Gimmeacall by: Sarah Mylnowski

Name: Shelby

Grade: 12+

Book: Gimmeacall

Author: Sarah Mylnowski

Have you ever invested so much time or effort into something, and never seen a reward for it. Ever wished you could take something back, or change the course of your life by talking to your younger self. What would you do if you could talk to your fourteen year old self? Tell he/she that the girl or boy wasn't worth your time or effort, give insight on what happens to the friends you have around you, tell them to work hard to get into a good college... the list is endless. Gimmeacall offers reader a female insight to the opportunity into the thoughts and mind of both a younger teenager, and adult to re-do all the times and mess ups, and change the course of the life that your living.

Devi Banks is nearing the end of her senior year in high school, and her boyfriend of three years, Bryan just broke up with her. She feels all the emotions that a high school girl should feel- hurt, confused about where her life is heading... which seems down the drain. How could she have invested her whole LIFE, whole social status, around Bryan just so that he could break up with her three years later. When she accidentally drops her cell phone into a wishing well/fountain at the mall right after wishing that she could go back in time. When she picks up her once beloved phone it seems useless, boring, and lifeless to calling and texting anyone.. that is unless it is her own number, that happens to reach a fourteen year old Devi- three and a half years ago.

As Senior Devi and Freshman Devi come to the realization that they are indeed talking to themselves, Senior Devi gives instructions to Freshman Devi on what to do to save her future- starting with never going out with Bryan. Just as she has avoided the heartache of Bryan all to begin with Devi comes to the realization that she could do more than that with the help of freshman Devi. Devi has the ability to rescue the abandoned friendships, keep her friends from making poor decisions, concentrate more on getting into a better university, and change the world around her. If only Freshman Devi would agree. It seems like she has invested so much time and effort trying new activities, fighting her impulse to have fun and know sweet charming- cute Bryan, and study her life away, and she doesn't see the reward the Devi see. Both Devi's learn a lifelong lesson in the process, that they should focus on living in the present, like each day is your last, and that although things may be a storm- they will come to pass, and reveal into their life day by day.

I'd give this book to: Any girl who has wanted to change things in her life, and someone who wants a fast pace read that's humorous.

I picked up this book because: I'd read the back of the book, and looked at the cover. I never like judging a book by it's cover, but it looked sweet!

I finished this book because: It was difficult not to, I was flipping through the pages waiting anxiously for the ending!

Ratings: 5Q

4P

The author Sarah Mylnowski has written a novel that has altered the way that I think life would be to change the situation, and go back. She has given both Devi's a voice, character development, and kept me on my toes flipping through the pages to know what happens. It gives a new statement to changing and altering the life you live.

The Thin Executioner

Name: Serina

Grade: 12th +

Book: The Thin Executioner

Author: Darren Shan

Jebel Rum is scrawny. He is thin. And in a world where only the burly and strong can make a living, he has no chance to beat his older brothers to their father's title as executioner, the most glorious, noble, profession in Wadi. To become Executioner, Jebel would have to win in a contest based on skill and power, and he has absolutely no way of winning. That is, unless he goes on a grueling quest to ask the fire God to bless him with immortal power. As his only option to gain some honor, Jebel leaves on his quest after enlisting the life of a slave to be sacrificed to the fire God. Tel Hesani is a strong man who only wishes to see his family freed by laying down his own life, which Jebel has promised him. Jebel refuses the see Tel Hasani as more than a slave, but after the man saves him multiple times and shows a depth to his soul that the boy could never have guessed at, Jebel finds that it may be hard to kill the man at the fire mountain when the time comes. Jebel is naive to the world outside Wadi, and Tel Hesani has to try very hard to keep his master out of harm's way. Along their journey, the two come upon cannibals, thievery, and a pair of clever con artists with kind faces and regal manners. It seems that the quest is doomed from the very start, things get increasingly worse for Jebel and his slave, and Jebel begins to think that this may be a journey he would rather not have taken. While he previously held honor above all else, he may have to put survival higher on the list.

A singular, large novel from the talented author of the Cirque du Freak series, Darren Shan, The Thin Executioner is morbid, exciting, and sometimes sickening. Darren Shan set the theme in a world very different from our own, where public beheadings are common family entertainment, and where the justice system is painfully flawed. Selfish, naive, and cruel, Jebel Rum is a main character that is hard to feel bad for, but after just a few chapters, the audience will be miserable with him.

I picked this book up because I read everything by Darren Shan!

I finished this book because it seemed hazardous to my health for me not to.

I'd give this book to any fan of gory detail, or just any fan of Darren Shan in general.

***** It was amazing!

Logan M's review: Left Behind: The Remnant by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins

Logan, 7th grade

The Remnant is the tenth book in a series of books called Left Behind. A man named Nicolae Carpathia says he is God and through his mind control ability, has taken over the world. If you don't worship him and prove your loyalty to him by taking his mark you will be killed. A group of people, called the Tribultion Force, refuse to take his mark or worship him because he is the anti-christ. They believe that by taking his mark you are choosing to follow Satan in a seemingly Godless world, and therefore condemning yourself to eternity in hell. They stand against his regime while continuing to follow the one true God of the Bible. I would recommend this book to people in 6th grade or older who enjoy reading and learning about the Bible. This is a series that leaves you hungry for more, constantly wondering what will come next.

Why I picked the book up:: A friend told me about it.

Why I finished it:: It leaves you hanging until the very end.

I'd give this book to:: Anyone older than 6th grade and that has an interest in things of the Bible.My rating for this book:: ***** It was amazing!