My Name Is Not Easy * * *

A story from Alaska, about Alaska, and written by an Alaskan!

“My Name is not Easy” by Debby Dahl Edwardson is described on the book’s cover as, “An extraordinary tale of love, betrayal, and above all, survival.”  I agree that the story concerns love, betrayal, and survival, but I wouldn’t describe the book as “extraordinary.”  However, I liked it and thought the book was definitely worth reading although it’s not one that I feel I need to read twice.  I’d recommend the book to others who enjoyed books like “The Diary of Anne Frank” where people have to overcome persecution due to differences.  This book is also a good one for people who like reading about relationships since family, friends, and romance are all important in the story, from brothers separated by a kidnapping and a death to first boyfriends and girlfriends getting together and breaking up.  

Survival is treated a bit differently in this book.  The story isn’t as much about a struggle with nature, but as a struggle with other people and events.  The survival in this book isn’t physical, but cultural and mental as characters try to hang on to who they are and to keep their cultural identities alive.  The story shows that this type of survival is almost more important than physical survival since people can be very sad in physical survival.  To make a life, a real life, the book says that you have to know who you are and be at peace with it.

It’s not all serious deep-thinking-about-life stuff though; the part about the kids trying to cut up a moose (without ever having done it before) is pretty entertaining.  For the other good parts, you’re going to need to pick up “My Name is not Easy” by Debby Dahl Edwardson.   Who knows?  You may find it extraordinary!

Want to visit Debby Dahl Edwardson online to learn about her life in Barrow, Alaska?

http://www.debbydahledwardson.com/index.htm

Reviewed by SS

The Fault in Our Stars * * * * *

 John Green Writes Another Winner!

John Green's latest book, The Fault in Our Stars, is his fourth book and another winner.  Though I am not a fan of cancer stories, and especially cancer love stories, because they never end well (spoiler alert: it didn't), and I don't like to cry in books (spoiler alert: I did).  However, I LOVED this book.  

This story is about Hazel, a teenager with cancer, who meets and falls in love with Gus at her cancer support group.  Luckily, Gus is cured, and Hazel has been in remission for quite a while, but they are both dealing with the issues of life and death, leaving an impact on this world, and worrying how their cancer affects their parents and families.  These are big worries for teens, and I had never looked at the issue of mortality from a teenager's point of view.   The thing that made this story so wonderful was that the two characters are well developed, likeable people, and you want to spend time as much time with them as possible.  They are witty and intelligent and you grow to love them.  John Green is known for his humorous well-crafted books, and this one doesn't disappoint. 

If you like sad stories, love stories, or John Green, you won't want to miss this book!

John Green's link on Amazon has two videos and reviews to his book.  Check it out!  http://www.amazon.com/Fault-Our-Stars-John-Green/dp/0525478817/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Reviewed by NR

Chancey of the Maury River * * * * *

An Intriguing Horse Story   

In the book Chancey of the Maury River, Chancey gets moved to a new stable, where he finally finds a person he can rely on. Chancey is an old horse who meets Claire, a girl who has always wanted a horse of her own. The two make an excellent team, but when Claire finds out that Chancey might go blind, all of that may be put at risk. Does Claire help save Chancey? Or will it be too late? Find out in this fun, realistic story told through Chancey’s eyes. I personally loved this book because it is very realistic. Horse lovers will not be able to put it down!

Reviewed by BL

Shutout * * * * *

An Interesting Teen Book about the Complications of Friendship!

In Shutout By Brendan Halpin, two friends are on the same soccer team, until one gets on Varsity and the other doesn’t.  Amanda Conant and Lena Zaleski are inseparable freshman, until Amanda doesn’t make the Varsity team because of Sever’s disease. (It’s really just heel pain!)  Lena suddenly becomes very popular and begins to be shut out of Lena’s life. What will happen to their friendship to Amanda’s life when she is fully shut out? Who will she turn to?

Reviewed by ME

Hush Hush *

The book Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick is postively one of the worst books I have ever read, and I urge everyone who decides to read this to NEVER READ HUSH, HUSH! You will notice that I am serious about this because I used capitols. 

Hush, Hush begins simply enough, there is a girl named Nora and she is a teenager going through high school, we’re introduced to her new lab partner Patch. Nora is instantly attracted to Patch, and who wouldn’t be? He’s described as ‘good looking, cocky, and mysterious’, different characters start going through, but the author never bothers to give them depth or attention. There are as many characters as the fingers on my hand, and it’s in High School. I mean, yes, I could understand a person who can’t go outside from some big fear of sunlight, but High School? Really? The next thing that happens is that she’s asked out by another guy, Elliot. Who is named Elliot these days? Or Nora? Or Patch? Or Vee? Honestly, these names are uncommon, so you totally can not relate to them. Elliot turns out to be all bad-guy dude when Nora finds an article claiming he killed his last girlfriend. Oooo...scary! Certainly you didn’t expect that, Elliot sounded like a nice guy! And now ‘Elliot had that scary look in his eyes that she had never noticed before’! It’s like reading a mystery and they solve it with clues they never bothered to point out or villains you had never met! The last time that really unhinged me was the whole angel thing, I mean Patch doesn’t even sound like a great boyfriend!

All in all I would recommend this book to my enemies, wait no, I’m not that cruel.

Reviewed by AO

Angel: a Maximum Ride Book * * * *

The flock has split up.  Max and all of the avian-humans (except Fang) are with Max’s mom.  Fang is building his own gang of mutated kids.  While they are not talking to each other they are both pulled into the crazy insanity of The Doomsday Group.  Their motto is “kill all the humans”, fun huh? They go to London to see what’s really happening.... 

Before you read this you HAVE to read the first books. This is a series and should be read as one! I also suggest reading all of James Patterson’s books.

Reviewed by ALG

The Lost Hero * * * * *

A Book of Mythology and Adventure!

If you liked the Percy Jackson books, you will love the companion series, Heroes of Olympus. Here Rick Riordan introduces Roman mythology along with Greek. The first book, The Lost Hero, is about three teens Jason, Piper, and Leo, who learn they are demi-gods. Jason has amnesia and has no clue who he is. Piper claims to be Jason’s girlfriend, while Leo is Jason’s best friend. They soon have to go on a quest to rescue Hera who has mysteriously vanished. The book is the first of 5 book series and is a companion series to the Percy Jackson books. I would rate The Lost Hero gets five stars because it is very entertaining, with action, lots of humor, and romance. Its very well written because you are never confused. The book is written with the perspectives of the three main characters, so you can get to know the characters better.

Reviewed by LC

Rider in the Dark * * * *

An Epic Horse Story!

Rider in the Dark was written by Victoria Holmes and takes place in Dorset, England, in 1740.  This book is mainly for young teenager that love horses. The main characters in this book are Helen Roseby, whose horse’s name is Piper, and Jamie, the stable boy.  This book is about how the daughter of Lord Roseby, Helen, has the perfect life and then in one moment, everything changes.  Dangerous smugglers are on the loose and one night Lord Roseby brings home a beautiful stallion, and then everything changes....

Reviewed by MG

The Burning Bridge * * * *

A medieval story of an orphan

This is a great book for any fan of medieval fiction The Burning Bridge is the second book of the Ranger’s Apprentice series which is focused on an orphan named Will, and only Will.  He has no last name because his father died as a “warrior” or at least Will says so. On the day when the Craftmasters choose their apprentices no one takes Will, but then Halt the mysterious ranger accepts Will and Will becomes his apprentice. that was the first book this book is about how an evil overlord called Morgarath wants to take over the castle of Araluen and the 50 fiefs.  Of course the population of Araluen fights back and the rangers are there to help. Will, Horace (Will’s old enemy who is now his friend) and Halt’s old apprentice Gilan set off to see what the enemy is up to but little do they know what happens next.

The other books in the series (the first and third books) are The Ruins of Gorlan and The Icebound Land. The series of books has 13 books (including The Lost Stories book)

Reviewed by CCC

Scorpia Rising * * * * *

An Enticing Read

Alex Rider has been on many missions, but this one may be his toughest one yet. He’s been shot by a sniper, nearly eaten by crocodiles, taken prisoner many times, nearly drowned in a submarine, and had his life in danger many more times. However, he’s always pulled through, but when his highly-praised enemy, Scorpia, plans an idea that includes using Alex to destroy Great Britain, he may just be out of luck.

Reviewed by AM