Guest Review: Legend

Reviewed by Shay S.

Title:  Legend

Author:  Marie Lu

From Amazon.com, What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths--until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

This book is full of action and suspense. It reminds you of The Hunger Games because the country fell apart and divided. Day has to elude the authorities of the Republic and figure out how to help his family without letting his mother know he is still alive. June, the little sister of Captain Metias has to hunt down Day for the murder of Metias. These teens cross paths and realize what has happened. Unexpected twist and turns on every page. Action in every chapter, this book is definitely a book I would recommend to a reader that loves action and a thriller.

Matched Review

Title:  Matched

Author:  Ally Condie

     From GoodReads, "Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

     I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted to read this book or not.  I liked the cover, but couldn't figure out how it related to the story.  I also knew that this novel was science fiction/fantasy which isn't my favorite genre so I was putting reading it off.  It wasn't until I saw that it was on the New York Times Bestseller list that I decided to take the plunge and read it and I'm so glad that I did.

     This novel is rich in so many ways... the first of which is the richness of the writing of Ally Condie.  This book is so beautifully written, I felt that it was a privilege to read each word.  I could tell that Ally Condie took her writing personally and chose each word with the greatest of concern.

     The novel takes place in the future where the Society controls everything... what you eat, who you marry, and even when you die.  This novel is reminiscent of many novels that I have previously read, but it brings a whole new spin on dystopian society.

     I loved the characters in the novel.  Cassia, the teenage girl whose life changes after she is Matched with her best friend and another boy.  Yes, that's right.  She has two matches, but one of those is a mistake.  Both of her matches, Xander and Ky, are also remarkable characters and it was easy to see how Cassia could love them both.

     Watching Cassia grow, develop, and most of all think in this novel is what makes it so wonderful.  I love how invested the reader gets with Cassia and finding out what she will do.  It is also good to see that each character has good and bad in them and that sometimes they make the right decisions and sometimes they make the wrong ones, but through it all they are human.  This is an amazing and beautiful read which is also powerful and at times, forbidden.  You will not be disappointed if you begin this book, just don't wait as long as I did.

    

Keaton's Review: Go Big or Go Home

Title: Go Big or Go Home
Author:  Will Hobbs

     When a chunk of meteor gets into earth’s atmosphere, it smashes right into Brady’s house through the roof while he is watching the meteorite show. Brady investigates and finds a meteorite he names F.R.E.D. (Far Roaming Earth Diver). After he makes the fascinating discovery he calls his extreme cousin Quinn over. Him and Quinn are the (extreme) type and love insanely awesome, out of this world, wicked cool things especially space things. Quinn first thinking that it may be valuable suggests they take to the museum on Monday. Before they went to the museum they had to have some fun and had a weekend all to themselves of extreme bicycling, dirt biking, fishing, and cave exploration. They finally headed to the museum to see the scientist and soon learned something incredible. Before and after they head to the museum Brady is noticing some strange physical increases like dunking his 6`0 tall cousin and having the speed of a buffalo, faster than a buffalo. At first he thinks nothing of F.R.E.D. but then learns more and becomes more and more suspicious. Brady soon realizes that his nightmares come true and what caused everything the way it is. Could it be his cousin coming with a very, very, very bad contagious disease? Could it be something at the science lab? Or could it be F.R.E.D.?

Carsyn's Review: Palace Beautiful

Title: Palace Beautiful
Author: Sarah Deford Williams


     From Shelfari, "When sisters Sadie and Zuzu Brooks move to Salt Lake City, they discover a secret room in the attic of their new house, with a sign that reads “Palace Beautiful” and containing an old journal. Along with their neighbor, dramatic Belladonna Desolation (real name: Kristin Smith), they take turns reading the story of a girl named Helen living during the flu epidemic of 1918. The journal ends with a tragedy that has a scary parallel to Sadie and Zuzu’s lives, and the girls become obsessed with finding out what happened to Helen after the journal ends. Did she survive the flu? Is she still alive somewhere? Or could her ghost be lurking in the nearby graveyard? Sarah DeFord Williams has created a gripping read that covers two time periods, many fantastic characters, and a can’t-put-it-down ending, all with delightful, extraordinary prose."


     I would recommend Palace Beautiful to anyone who wants to read a great book.  I would stay awake for hours reading this at night.  I quickly added this to my list of favorites.  I liked Palace Beautiful because it had events and characters that I could relate to.  It was filled with adventure, mystery, and girl power.  If you are looking for a good book, you should pick up this book!

Exciting News!

Congratulations Kaylee!

     The Doniphan-Trumbull Library has been participating in the Great Scavenger Hunt Contest, sponsored by author Kay Cassidy, since February.  To participate, students (also known as hunters) look at the list of participating books that we have in our collection and choose one that looks interesting.  Once the student reads the book, they complete the associated trivia challenge and turns it in to Ms. Sears to check.  Students must get at least eight of the ten answers correct in order to be entered into the monthly contest.  Every month, Kay Cassidy picks one lucky hunter as the winner.  The winning hunter receives a $50 gift card to the bookstore of their choice and the host library receives a prize tote filled with books to add to their own library collection.

     The winning hunter for March of 2010 was Kaylee, who took home the $50 certificate.  Just to let you know, Kaylee had a total of thirteen entries.  Wow, what a reader!  In addition to her prize, the Doniphan-Trumbull library received the following titles:

Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker

Revenge of the Homecoming Queen by Stephanie Hale

Haven by Beverly Patt

Operation YES by Sara Lewis Holmes

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

     We would like to thank the authors of those particular titles for donating their books and author, Kay Cassidy for providing libraries with such a cool program.  In this time of economic hardship, it is wonderful to know that there are such giving, incredible people out there.  It should also be noted that libraries are allowed to win more than once, so if there are students out there that still want to participate, they should start reading and scavenging today!  Please go to the Great Scavenger Hunt website or see Ms. Sears for a list of titles.

Review: Shug

Title: Shug
Author: Jenny Han


     From GoodReads, "Annemarie Wilcox, or Shug as her family calls her, is beginning to think there's nothing worse than being twelve. She's too tall, too freckled, and way too flat-chested. Shug is sure that there's not one good or amazing thing about her. And now she has to start junior high, where the friends she counts most dear aren't acting so dear anymore -- especially Mark, the boy she's known her whole life through. Life is growing up all around her, and all Shug wants is for things to be like they used to be. How is a person supposed to prepare for what happens tomorrow when there's just no figuring out today?"


     I just finished reading Jenny Han's new novel, It's Not Summer Without You last night.  After reading the novel, I remembered why I feel in love with Han's writing in the first place, Shug.  Shug reminded me again of the power of love, especially first love.


     The book was told from the perspective of Annemarie Wilcox, or Shug (her nickname).  I loved that the book was written in the style of a journal, which made the reader feel like they were participating in something secret with the main character.  Shug is an easy character to like because she is so realistic.  She is friendly, bubbly, sarcastic (at times) and funny.  When she realizes that she has strong feelings for a guy who just happens to also be her best friend, the story begins.  This is a story about guy/girl friendships and what happens when you want to be more than just friends, but aren't sure you should act on it because you might jeopardize that friendship.  I felt Shug was easy to identify with, especially if you had experience with some of the same situations she was facing.  This is Jenny Han's first novel and a incredible one it is.  I have been recommending it to many of my upper elementary and middle school readers, especially the girls, and there hasn't been a single one that has come back with anything but good things to say about this book.

Red Carpet Readers 2010

 

The fifth graders celebrate a special night on the Red Carpet with their teachers, Mrs. Osler and Miss Arterburn!

     On April 19, 2010,  Doniphan-Trumbull students, staff, and parents celebrated by watching students strut their stuff on the Red Carpet.  Thirty-one students were recognized because of their participation in the Nebraska Golden Sower Award program.  The students, in grades two through six, are required to read at least four of the nominated Nebraska Golden Sower books.  In addition to walking down the Red Carpet, the students received certificates as well as an autographed copy of The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, which was one of the nominated titles. Honored students were: Carson N, Brianna P, Katie R, Cade S, Maddy S, the other Cade S, Kate A, Kelton B, Brynna L, Kalee W, Emma C, Madi K, Logan P, Sydney S, Zoey B, Kaleb P, Josie S, Jessica C, Sarah F, Madi G, Kaylee L, David R, Abby W, Abigail W, Jon A, Kendrick B, Jamie C, Jenna C, Tate M, Makenna N, and Carsyn P.

  Two additional awards were given to teachers whose classes had the most students on the Red Carpet.  The runner-up class was Mrs. Herrmann's second grade class with a total of six students on the Red Carpet.  The winning class was actually a tie between Mrs. Osler's fifth grade class and Miss Arterburn's fifth grade class who each had seven students.  Each teacher received a book to add to their classroom libraries that were signed by the students in their classes.