The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

"COME TO THE EXIT 8 BIG TOP MALL & VIDEO ARCADE, HOME OF THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, MIGHTY SILVERBACK."

Ivan has lived in his domain at the Big Top Mall for decades. He has become accustomed to his glass walls, hard cement floor, dirty water pool, tire swing, and an old TV. Ivan is used to humans watching his every move, attending the shows at two, four, and seven, 365 days a year.

His adopted family include Mack, the very increasingly moody owner and show clown; Stella the elephant; Bob, the dog of unknown origins who enjoys sleeping on Ivan's belly; Julia, an artist and the daughter of George, the mall custodian. Julia visits daily and gave Ivan his first crayons and paper. His artwork is sold in the store of $20, $25 with frame.

Each animal has their own story of how they came to the Big Top Mall and each can sense when change is coming. Hard times means less attendance and Mack buys another younger elephant named Ruby, hoping to boost interest.

Ruby is innocent and bonds with Stella, Stella who is old and sick. Stella has always told Ivan stories and she wants Ivan to remember his past. There is something else Stella wants from the One and Only Ivan. She wants him to make and keep a promise to her, a promise to take care of Ruby. Ivan has an idea, one that could change not only Ruby's life but his own.

Why I picked up the book: I had heard good things about it and then Ivan won the 2013 Newbery.

Why I finished it: I liked Ivan and wanted to see if and how he would keep his promise to Stella. It was interesting to find out that the author was inspired by a real gorilla named Ivan. I can't wait until my child is older and I can read it with him.

I'd give it to: anyone looking for a Newbery winner, a class read-aloud, or a book told from an animal's perspective.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Kite Runner
By: Khaled Hosseini
Review by: Kaitlin
Imagine one of the worst things you can imagine happening to one of your friends. Now imagine having the power to stop it, and choosing to run the other direction instead. That's what Amir has to deal with for the rest of his life when he lets the unthinkable happen to his dear friend since birth, Hassan. This story takes place in 1980's Afghanistan during the Russian invasion. This story is about tragedy and triumph, and learning from your mistakes. It tells the tale of Amir's fight to make things right again after his horrid mistake, and the struggle that comes with it. I picked this book to read because I heard that Hosseini was an amazing author and really knows how to tell a story. I agree one hundred percent after reading his book!  I would recommend this story to anyone looking for something new to read about, or someone interested in the Middle Eastern culture. I finished the story because Hosseini is one of the best writers I have ever come across and he truly knows how to hook you. I would give this story 5 stars! *****

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Kristina
the perfect student
happy life

A second chance
to reconnect with
absent father.

Rather
than the reunion
hoped for

Dad on drugs
dirty apartment
empty fridge

Adam/Buddy
A new reality
Chance to experiment

New discoveries
the monster
and Bree.

Return home
New person
Bad habits

The monster’s
hold
won’t let go.

No longer Kristina
Bree will do
anything

For a taste of
the monster:
Crank.

Sequels: Glass and Fallout

Why I picked up the book: It was a pick for our book club at Roosevelt. I had read it in 2008 when it was nominated for, and subsequently won, the Wyoming Soaring Eagle (Teen Choice) Award. I have seen the author speak a few times.

Why I finished it: Hopkins' style isn't for everyone but I'm continuously amazed by it. Not only does the poetry work but she crafts it so well that each time you read it, you find something new, from the shape of the poems to the secondary verses.

I'd give it to: teens looking for edgy, gritty, realistic fiction. Hopkins' story is loosely based on her daughter and she definitely holds nothing back.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Metro Girl

Name: Michelle Sherwin
Grade:12+
Book Title: Metro Girl
Author: Janet Evanovich

Alex is a girl who just wants to start acting like one. She has had just about enough of the living under a car constantly helping her dad at his auto mechanics shop. She wants to lead a fairly normal life, but with her family that is apparently just too much to ask. She gets just what she wants in one sense. She gets the chance to get out from under cars, but only to find her trouble making brother Bill. Somewhere along the lines she stummbles into the arms of NASCAR Guy aka Sam Hooker who attempts to help her find her brother and the "borrowed boat" her brother has possession of. Along the way these two have their ups and downs. Will Sam get a chance to find more than just his boat on his break? Will Alex find the time to get away from cars or is there no way around her love of them? Will Bill and the boat return safely? And why is the Cuban government chasing the two of them ? Find out in Metro Girl.

Janet Evanovich's style in this story is very similar to her other styles and yet she finds ways to mix up the story and create something all new and different. The way that she characterizes Alex in this book is one of the strongest aspects. Alex is constantly surrounded by the bad boy type and  it seems like no matter where she turns there is another one waiting for her. Another good aspect of the book is the twists that are added to the story all the time. One of the biggest down sides to this book is the way that it ends. While the story itself is finished there are many loose ends left to be tied up and I have yet to read the next book and see how well she does that.

I picked this book up because it looked like an interesting book that I might enjoy given Janet Evanovich's other works.

I finished this book because it had many twists and turns to keep me interested and wanting to read the next one.

I'd give this book to anyone who cared for this author's other works or anyone interested in a good search and rescue type book.

I give this book a 

****

Broxo

Name: Serina

Grade: 12+

Title: Broxo

Author/Illustrator: Zack Giallongo

Princess Zora is on a quest through dangerous lands to seek out the people of the Peryton clan, a secluded group of warriors, so that she and her Granitewings clan can establish trade with them. However, the Perytons are nowhere to be found and their village is abandoned. The only person remaining is a young boy named Broxo, who claims to be king of the mountain. Broxo seems to have no idea of what happened to the rest of his clan and has been alone for years, fighting off beasts and the undead. It doesn't take long for Zora to discover that the walking corpses that keep attacking her and the boy are the missing Perytons. Zora and Broxo must unravel the mystery of the rising dead and what happened in the past so that they can save their future before they also end up as rotting flesh and bones.

I picked this book up because I read most of the graphic novels at NCPL.

I finished this book because the art was appealing and the story was interesting.

I'd give this book to anyone who loves traditional fantasy.

Rating: **** Really liked it.

Leslee
Grade 11
The Kite Runner
By:  Khaled Hosseini

Now an adult living in America, Amir receives a call from a man named Rahim Khan- a very important figure in Amir’s life.  This man brings the haunting memories of Amir’s past rushing back as he gives Amir hope of redeeming himself.  Throughout the novel, our questions of Amir’s past are all answered as he recounts them.  Beginning with the final days of the Afghan monarchy and the Russian invasion, Amir is a young boy living in Kabul.  His father is rich and powerful, and their Hazara servants, Ali and his son Hassan, live in a mud shack behind their mansion.  Amir shares a close bond with Hassan, spending every waking moment together, running kites, going to movies, and being best friends.  Yet as things begin to change and go terribly wrong, the struggles of the two young boys are revealed.  As the story moves along, characters and lives are drastically changed and Amir eventually makes his way to America in the present.  This powerful story tells a tale of fear, love, mistakes, redemption, and how the struggles in life can be forever haunting, all the while providing a phenominal display of Afghan culture.   

I picked up this book because my sister recommended it.  I recently and happily reread it as an assignment for my English class.  I finished it because it truly is a page turner and an incredible story that is written beautifully.

I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the power of strong bonds, love, mistakes, and redemption.  Some of the events are hard to get through, and the interpretation of whether the ending is happy or sad varies among individuals, but the story is eye-opening and strong.

I would give this book a 5***** rating. 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Bee’s mother, Bernadette, mysteriously disappears, seemingly vanishing into thin air shortly before Christmas. Using a series of emails, letters, articles, and even doctor bills, Bee is able to piece together the events of Bernadette’s last days in an effort to find out where she may have gone. This fun and quirky novel will have you laughing, shaking your head, and wondering if Bee will figure out what happened and find her mom.

Why I picked up the book: I was browsing the "new releases" shelf and the cover jumped out at me. It had been on my radar after being an Alex Award winner (adult books that will appeal to teens).

Why I finished it: I didn't want to put it down. It is quirky and funny. It is told in a series of emails, articles, bills, etc. as Bee is trying to find out what happened to her mother. The ending wasn't as great as the beginning, though. It is still an interesting look at how a collective group can view an incident so different from one another.

I'd give it to: fans of Louise Rennison, Meg Cabot, and Jaclyn Moriarty.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, #1) by John Flanagan

Will has always dreamed of being a warrior and a hero, like the father he never knew, but his small stature almost guarantees that dream won't be a reality. On Choosing Day, Will and the other wards of Baron Arald's Castle Redmont one by one are assigned to their apprenticeships. Will is disappointed when he is denied for Battleschool and Horseschool. But Will's curiosity is piqued by the appearance of the Ranger Halt, who gives the Baron a letter. The Baron looks at the note and tells Will that he will give his answer on Will's fate in the morning. Will is too intrigued by the prospect of what might be in the note and decides to break into the Baron's office that night. It turns out that the note was a set-up, to see if he indeed would break in. Halt has requested Will for Ranger training. Little is known about Rangers and it seems that the skills that often get Will into trouble (sneaking around, eavesdropping, climbing, etc) are perfect for being a Ranger. He must also learn to shoot a bow and arrow, use a knife, and disappear into the shadows. While being a Ranger's apprentice might not seem like a stellar appointment, Will may find himself right in the middle of the battle of his dreams.

Why I picked up the book: I haven't read it before because this series doesn't need my help finding readers. I have fans in my book club who want to discuss it so it is time. I tend not to read fantasy so it is a good stretch for me.

Why I finished it: Once I got past the prologue, which I read 3 times and am still lost, it is very quick and easy to follow. I won't continue reading the series now, but maybe when my son is older.

I'd give it to: anyone but boys particularly. (I have a lot of families and dads reading it!) Fans of Harry Potter.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Imagine that for just one day, you could be anyone you wanted and do something out of the ordinary, something you've always wanted to do but may seem out of character for the person others view you as. Would you jump at the chance to do it? Would you think about the consequences and repercussions of your choice or let the cards fall as they may?

Allyson is on the tail-end of the "trip of a lifetime", a high school graduation gift. She and her bff Melanie have been part of a three week European tour, which hasn't quite lived up to Allyson's expectations. Allyson and Mel decide to skip the final evening's planned culture event, Hamlet, in order to attend a free outdoor offering of Twelfth Night, performed by a traveling Shakespearean troupe called Guerrilla Will, and are not disappointed. The next morning Allyson & Melanie catch a train to London to enjoy their last weekend in Europe before flying back to the States. In the food car, Allyson runs into Willem, one of the actors from Guerrilla Will. They strike up a conversation. He calls her Lulu, saying she looks like a 1920s silent film actress named Louise Brooks, and they talk about Allyson's European experience. She mentions that she is sad they had to bypass Paris. She was looking forward to Paris. Then Willem makes Allyson an offer. He will take her to Paris for one day, 24 hours.

Allyson knows it would be crazy to say yes. He is a stranger and she has plans with Melanie. But the fact that she doesn't know Willem means that she can be whomever she pleases and part of her really wants to be spontaneous, impulsive, daring, and adventurous. So Allyson takes a chance and says yes.

Just one day, 24 hours, in Paris will change everything: the trip, the summer, the rest of her life. What would you do with the opportunity of "just one day"?

Why I picked up the book: I loved "If I Stay" and "Where She Went" by Gayle Forman plus I hadn't read a good "chick-lit"/romance in awhile.

Why I finished/kept reading: Allyson/Lulu's decision to board the train to Paris with Willem reminded me of what it felt like to choose Honolulu for grad school and leave all the safe choices behind. "I think you do things that scare you, and that makes you braver than those adrenaline junkies who bungee-jump off bridges (p85)". Now I can't wait to read "Just One Year", Willem's side of the story, which is due out this fall.

I'd give the book to: Those readers who tend to be pleasers and over-achievers might see parts of themselves in Allyson. Fans of Forman's other novels as well as fans of Sarah Dessen and Nicholas Sparks. Fans of Shakespeare will probably get more out of those scenes than I did. Readers looking for a book about finding themselves, after high school, and making choices separate from their parents.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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