scientists and the engine), and the Feeder Level (for the general population) - and has been operating flawlessly for the past few generations.
Elder, a sixteen-year-old boy, is destined to be the ships new leader as he is the oldest of his generation. The ship's current leader, Eldest, is doing extra work by leading the ship's people and teaching Elder his duties. This happened because the Eldest who should be ruling now mysteriously died years before Elder was born. Elder has always been a free-thinker and does not agree with a lot of Eldest's methods.
Seventeen-year-old Amy is a passenger on the ship along with her parents. But they are frozen cargo below the feet of the 3,000 residents of Godspeed.
One day, when Elder accidentally learns about this fourth level - the Cryo Level - he becomes overwhelmingly curious to find out what's there and sneaks in to take a peak. He discovers Amy's chamber and is intrigued by her fire-red hair and pale skin. Later that day, Amy's chamber is opened in an attempt to murder her but she is found in time and survives. With Amy's knowledge of Sol-Earth (where we live) and her strong opinions, she and Elder discover the hidden secrets of the ship and all the lies Elder was taught to believe.
Also, Elder and Amy start to fall in love since they are the only two people on the ship their age.
Like I said, this book was amazing!! It was full of action, suspense and unexpected twists. It is a great read for anyone who loves sci-fi and mystery. It is quite long and I actually stayed up all night to read it. I couldn't put it down!!

~ Katy M, Saltfleet

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

“Wintergirls” in a dark novel, full with the inner struggles of teenagers. Lia, who suffers from anorexia nervosa, lost her former best friend, Cassie, to bulimia. They made an oath sealed in blood that they would be the skinniest girls in the school. The book follows Lia and her battle within. It brings light to those who do not understand the fight those with eating disorders are going through.

However, I cannot say the book was amazing. It did not bring tears to my eyes as I had thought a novel of such topic would. I must stress, Laurie Halse Anderson uses far too many metaphors and her writing isn’t stunning enough to accompany it. Plus, the metaphors were not always the most brilliant. It was slightly confusing at points. It felt as if Anderson had taken out lines in the beginning of the chapter and had not bothered to fix the rest. She did not fully explain Lia’s feelings. Lastly, the book finished with some loose ends.

Still, I would recommended it to others. The book wasn’t amazing, though it was good none the less. To those who know one with an eating disorder, the book might help one understand what they are going through. For those with or recovering from eating disorders, it may provide comfort. And for those looking for a darker novel, Wintergirls is satisfying.

In the end, I rate Wintergirls a three star out of five.

X-Isle by Steve Augarde

This book was very interesting. The world in this book is damaged, and there are no resources for the people, they have to strive for food. It was mainly about a boy named Baz who was chosen to go to the island, X-Isle, on a boat. Only a 2-3 people are chosen every month, and they have to be boys, small and skinny. He met more boys like him on the island who had to work for the Preacher and his 3 old sons, work like building and fixing. It was really hard for them and they were treated like servants. Over-all, i recommend this book to all ages. It shows how hard life can be when disaster strikes the world.

~ Huda M, Red Hill

Falling in Love with English Boys by Melissa Jensen

Cat is stuck in London for the summer while her researches someone who's been dead for hundreds of years. Fun huh? One day Cat's mom gives her the diary of one of her research subjects to read. There are some surprising parellels to Cat's own life. Can she gather insight from someone who lived in a time when a girl's only task was to find a rich husband? Cat and Katherine's lives are more similar than you would think.

~Kristen W, Waterdown