ANIMAL FARM

ANIMAL FARM
by George Orwell
144 pp. Penguin Group. £8.99. (Ages 13 and up)

ISBN
9780141182704

Rating: ? Stars


    This book is set in a future when animals are much cleverer than now. And because of their cleverness, the pigs started a revolution against the humans. Pigs could speak fluently in English unlike the other animals, and that gave them the power to be leaders. But, the story that follows only happened a few years after that...
    Their first leader, Old Major, was kind and fair who knew animals should be equal. But when Napoleon became the leader it was very unpleasant. He made a rule that allowed the pigs to have better food and that forced all of the other animals to work crazily hard every day and night. That wasn’t enough, Napoleon wanted more power.
    He decided to kill his brother, Snowball, so that he would be the only leader. Snowball was admired because he came up with a clever idea to build windmill. Snowball was also popular because of his role in the revolution. He and Boxer (a hardworking horse) were the bravest. So this selfish pig, Napoleon, destroyed what the animals built (the windmill) and blamed Snowball who escaped the farm. Then Napoleon made the animals work harder and harder, making the animals very weak and even die. If any of the animals were clever like Napoleon, he would just order an execution to get rid of them.
    My favourite character is Boxer the horse, who would work the hardest of the animals but never give up no matter how much it hurt, or how old he gets. He never complained to Napoleon, instead saying, “Napoleon is always right”. This book made me think of another newer book, Mockingjay (Part Two of The Hunger Games films) because President Snow is like the humans and President Alma Coin is like Napoleon. President Alma Coin defeats President Snow, but then becomes corrupt and maybe worse.
also on the Guardian Children's Books Site

FIRE

FIRE
Graceling Realm Book 2

by Kristin Cashore

528 pp. Firebird. $10.99. (Ages 12 and up)


ISBN

9780142415917


Rating: 4 Stars


    This book is about a monster that has lived in the ages of knights and princesses. The monster is a beautiful 18 year old girl called fire. She can control and read minds of humans and animals. She has never wanted to be a monster but her father, Carasel, has made her one of them. She has to live through the fact that she is a monster that is hated by everyone. Now, she is trusted by the kingdom of the dells to help save the kingdom from a war between three kingdoms. Will she save the kingdom or make it fall apart?
    The book is like a history book. It talks about the past when the kingdoms of princess and princes ruled the land. But the author added some interesting character into the book. She has also added some animals that is celled monsters. Which is something regular kingdoms don't have.
    I think the author wants readers to understand how people lived a long time ago. But instead of making it very boring history book she has added wild characters to attract the attention of the readers. While the readers read about the interesting actions about fire( the main character) they will also understand what used to happen in the past like wars , kingdoms, travels and more.
    Fire is a great character. She might be a beautiful monster but inside she is something more. She is a brave strong girl. If you read the book you might see that there is a lot of things that has happened to her but she kept of going forward. Her father is a monster but fire is not. I see her as a person that has amazing gifts to read peoples minds. Fire has chosen to use her powers/gifts to do good things, not vicious and horrible things like her father. She has used her powers to help the kingdom win a war.
    Fire has a weird love story. Archer was her best friend when she was little. Now he has turned into her lover. Archer wants fire to marry him. I understand that he wants to protect Fire but not in that way. Fire will be miserable. I think she has the right not to marry anyone. People might use her.
    I think the author should change archers name. I think the name can confuse the readers. In some parts when there are both archers (a person who shoots a bow in a war battle) and Archer I get confused of what they do. I think the author should add a sign so the readers could understand.
    This book has great morals. One of the morals that shines in the book is ' use your special things for good things'. Like while Fire is a monster , she tries to be a good person. She uses her powers to help not to ruin things.
    I recommend this book for teens around 13-over because there are lessons in the book that they need to understand. I give the book 7/10 stars. I hope the author can make more books.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
146 minutes. Marvel Studios. (PG-13)

See at IMDB

Rating: 4 Stars

    This is a new marvel movie. I like this movie, Its very fun and it has new characters . The genre is Fantasy/Science fiction film. The duration of the movie is 2 hours and 27 minutes. I wanted to watch it in the fist week it came out, but all the tickets were full in every cinema.
    I like how the director of the movie added some new characters. These characters were from the other marvel movies. Like ant-man and spider man. It makes the movie really cool. And the personalities of the characters were the same as the original movie.
    There is a lot of sarcasm in the movie, and it makes the movie more funny. It makes the fighting in the movie less serious. Even if there is violence I the movie its covered by the sarcasm.
    I think the avengers are the villains. I know they do good things to protect the world but if you pay attention, a lot of the members leave the avengers because it was too dangerous. Like the hulk, and the others. Even if there looks like there is no side. I would pick captain Americas side.
    I rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars. I hope there will be more movies about this. It is very fun. I hope the director adds more character from other original movies by marvel. I think this movie is suitable for teen-older people because I think there is too much violace in the movie.

CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO SPY

CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO SPY
Gallagher Girls Book 2

by Ally Carter

256 pp. Disney-Hyperion. $9.99. (Ages 12 and up)


ISBN

9781423100065


Rating: 4 Stars


   I have bought this book because of many reasons. The format and the pictures in the cover has got my attention. The color and the way the title is edited has a theme of a girls school in it. The title has also got my attention, the way 'cross my heart, and hope to spy' makes people think it s a spy book and most tween would love spy books. I think the back blurb is not interesting. It is only a part of the book pasted in the back of the book. If adults see this book, I think they won't buy it because the back blurb does not explain the book at all. While I saw the cover, I could not see what number was the book, was it the forth book?,or the third?. I think the author should put a number on the book so readers will know which book is it, and not think its the first book.
   The book is too short. For me it felt like reading a chapter in a big book. The word are to simple, I think it should be more intense. I think 11 years old and above can read much better that that. I think its a book for an 9 year old.
   The moral in this book is teamwork. I think its a good moral for young readers because it is important in that age to work together. And another moral is friendship, a true friend will always be at your side no matter what. Friendship is one of the important things a child will need to learn.
   Overall this book needs some work. But the story line is very interesting. I give this book 6/10. Next time the author writes a book i think it should be more. And more intense.

CITY OF FALLEN ANGLES

CITY OF FALLEN ANGLES

The Mortal Instruments Book 4

by Cassandra Clare

480 pp. Margaret K. McElderry Books. $13.99. (Ages 13 and up)


ISBN

9781481455992


Rating: 4 Stars


  This book is a start of an new adventure. The enemy has lost and a new one rises. I think it is a good idea the author made a new enemy. Now the book wont end!
  I don't like how the author divides the book into many parts. It makes me think its a very large book and sometimes I get bored. It makes the book seems like a very very big book. And most pages are wasted for the page to say a new part and also the quote/poem the author has made.
  In a new story there will be new characters. The villain in the book has lost now if the next villain will be bigger new characters will come. The are new characters now like Mia, Jorgan and other characters.
  I don't like the part when a partner does not let the other one go in a fight because they don't want to lose them. Its like making a choice for a person. But a person can make its own choices. Another person cant make that choices for them. Its not fair. Why don't the parter let the other partner come into the fight it they want to, but protect them.
  Overall I think this book is good. I hope next time the author will not make more parts in a new book in the future. I rate this book 8/10 stars. And I also hope in the future that there wont be a partner bossing the other one to keep safe.

CITY OF GLASS

CITY OF GLASS
The Mortal Instruments Book 3
by Cassandra Clare
592 pp. Margaret K. McElderry Books. $13.99. (Ages 13 and up)

ISBN
9781481455985

Rating: 4 Stars

   This is the 3rd book of the series. Its the best book out of the 1st and the 2nd because it is the book that has the war between Valentine and the Shadow hunters. When I started reading it it seems very messy. But in the end it all makes sense. Its ether between the valentine or the shadow hunters who wins.
   From the first book until this book (the third book) the cover always has the text by Stephen Meyer.. looking at the cover of the book makes me think its the same book over and over again. I also think the text by Stephen Meyer should be in the back because most text by a famous author is in the back.
   Valentine is a villain and also a father of 3 children. I don't understand him. Is he trying to use his children or does he really love his children? I think the author should explain more about this character because i'm not sure if this man is a villain or just a father. For some reason I feel like I should pitty him dieing.
  The moral of this book is 'consequences'. If you do something there will always be a problem. Its just you need to think if its a good choice. Clary has brought Jace from the dead. And she is not s supposed to. But she has already done it. Problems will come. But was it a good choice or a bad one?
  Overall I think this book is interesting and fun. I think next time the author should make the text in the back of the book and explain more about Valentine. I also think the book has good morals a moral that all children,teens and adults will understand. I rate this book 7/10 stars

CITY OF ASHES

CITY OF ASHES

The Mortal Instruments Book 2

by Cassandra Clare

512 pp. Margaret K. McElderry Books. $13.99. (Ages 13 and up)


ISBN

9781481455978


Rating: 4 Stars


  This is a type of book that mixes every type of book into one book . I would think it has everything. Like Action,romance,comedy all in one book. It is like other teen books like the Divergent series. It is one of those teen books that every teen enjoys reading. I also like the love story in the book. Clary and Jace is very sweet and caring, but I think they are a bit over protective.
  I think the cover in the book has too much color and pictures. It kind of makes people think “what is really in the book?”. I think the illustrator should lessen the pictures and just have Clary and Jace or another main character. Most people like simple but charming covers.
  The moral in this book is friendship and care. Everyone needs to learn how to care and to take care of their friendship. It is a very important thing. That is one of the things that the author is trying to say in this book.
  The character that I think shines in the book is Simon. Before he was a Mundae (human) but now he is a vampire that can go out in the light (sunlighter) and now all the villains want his blood that is very important. It is very weird but the book always takes turns and bends to make it a good book. And I think Simon is the most caring person in the book. No matter what happens he always cares for everyone.
  Overall I think this is another book I like. I think this is the book that stands out, out of the other series. I rate this book 8/10 stars. I hope the author can make more books!

CITY OF BONES

CITY OF BONES
The Mortal Instruments Book 1
by Cassandra Clare
544 pp. Margaret K. McElderry Books. $13.99. (Ages 13 and up)

ISBN
9781481455923

Rating: ? Stars

   The story starts with a 15­ year old girl named, Clary Fray. She starts out as a perfectly normal teen with a best friend, Simon. Then everything turns upside down. Her mom disappears out of nowhere and she falls in love with a stranger that she saw murder a demon. I have seen this book resistantly in many book stores so I had a feeing I should read this book.
  I think the book should have a different beginning. I am starting to be bored with the same start of stories, always starts with a normal person opening their past. Most teen books (ex. Divergent series, Harry potter, The pretties series, etc.) have the same beginning. I think the author should make it more exiting and different in the beginning, so it can attract the readers attention.
  I think in this book there is too many poems/quotes like at the start of the book, In the beginning of a part, and at the epilogue. I think it is a god idea to put poems/quotes but not to much. If readers see a lot of quotes/poems they will start to get bored.
  Jace is a character that I think stands out. In the shadow hunter world he is the bravest and the best shadow hunter. But inside he has fears, and feeling but he doesn't show it. I like how the author tells the readers that don't judge people by their cover, even if they always act brave or fearless they have feelings but they might not show it.
  Overall I think this book is a good book. But It is not suitable for children below ages 12, because I think they would not understand the story the author is trying to make. I also give this book 7/10 stars. I hope in the future the author can make new books but with different beginning so she can get the readers attention and not have to many quotes/poems on the book. i

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
Harry Potter Book 2
by J. K. Rowling
Illustrated by Mary GrandPré
341 pp. Scholastic. $10.99. (Ages 9 and up)

ISBN
9780439064873

Rating: ? Stars

   This is one of the best books Ive ever read. Even if I read it when I was 6 also. It is a great book. I also like the other books. But you need to read it from the fist book so you can understand everything.
  The three of them is always in the go. Like it when things always happens to them. It makes things cooler. The three is perfect. Harry is the main reason the problems happen, Hermione is the smart wizard, Ron makes everything much cooler.
  It's not the best Potter book, particularly if you don’t like spiders and snakes, but it’s pretty easy to get through and will definitely whet your appetite for the rest of the series.
  My favorite character is Hermione. She is smart and has an attitude. She was not born in a wizard family but she has good grades. She tries her best even though she just learned it. The part that I don't like is the part where Hermione tries to make an elf community. I agree it is upsetting.

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
Harry Potter Book 1
by J. K. Rowling
Illustrated by Mary GrandPré
309 pp. Scholastic. $10.99. (Ages 9 and up)

ISBN
9780439708180

Rating: ? Stars

  This is a very thrilling book for me to read. I have read this before, but when I was 7 years old. At that time I did not understand the story well. I only remembered the movies. But in conclusion, I like the book better that the movie.

  Harry potter is a clueless kid. When he was born he did not even know he was famous. He didn't even care. I thought, like potter he would be a regular kid in Hogwarts. But I guess not. It's very sad that he has to be chased by a dark wizard and also be hovered by fans. I bet it would be really hard being him. I also like him because he can be not so braggy about his popularity

  I like how the author writes about how Harry, Ron, and Hermione friendship began. In the book they also have fight but still stay as best friends. They help each other and hold each other up. True friendship!

  The conclusion is that the book is great!