This was a very interesting reimagining of The Scarlet Pimpernel. This version is set in a dystopian sunken city that used to be Paris. The corrupt government is arresting the rich, people who use technology, or just people they don't like and beheading them with the Razor. But, there is a hero, the Red Rook, who is rescuing prisoners. Who is the rook?
We actually find out who the Rook is early on but then there is a lot more intrigue, romance, double crossing, fate, and lots of action. Toward the climax I felt that the writing was masterful and can imagine that as a read aloud or audion book it would be fabulous.
Alas, my school goes up to 5th grade...not the place for this book, but I loved it.
Think Amazing Race for kids. Russell talkedhis friends into entering "The Wild Life"and then he was split from all of them and placed on a different team. The first leg of the race takes place in the Amazon.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and can see it as going over well with my younger readers. Not too long, action, riddles, and some science information thrown in as well.
This book came out of nowhere for me. I saw it on one of the Best of 2015 lists and it was at my Scholastic book fair so I bought it. Not gonna lie....cover is not selling it for me, at least for Maine Student Book Award. When I read for the list I really try to find books that boys and girls will like and try to find books for all the grade levels. This book screams - "girl". I know there are many people who disagree with me on this but... I hate to say but the girls on the cover look younger than described, one is wearing pink and they both don't like pink, and the cat doesn't look fat enough. Then there is the tagline on the back "Best friends make the worst enemies". I don't feel like that captures the essence of the book at all.
The book starts with Hannah bemoaning the fact that her best friend, Sophie has moved and some strangers are moving in next door. Then she finds out that her step-mom (soon to be adopted mom) is having a baby. Hannah soon meets fellow palindrome, swimmer, only child, hater of pizza, same birthday girl next door Emme. Even though they get off to a rocky start, they soon become good friends. But when Sophie joins them for a winter camp their friendship faces a major hurdle.
So,even with the cover issues I have, this actually was a good book. I think my 4th and 5th grade girls will read and enjoy it.
This one wasn't scary and much as it was creepy and disturbing. 10 people go to Stone's Throw Island for a wedding. Once there the two youngest - Josie and Eli see and hear strange things. The wedding planner, Margo, also sees some weird things. When the weather takes a turn for the worse things get creepier and downright dangerous. You see, something happened on that island back during WWII and there are someghosts who would like revenge.
Debating this...quite a few people die (spoiler) but it was a good, creepy read and the fact that it takes place off the coast of Maine adds to its appeal.
Very well researched and informative work on the Danish resistance. I loved how Hopkinson was able to follow certain characters all the way through the war in various roles - spy, saboteur, and prisoner. This is a pretty lengthy account, coupled with the content and difficulty of Danish names I think my students (who only go up to 5th grade) wold have difficulty with it. Highly recommend for the older crowd.
So glad I got a chance to read this. Action, adventure, couldn't put it down!!!
Cassie's life is pretty boring. Yes she is livng in Rome but she doesn't really get to do anything and her dad is just an art professor. But, when he comes to get her at school one day and people start shooting at her, life becomes unboring. It turns out Cassie is from a bloodline that can control the Spear of Destiny. There is an organization called the Hastati that is so afraid of it getting into the wrong hands that they will kill anyone in the bloodline - meaning Cassie.
But when her father is shot Cassie doesn't know who to trust... her best friend, a monk, a mysterious boy named Asher, a grandmother she never knew she had.
Full of twists, turns, riddles, legend, and surprises this was a great read.
5 teenagers get lost at sea after a party and a late night Windsurfer adventure. How can they survive when the boat is out gas, there is no food and water, there are injuries, and they are drifting farther away from land.
I read this book very quickly and it was quite engaging but for my particular library I think the realism with the injuries and what happens to some of the teens in particular is a bit heavy.
