Prairie Ridge Howl

Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

2012-01-26T11:21:00.001-06:00

Three Little Words is a memoir written by Ashley Rhodes- Courter. She shares the story of her life in from the day she was taken away by her seventeen year old mother, to the day she was beaten in her 6th foster care home. Ashley, along with her kid brother Luke, spent over nine years of their lives in fourteen different foster homes, together and apart. This novel is an eye-opener to what some modern day foster care homes are actually like while following the real life of a young girl. Ashley could have led a life full of sorrow and despair; however she uses her negative circumstances and hopes to change the future for children in foster care. In this novel Ashley shares what were the most influential words of her life. - Victoria V., class of 2012

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

2012-01-26T11:11:00.000-06:00

What happens to you once you die? In Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, one apparently goes to Heaven and meets five different people there, people which the individual had affected in life but had been originally unaware of their involvement in the lives of those five people.

Albom's book opens by introducing an elderly maintenance man named Eddie, who stumbles around fixing carnival rides in need of repair. While Eddie's job appears exceedingly simple, his job causes him to put his life in danger. Eventually, Eddie's life faces the ultimate danger when a ride malfunctions and is about to crush a young girl, and Eddie sacrifices himself to try to save her. After this, the reader learns of the five people Eddie meets in Heaven who each seek to teach Eddie a valuable lesson.

Personally, I could not put this book down because there are numerous twists in the story, especially when the people Eddie meets in Heaven describe the impact he made on their lives, whether he affected them distinctly or indirectly. Also, the writing style demonstrates great fluidity and reads very easily. Does Eddie save the young girl's life by sacrificing his own? Pick up "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and find out! - Courtney G., class of 2012

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2012-01-26T11:09:00.002-06:00

The fictional book The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is a fantasy story about a 16 year-old girl named Katniss who must fend for herself in a 24-person “fight to the death” competition. In her country, this annual competition pits a boy and a girl from each of the 12 “districts” within the nation. This country, located in present day North America (but far in the future), televises this competition nationwide for all citizens to watch. Katniss is one of the unlucky few to get randomly selected for these Hunger Games, along with a boy named Peeta from her district. The two of them embark on a journey to the “Capitol” of their country where they train with the other competitors for the Games. Finally, they must enter the Arena where the Games are being held and figure out a way to survive on their own. With various weapons and a demanding environment, all competitors must find a way to kill one-another, yet be the last one alive in order to win the Hunger Games.

The book was told in Katniss' point-of-view, and her character was very well developed. Her opinions and past experiences gave her much credibility throughout the book, which is key for a first-person perspective. This made me want to keep reading well past just the first chapter. After the first half of the book, however, the plot became extremely predictable and it turned into a love story. I was hoping for more of a riveting, anguishing climax to occur, but the ending is what was seemingly “supposed” to happen all along.

I would recommend this book for girls more than guys because it is told from a girl's perspective. I was not able to connect to Katniss extremely well, but a female reader might find her narration more enjoyable. As far as the overall story, I would recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys fiction, but is not looking for a thriller necessarily. It was a very easy read, and it was enjoyable at times, but in the end it did not completely fulfill the exemplary reviews that I heard about it before I cracked it open. - Kosta L., class of 2012

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

2012-01-26T11:07:00.000-06:00

No Country For Old Men follows the story of Llewelyn Moss, a welder turned outlaw when he finds a briefcase lined with 2.3 million dollars. With this great fortune, however, comes a great trial for Moss, who needs to constantly run from those searching for the briefcase and for him. The novel takes on the perspective of these men too, the sheriff of the country from which Moss is running, and a homicidal stone-faced madman on the hunt not only for money but also for Moss's life. Moss barely manages to stay ahead of his pursuers, as Sheriff Bell and the homicidal Anton Chigurh slowly close the gap between themselves and the cunning and daring Llewelyn. This leads to intense shootouts, clever traps, and dramatic conclusions in this thrilling and touching series of events.

The most interesting part of this novel was the character development, and how although the characters in the novel rarely met or never met, they seemed to play off each other perfectly through the small pieces of evidence left behind by one another and by the brief, and often tense, meetings between them. The character development also interested me in how each character had such a complex reason for their actions, and a complex back story of love and loss and insanity, but once face to face with each other, acted with little words or with little time for character interaction. Another interesting thing about the novel appeared in McCarthy's fast-paced writing style, often using a series of run-on sentences and rapid conversation (never using quotation marks). The plot had an enormous amount of action and suspense, along with a chance to feel for each character, developing into a very heart-pounding, yet tear-jerking experience. I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in action or thriller books. - Henry H., Class of 2012

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

2012-01-26T10:53:00.002-06:00

With Christopher Paolini’s conclusion to the Inheritance saga with Inheritance this book should really only be read if you have already read the previous books in this series Eragon, Eldest, and Brisinger. Inheritance starts out where Brisinger ended and follows the main character Eragon on the last leg of his journey through the land of Alagaësia to overthrow the Evil King Galbatorix. In this book all the questions posed throughout this book and the other books will be answered. I cannot go into specifics as that would spoil the other three books in the series. This book is in the fantasy genre and that in itself got me reading this series but this book in particular had a deep and engaging plot and keep me hooked until the end so that I could learn what would happen. This book is great for everyone but is quite long so if you are looking for a quick read this is not it, though you should still read it because of how good it was. Do you want to know how everything ends? Read this to find out. - Aaron M., class of 2012

Wuthering Heights

2012-01-26T10:42:00.001-06:00

Emily Brontë, both began and finished her writing career with the classic English novel Wuthering Heights. Set in the year 1770, this novel takes readers into the minds of both Lockwood, a small town boy and his housekeeper, Nelly. Having both Lockwood and Nelly act as outsiders looking in, gives this story an unique perspective that has not been achieve in many other novels. High praise goes out to Brontë for her enchanting voice as not one but two characters. Stunningly written, this gothic story follows the lives of three middle class characters caught in a twisted love triangle. The original Catherine acts as the strong and cruel female lead who steels the love of two unfortunate souls, Edgar and Heathcliff. As counterparts of one another both men use different antics to find love. However, in the end one truth remains; neither one has a chance at escaping her siren calls and natural beauty and so these two men fight through a bloody war of deception and heart break in order to win over the love of both their lives. A story for the hopeless romantic, this tale begs the question; is all really fair in love and war? - Kendra S., class of 2012

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

2012-01-26T10:41:00.002-06:00

Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a great read for those who enjoy bizarre novels. The story is about a reporter, Raoule Duke, and his big Samoan attorney, Doctor Gonzo, who are appointed to travel to Las Vegas. Their goal is to "find the American Dream" and write an article on it. The kicker, though, is when the reader discovers that all expenses will be covered by Duke’s business. Now, the novel takes place in the 60s-70s era, and drugs are a common and prominent theme in the story. Knowing that all of their expenses will be covered, Duke and his partner in crime spend hundreds of dollars gathering an arsenal of various drugs. Ultimately, their plan is to binge on their stash for a week straight, no stopping. After reading the first page of the novel, the reader can infer how the rest of the story may go.

Personally, the plot of the story and all the trouble they get into is a bit overwhelming. The things that happen to these two men would astound even the most understanding of people. However, the overall exaggerated events make the story fun to read and exciting to anticipate. Event after event after event has the reader at the edge of the seat waiting for the next crazy thing to happen. All in all, I found Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas entertaining the whole way through, start to finish. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a classic novel. - Dane B., class of 2012

Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane

2012-01-26T10:39:00.004-06:00

Shutter Island is a fantastic movie, but a far more intriguing book. The tale begins with mysterious U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels being assigned a new missing person case on the island holding Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. But how hard should it really be to find a missing person on an island, right? Teddy not only carries around his own dark past now, but must deal with an every darker plot presently. Ashecliffe is a mystery in itself, holding so much room for so little patients, offering no answers on the case, and offering the strangest doctors. Just when you believe you have puzzle pieces collected for one mystery, Lehane cleverly twists the story and makes it that much more complex and engrossing. The end offers an incredible twist which is sure to make you think. I found it haunting me throughout the day which is clearly a sign of a phenomenal read in which I could seldomly put down. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who seeks a very intelligently written, suspenseful, original and thrilling story! Who really is Teddy Daniels? - Katie N., class of 2012

One Day by David Nicholls

2012-01-11T11:01:00.000-06:00

The book, One Day, by David Nicholls is a great book with an unusual format. In One Day you take a look at one day, July 15, through eyes of the two main characters, Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley. You get to follow their lives all the way from 1988 to 2008. It all starts at graduation when Emma and Mayhew meet formally for the first time. They are complete opposites though. Emma is quirky and a little bit nerdy, whereas Dexter is outgoing and adventurous. The book starts out with a vague description of the night that they had together after graduation. From there the readers are kept guessing about what really happened on that day, and the book takes them on a ride through the lives of Emma and Dexter. You are taken through their hardships, happy times, and everything in between. Overall, One Day is a great book, but I would definitely recommend it to older teenagers due to the language and content. - Evan H., class of 2012

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

2012-01-09T09:17:00.000-06:00

The book Water for Elephants is an adventurous, eye- opening story about a boy, Jacob, who looses everything and flees to the circus. There he meets wonderful new friends, some intense and dangerous people, and the most beautiful woman he has ever set eyes on. Jacob encounters numerous trials that he must overcome to save his life and the lives of those he loves. One of his very best friends is an elephant who causes trouble but is a talented and sweet creature. The obstacles that Jacob experiences keep the reader on the edge of their seat for the entire novel. I honestly could not put the book down. I found myself thinking about the characters and plot throughout the day, which truly means that it is a fantastic book. There are numerous unexpected twists and turns and the ending is thrilling and unbelievable. I could never have predicted the ending, which makes the whole book even more spectacular. I recommend this book to anyone of any age with any interests; it is such an intriguing story, filled with love, danger, adventure and suspense. It is a quick but worthwhile read that everyone should enjoy! - Elaine C., class of 2012

Room by Emma Donoghue

2012-01-09T09:15:00.001-06:00

The book Room was a great thriller! The author keeps you guessing the whole book, which just makes you never want to put the book down. The book has many twists and turns that you wouldn’t imagine. This book shows a mother’s love for her son and that she will do anything to make him lead a normal life. I highly recommend this book to anyone, it is an easy read because it is from the kid’s point of view, but it is still really well written. - Christina T., class of 2012

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

2012-01-09T09:13:00.002-06:00

Daniel Quinn’s novel, Ishmael, was assigned to my Environmental Science class by Mr. Senese. Many people in my class said that it was very boring and many people couldn’t stand this style of book. By “this style of book” I mean a majority of the book consisting of a conversation about our lives on earth between a man and a very intelligent gorilla, named Ishmael. Contrary to my classmates, I happened to think the novel was very eye-opening and intriguing. The ideas explored in the book really kept me reading, and the flowing nature of the informal conversation makes it a relatively quick read. I would suggest this book to older readers, who don’t require a menagerie of action sequences to get through a book, and anyone who has a great curiosity about a great number of things such as myself. - Cody P., class of 2012

Sometimes people wonder where their mannerisms came from, or how their ancestors created such an elaborate universe. Ishmael is a gorilla that speaks telepathically to a special young man, who becomes his pupil after reading an ad in the paper that captures his attention. Ultimately, Ishmael's pupil learns about how the Earth's people behave and why they behave in that manner, with detailed explanations and breathtaking stories told by Ishmael along the way. Personally, I could not put this specific novel dow n because of the large amounts of informmation that back up Ishmael's beliefs; they really "suck in" readers! Also, toward the end of the novel, readers can find out if the special young man applied Ishmael's recommendations to his life. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in anthropology and how our world came to be. What you know about the world will drastically change after you embark on this incredible, unforgettable journey! - Brittany G., class of 2012

The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian

2012-01-09T09:12:00.000-06:00

This book starts off with the scene of a rape. A young lady, Laurel, was raped when she was in college. About seven years later, Laurel who works at a homeless shelter, comes upon a collection of a dead homeless guy's photos. Sifting through these photos, she finds pictures of a lady on a bike, a lady that looks like her the day she was raped. She becomes convinced that this lady is her and that these pictures were taken a few minutes before she was raped. She spends the next few months investig ating the homeless guy's life to figure out what connection he could have had to her rape. This book takes the reader along for the ride, adding unexpected twists and turns. Chris Bohjalian targets this book at audiences that love suspense and love guessing what the next twist will be. Can you figure out the truth before the book ends? - Michelle K., class of 2012

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

2012-01-09T09:10:00.000-06:00

George R.R. Martin is best known for the series a Song of Ice and Fire. He started the series off with a Game of Thrones, and I really enjoyed the book. A Game of Thrones is written in the perspectives of different characters each chapter, while developing the overall plot respective to each character's knowledge at the time. This fantasy/epic was incredibly good, the somewhat large amount of main characters makes for a very interesting read as you get to see what is going on from different perspectiv es and is one of my favorite things about the book.

A Game of Thrones takes place in a fantasy world where there are two main continents. The first being where the action mostly takes place. This continent is known as the Seven Kingdoms. The other is not named officially, but houses the Free Cities and the great plains where the Dothraki people live as nomads/raiders. The book is about these seven kingdoms, and the proud houses that rule their respective territories underneath the King ultimately. Of these houses, the Starks of the North and the Lannisters of the West fight for what seems to be power for the Lannisters and honor/family for the Starks.

The power struggles that take place because within the Seven Kingdoms tests each house and many lives are lost. However, Winter is Coming, and while they fight about their petty desires, they oversee more dangerous threats. A daughter of the last king who was overthrown, who intends to bring a giant Dothraki horde to the Seven Kingdoms and reclaim her family’s lost throne, and th e other threat looms in the north, beyond a giant ice wall that protects the realm from mysterious ice cold evils.

I think that many guys would love this book, especially if you like The Lord of the Rings, or The Hobbit. But girls as well, my mom for one, loved the book. You cant help but enjoy reading about the witty and humorous Tyrion Lannister, the cold hearted Cersei, the “adorable” bran, and the noble Eddard Stark. In the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. Would you hinder yourself by staying true to family values and honor, or would you play the game like many others and exercise any means to win the throne? - Jack H., class of 2012

Book Club Discusses Imagination, Ambition

2011-12-16T09:30:00.000-06:00

On December 15, members of the PR Book Club met to talk about Frank Beddor's The Looking Glass Wars. Bibwit Harte, one of the characters in this novel, provided some profound statements for us to discuss. For example, what is the role of imagination in our lives and also how we might choose our friends. Do we surround ourselves by people who have the same amount of intelligence and education we have? Or is it something different like one's perspective or ambition?

Besides enjoying the cookies, candy canes, and conversation, we also built a tree out of rarely-used reference books. And, no, we didn't play Jenga after.

Over break, we'll be reading (among other books such as the Chaos Walking series and the Inheritance series) The Likeness by Tana French in preparation for our Jan. 5 meeting.

Best of 2011 Lists

2011-12-15T13:25:00.002-06:00

Audible.com's Best AudioBooks of 2011
Amazon.com's Best Books of 2011
Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Books of 2011
Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Books of 2011
NPR's Best Books of 2011
NYTimes.com - 100 Notable Books of 2011
School Library Journal's Best Books of 2011

Book Club in Wolf Prints

2011-12-05T13:34:00.000-06:00

Read the book club article from the Nov/Dec edition of the Wolf Prints.

Maze Runner Discussion

2011-10-31T11:43:00.000-05:00

Book club met on Thursday, October 27 to talk about The Maze Runner by James Dashner. A fun part of discussion was trying to answer questions without giving away what happens in the next two books. Several of us had read the sequel, The Scorch Trials, and one had already finished The Death Cure. One student commented that in The Scorch Trials, "the answers to the questions created more questions." Indeed, Dashner parcels out information in very small bits, leaving the reader breathless for the conclusion.

Pastwatch: the Redemption of Christopher Columbus by Orson Scott Card

2011-10-28T12:56:00.001-05:00

Orson Scott Card, known for his Nebula Award winning book Ender's Game, has given us another incredible creation that is perfect for all age groups. In his book Pastwatch, the world is in a global crisis. Famines, droughts, global warming, and lack of energy resources have left the world in turmoil. It is up to a small group of scientists to travel back in time and figure out what root cause for all the corruption in the world. This group of scientists believes if they alter the past at the moment when Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas it will solve all the suffering in the world and restore the planet back to its natural state. They learn that their time machine can actually send information to the past unlike previous ones that only showed videos and dialogues so they know that they have the power to rewrite history. The three main characters: Kemal, Diko, and, Hunahpu choose to travel back in time and influence the outcome of the discovery of America by strategically placing themselves around the savage villages in an attempt to change the outcome. They have to be extremely cautious because erasing all the suffering in the world by messing with the past can have some irrevocable consequences. I really enjoyed this book because it alternated between the stories of the Pastwatch members and the life of Christopher Columbus until they finally converge when he arrives in the Americas. - Mike N., class of 2012

The Hunger Games

2011-10-28T12:52:00.000-05:00

This fast-past, exhilarating novel follows Katniss, a young teenage girl in her fight against both life and death. Katniss Everdeen resides with her mother and younger sister Prim, in the poor District 12. This book takes place in the ‘future’ of America, where government is headed by the Capitol, and has 12 different districts to correspond with it. Due to a fight in the government before this book takes place, each district is required to send two of their residents ages 12 to 18 to compete in The Hunger Games, or in reality, a fight for life. Specifically, we follow Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the two chosen to represent their district in the games. As soon as they begin to prepare, the twists and turns Collins surrounds the plot with are thrilling, leaving the reader thirsting for more after each page. Katniss and Peeta are supposed to be fighting each other, however as the days get longer, their emotions get stronger, and the hunger begins to creep in, each move they make could be the difference between life and death. - Victoria, class of 2012

The Martian Chronicles

2011-10-28T12:51:00.001-05:00

Ray Bradbury has written many famous Science Fiction books, like Fahrenheit 451 And The Illustrated Man, the book I chose to read was The Martian Chronicles. This book is all about when Earth went to Mars and what happened in the intervening years. The book is more like a collection of short stories all about different aspects of life on Mars and the Martians, who live there, than a full book, but that being said, all the short stories are connected together via a overall theme of colonization that the book has. Though this book really has no main characters, it usually introduces on for the chapter and then moves on, it does a good job of characterizing all the people who come to Mars, from the Frontiersmen to the Business people. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Sciences fiction, though one word of warning, it does start out a bit slow in my opinion so just keep reading it gets interesting quickly after the beginning. If you want to read about what happens when humans take a faithful first step on Mars read the Martian Chronicles. - Aaron M., class of 2012

The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry

2011-10-28T12:49:00.000-05:00

The Jefferson Key, by Steve Berry, is not an ordinary mystery novel. It is a story packed with conspiracy, secrecy, and the unraveling of America’s convoluted past. The novel focuses on the Commonwealth, a secret society invented by the author that in the story has existed since the American Revolution. This group of privateers is the explanation for countless unsolved conspiracies in American History, like the assassination of the 4 murdered presidents in the U.S.’ past. Now, the Commonwealth has struck again as it has attempted to kill the current president of the United States. As the FBI, CIA, NIA, and NIS become involved, numerous new characters realize that this is no normal murder case. A secret code written during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency now is the key to unlocking the mystery of the Commonwealth’s efforts, and it will take brains, violence, and a little luck to crack the ultimate mystery of America’s history. Overall, this book has more complex characters and complicated character backgrounds than any other novel I have ever read. HOWEVER, Steve Berry does a spectacular job of developing these characters and allowing the reader to truly understand their pasts, their current thoughts, and their future motives. This fiction novel would be a great choice for all genders, but especially for history buffs who enjoy American conspiracy. Advanced readers would be more suitable for this book due to its convoluted plot, and a leisurely reader may get lost in the whirlwind of facts, conspiracies, and characters. However, this book is made for those who love action from beginning to end without being bored with those typical, “dull middles” of most books. Going into this book, I figured it would be just a normal mystery novel involving some hidden treasure and secret messages. I was happily mistaken. - Kosta, class of 2012

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011-10-28T12:47:00.000-05:00

Kathryn Stockett’s novel, The Help, takes place in the 60’s, a time of immense segregation in the South. The book is written from different perspectives of three seemingly different women: Skeeter, a young aspiring journalist who still lives at home; Aibileen, a sweet maid who has always taken her orders quietly; and Minny, another maid who has trouble holding her tongue- and her job. As the paths of these women cross, they end up working on a project that could forever change their small town. Skeeter’s idea was to write a book that revealed the good and the bad times of the life of a maid; the risk, unimaginable. After much convincing, Aibileen is the first to agree to the dangerous task, and works to recruit other maids willing to tell their stories. Suspicions arise from town gossipers and nosey, racist women, and the reader is overcome with a hope that this Anonymous book will be a success. Anyone who loves a humorous page-turner will not be disappointed with The Help. Will the book be published? Will Skeeter’s secret meetings with the maids be discovered? Through the pages, colors such as acceptance, friendship and determination all blend together to make one masterpiece of the hope for a better tomorrow. - Morgan M., class of 2012

Ridiculous/hilarious/terrible/cool : a year in an American high school

2011-10-28T12:39:00.002-05:00

Ridiculous/ hilarious/ terrible/ cool, is a book that follows the lives of eight high school students on their journey through senior year of high school. Whether it’s Zef, the half asleep less than scholar, Emily the soccer player, Maya the actor, Daniel the class president, Anais the dancer, Anthony the failure, or Aisha the Muslim, they all make for a very interesting story. This book will take you on a journey through a year at Walter Payton High School in C hicago. Follow each student on their crazy journey as they struggle to decide on the right college to attend. It was a decent novel that I would recommend for an audience of students who are about to attend high school. It was a fun read, but not the best for someone at a high school level. I would recommend this book to anyone who is soon to attend high school. Overall, this novel was worth the read, but not the best. - Dan, Chris, Mike, class of 2013

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

2011-10-27T09:34:00.001-05:00

The writer, Alice Sebold, has gifted us a wonderful novel named The Lovely Bones. The novel is a gripping tale of a fourteen years old murder victim, Susie Salmon, who was killed and raped by her neighbor. Susie then goes to her own heaven, from where she observes how her death has affected her family and friends, especially her father. The novel’s first half is its strongest part, where all the murder mystery is solved. The second half of the novel is very interesting, also. It mostly becomes a ghost story, as Susie watches her beloved ones get older and observes the problems in their lives and still how much she is missed by all, and how her dad is still trying to solve her murder though he is pretty sure who is the murderer. The author has done a very good job writing this beautiful and heart-worming book, which is full of suspense. Whether a male or female, this novel would be enjoyed by the age ranges from teenagers to middle aged readers. Do you want to find out how her murder was solved? Then read the heart-worming tale of Susie Salmon in the novel, The Lovely Bones. - Sulwana H., class of 2012

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

2011-10-27T09:32:00.000-05:00

Jamie Ford’s debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, was an immediate success and maintained a place on the New York Times Best Sellers Fiction Books list for many weeks. Rightfully so, the novel is an excellent piece of historical fiction that educated and thoughtfully entertained readers for the entire book. The United States Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal”. During WWII, this statement did not hold true. The United States government felt that Japanese Americans were a national security threat. An “I am Chinese” button is worn by twelve-year-old Henry Lee, the book’s main character. Henry wears this button to publically indentify his ethnicity. He doesn’t want to be confused with a Japanese American, a national security threat, during “the war years”. This button sets the foundation of conflict Henry faces between his father’s Chinese-nationalistic, anti Japanese views and his relationship development with Keiko, a Japanese-American friend from school. Henry is forced to make his own decision regarding the Japanese people, as well as form opinions about his beliefs in this coming of age story. The style of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is very easy to follow. The novel alternates between Henry’s youth in the 1940’s and his adult life in 1986. Numerous themes intertwine through the story: first love, discrimination, bullying, family communication conflicts, death, nationalism and reconciliation, are illustrated in this beautifully crafted novel. These themes are addressed thoughtfully and carefully, and following each subplot will make you smile, laugh and even cry. The character development causes the reader to feel empathy for Henry and Keiko during Henry’s uncomfortable relationship with his father, United States discrimination and frustration at Henry’s lack of communication. High school and adult readers can relate to the life themes addressed in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and an important period of American history can be viewed and experienced. If you were Henry, what would you have done? Would you have risked everything to do what you believed in? Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is like a time capsule; open up the novel and immediately be whisked away. –Helen B., Class of 2012

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

2011-10-27T09:31:00.000-05:00

The first book by Malcolm Gladwell that I read was Blink, and many people suggested that Outliers was even better, his best even. I loved Blink. So naturally, I had to pick up Outliers the first chance I got. Like Blink, it was a collection of very interesting and thought provoking stories, with some analysis and heavy connections to one another. This time the main theme, instead of sub-conscious thinking, was about successful people and how they accomplished it. It contains numerous intriguing stories ranging fr om Jewish lawyers to extreme geniuses. At times it got extremely repetitive and predictable but these situations occur only every so often and are easy to skim over for important connections so you can move on the the next anecdote. Anyone from teens to adults would enjoy this book, I would encourage anyone not in highschool shy away but only because his diction is at a higher level and some background knowledge is required to fully appreciate the anecdotes and stories. Compared to Blink, I think Outliers fell just short of my expectations but only due to the fact that my expectations were so high to begin with. It was still a fantastic book. One thing that Outliers has over Blink is the ending, the ending of Outliers was a fantastic and perfect way to close out the book. The point is, if you enjoyed Blink or simply like knowing a lot of cool, obscure facts Outliers is a great choice. - Cody P., class of 2012

A Brave New World

2011-10-25T21:48:00.001-05:00

After reading A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, I’ve had quite a lot to contemplate. The book reads fairly quickly, and can be read at a staggeringly quick pace. The book’s plot is based off of a modern society in a fashion similar to 1984. The new society has no sadness, and no love. It elicits only feelings of gratification and satisfaction. Children are now made in a factory and people are created specifically for classes in society ranging from the intellectual Alphas and the menial labor workers, th e Gammas and Epsilons. One alpha by the name or Bernard brings a savage back into the society, a person who has grown up in a life more similar to ours today. Shenanigans ensue from this point forward. Numerous life questions including religion, self discovery, and the very definition of happiness are addressed in the novel. If you enjoyed 1984, you would most likely also enjoy this book, as well as any who are looking for a piece to read and never forget. Undoubtedly you will be discussing the book with others. Perhaps it will even instill some new morale in you! We may believe that love is something we all long for in life, but in this brave new world love is weak. Love leads to sadness, and love must be abolished. Find out who the real savages are in A Brave New World, check it out today! - Kurtis S., class of 2012

Brave New World is set in the future with a very interesting concept. There are no more families, no more moms and dads, and no more deep human emotion. Everyone is raised and born in a factory called a Hatchery, and the things that go on in the factory are nothing less than ethically questionable. The main character, Bernard, finds himself to be less physically gifted as his peers, and struggles to fit into this emotionless wonderland. I really enjoyed this book, especially the beginning where Aldous does a great job of laying out what the future is like. - Jack H., class of 2012

Dune by Frank Herbert

2011-10-25T21:46:00.001-05:00

To begin a review about one of the greatest science fiction works of all time, one must take a brief look at its interesting system of politics that holds one of the most important features of the novel, majorly affecting the decisions made by the characters and the consequences of their actions. The system of leadership consists of a tripod of power; the empire consisting of the emperor’s house, along with the smaller houses voting upon the emperor’s actions, the Bene Gesserit female school of manipulation and “sorce ry,” who have the power of control over the human mind, and finally the Spacing Guild who hold a monopoly over the mysterious process of interplanetary space travel. The story begins, however with the son of a duke of the minor House Atreides, Paul Atreides, and his father, Duke Leto, and his mother, a Bene Gesserit “witch”, being uprooted from their home of Caladan to rule over the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune. Imagine this planet as similar to Tatooine Star Wars, only a lot…spicier, completely desolate of life and containing the Atreides House’s greatest enemy, the House Harkonnen; the feud between them lasting generations. The wealth of this seemingly desolate planet, however, lies in both its greatest crop, the drug of spice, or mélange, which grants the user a limited sight of the future, and its tough and mystic tribal people, the Fremen. What unravels on the desert planet of Arrakis involves betrayal, loss, grief, deception, a newfound power, an exile form his home, the founding of a new home, and the unraveling of th At almost every point of Dune, the plot was extremely captivating; drawing me in with its interesting system of politics, its unique and complete character development, and descriptive action sequences, but there were its slow points at well. Often times the action sequences seemed too short and were often followed by long periods of contemplation by the characters, which were fascinating, but often repetitive and not very well spoken by the author. On that note, the writing for this novel was not very sophisticated, and at certain points detracted from the plot a bit. Overall, however, the plot of this book had so many interesting twists, turns, strange occurrences, great character interaction, and overall captivating moments that I would definitely recommend reading the novel, especially to those who are fans of science fiction or fans of a novel that will take you on a captivating ride through giant sand worms, interplanetary disputes, political deception, and a journey f orm youth to manhood. - Henry H., class of 2012

The Glass Castle

2011-10-24T09:21:00.000-05:00

Author of the award winning novel Half Broke Horses, Jeannette Walls exhibits her profound perspective on life in her latest memoir, The Glass Castle. Leaving out no detail, no emotion, and no secret she engulfs audiences into her childhood one page at a time.

For fans of A Child Called It and The Diary of Ann Frank, this masterpiece will open up a world that has few blessings among a sea of heartache.

In the streets of New York City, Jeannette finds her mother, Rose Mary homeless without a penny to her name. Staring into her soul, Jeannette’s mind fills with the memories of her past, reflected in her mother’s eyes. As she relives the tales of old, she shares with readers the predicaments that made her into the person she is today.

Spending her days living in everything from a landfill to a rundown dwelling, Jeannette sadly never realized her life was missing anything. Her parents spent all their time and effort claiming that she’d be provided for no matter what.

However, instead of bringing home money for the essentials of survival, they lived every moment searching for alcohol, prostitution, and any evil they claimed to be a necessary part of life’s adventure.

With their Intellect and inventive personalities, their parents brainwashed the Wall children into believing that they always had honorable intentions. But once adolescence struck, Lori the oldest daughter along with Jeannette, learned that this was hardly ever the case. At this moment, they saw into the darkness of their family’s existence.

Faced with this realization, they had to make a tough decision; to stay with their family in order to make sure their siblings were provided for or run away from the life they’d always known? Love the parents that made a million mistakes or forgive them with compassion they did not deserve? ~ Kendra S., class of 2012

The Solitude of Prime Numbers

2011-10-24T09:19:00.002-05:00

The Solitude of Prime Numbers tells the tale of Alice and Mattia, two people who consider themselves to be alone, just like prime numbers. The novel switches between Alice and Mattia’s point of view to paint their story. After traumatizing events in both of their childhoods, we see their lives intersect over a span of years. As Alice and Mattia grow they struggle with supporting each other and escaping their past. This novel never slows down, skipping years at a time to arrive at action. Although it isn’t a light read, The Solitude of Prime Numbers is a good depiction of what relationships are really like, without the predictable Hollywood ending. Can prime numbers ever be together? - Alexandra S., class of 2012

Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

2011-10-24T09:17:00.000-05:00

S.J. Watson's debut novel Before I Go to Sleep is fascinating, disturbing, and memorable. The story concerns Christine, who after what she believes was a car crash, develops a form of amnesia, which has left her able to store memories for only 24 hours. As a result, her sanity and identity are assaulted every time she wakes up, and so every morning, her husband Ben must begin the day by highlighting the circumstances of her life. Once Christine's doctor encourages her to document each of her days and keep track of daily discoveries, the novel takes the form of a journal and questions of trust arise as the psychological drama transforms into a suspenseful thriller. The unique structure and Watson's way of telling Christine's story result in a devastatingly heartfelt, full of uncertainty and peril, unpredictable novel recommended for anyone looking for a book, which not only provides pleasurable reading, but challenges the notion of reality. Watson's novel leaves readers questioning whether is it always best to know the truth. - Kasia R., class of 2012

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011-10-19T08:38:00.000-05:00

The Help, Kathryn Stockett’s first novel, takes place in the 1960s where segregation is still prevalent. The novel focuses on Skeeter, a young white lady determined on landing a job at a prestigious journalist firm in New York. Skeeter decides to write a book from the point of view of a few black maids. She gets this idea when her best friend Elizabeth builds a special bathroom for her maid Aibileen, because ‘black people are dirty’. Skeeter interviews two maids Aibileen and Minny. Aibileen is a sweet and caring person, while Minny is hilarious and outspoken. The two maids share their good and bad and funny stories with Skeeter in secret. The town cannot find out that Skeeter is writing this book because their reactions would be worse than the government’s punishment. This book dangles the reader on the edge, throwing in close-calls and suspense. Throughout this book I was constantly cheering on Skeeter and her maids, wondering if the book will even be published and if Skeeter’s friends will ever find out. The Help kept me up all night with its constant suspense and engaging tale. I recommend this book to anyone who desires a book they cannot put down. - Michelle K, class of 2012

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2011-10-18T11:30:00.001-05:00

Speak was a real page turner! I could never put the book down; every page is full of excitement and always keeps you interested. The book is about a girl named Melinda and her journey through her freshman year. Her year isn’t like everyone else’s freshman year. She has a secret that you don’t find out till the end of the book. Read to find out the secret! I recommend this book to any teen that is looking for an easy read but still at the same time looking for a really good book. Chrissy T, class of 2012

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

2011-10-18T11:26:00.000-05:00

Christopher John Francis Boone is a 15 year old boy with asperger’s syndrome and is trying to solve the suspicious murder of his neighbor’s dog, Wellington. Through his investigations, he finds out that his mother is still alive after his father told him that she died of a heart attack when he was nine. Now he embarks unknowingly on an adventure to locate his mother and find the courage to trust his father again. Mark Haddon beautifully illustrates Christopher’s feelings an d overly logical thinking, so to make you feel sympathy for him and make you want to reach out and help him. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a short but good read. Can you help Christopher solve the mystery of the murder of Wellington? - Kayleen G, class of 2012

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

2011-10-17T11:39:00.000-05:00

Today, people view the issue of abortion in two ways: pro-abortion, or anti-abortion. Both sides have valid reasons as to why they should be supported, but have you ever wondered if the two sides could somehow compromise on their ideals?

In Neal Shusterman’s Unwind, a compromise on abortion is reached after the Second Civil War, “the Heartland War,” allows parents to have their children unwound—a three-hour long process that harvests a child’s body parts to be used in other people if their child was between the ages of 13-18. Because Unwinds did not technically “die” since their body parts lived on in other people, Unwinding is viewed as a completely humane practice rather than murder.

The main characters in Unwind are Connor, Risa, and Lev—all teenagers sent to be unwound. Unwind centers on these three teenagers, describing their journeys to achieve their unanimous goal of survival, despite their different backgrounds. In my opinion, Neal Shusterman did a phenomenal job creating his characters in Unwind. There were times where I despised characters because of their hasty actions, but then, thirty pages later, I’d grow to love them for the same reason I originally hated them for.

Unwind was difficult for me to put down because the characters were constantly developing and each individual character’s journey somehow intertwined with another’s to create a larger story of morality. Once you thought you understood a character, they would change, and once you thought you knew what would happen next, you were proved wrong.

If you are a Science Fiction fan or enjoy books where you experience plot twists and love-hate relationships with the characters, this is the book for you. Pick up Unwind and ask yourself: “if every part of [somebody] is alive but inside someone else…are [they] alive or are [they] dead?” (Shusterman 167). - Courtney G, class of 2012

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2011-10-17T11:35:00.000-05:00

No wonder Speak is an award-winning novel; any teenage reader will dive right into the story of Melinda, a high school freshmen. She has trouble making friends, keeping her grades up, and maintaining a loving relationship with her parents. She has a secret that remains hidden until the very end of the novel as to why she never speaks. The fact that Melinda did keep her determination up definitely kept me reading. There were so many unexpected turns! Do you want to find out Melinda's secret? Read Speak! - Brittany G, class of 2012

Banned Books Week 2011 - To Kill a Mockingbird

2011-09-26T12:47:00.003-05:00

Each year ALA celebrates Banned Books Week in order to remind us all about the dangers of censorship. Above, hear a passage from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. More videos will be published throughout the week to the Banned Books Week YouTube channel.

Book Club Begins

2011-09-23T10:03:00.001-05:00

On Thursday, September 22, PR readers gathered for the first book club of the year. We introduced ourselves and recommended titles we've read recently, decided to have monthly meetings, and enjoyed picking out "bookfessions." And of course, the cookies were good too.

Here are the titles mentioned during introductions:
Going Bovine
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Before I Die
The Wedding
Iron King series
Rainmaker
Artemis Fowl
Sarah's Key
Anne of Green Gables
Shiver
Fire
Dresden files
World War Z
The Demon King, The Exiled Queen, The Gray Wolf Throne
Awaken the Highland Warrior
The Windup Girl
Divergent
The Power of Six
A Child Called It
The Beyonders series

Banned Books Week 2011 - Virtual Read-out

2011-09-22T11:27:00.000-05:00

Each year ALA celebrates Banned Books Week in order to remind us all about the dangers of censorship. Above, see Chris Crutcher reading a passage from his book Deadline. More videos will be published throughout the week to the Banned Books Week YouTube channel.

Kravitz in Hunger Games Movie

2011-05-25T13:01:00.000-05:00

According to CNN Entertainment, Musician Lenny Kravitz will be joining the cast of the Hunger Games movie, scheduled for release March 23, 2012.

The Tower of Beowulf by Parke Godwin

2011-05-01T17:27:00.000-05:00

Parke Godwin surprised us with the novel The Tower of Beowulf. Let’s just put it this way. It was boring to be honest. The story of Beowulf begins with him being a hero of the Geats (Swedish people). He is called upon by king Hrothgar to defeat Grendle, a monster terrorizing their town and people. After Beowulf slays Grendle, his mother get enraged and declares vengeance on Beowulf for killing her son. This entices the second battle for Beowulf as he has to defeat Grendle’s m other now. As you may have guessed, Beowulf wins and becomes king of Geats. Many years later an unnamed dragon comes by to terrorize the land. Beowulf gathers a good friend of his and goes to hunt down the dragon and kill it. This book was very long and drawn out to the point of boredom. From the beginning to the end it was a very slow read. Therefore we advise not to “sink your teeth” into this book. - Alan, Tom, and Ben, class of 2011

I am Morgan le Fay by Nancy Springer

2011-05-01T17:19:00.000-05:00

Although everyone knows King Arthur and his legendary tale, few know the story of the hands who dealt his ruin. Nancy Springer, known for her various works of historical fiction, tells the tale of becoming Morgan le Fay. As the magical half-sister of King Arthur, I am Morgan le Fay, depicts the struggles in which a young girl comes to terms with life after losing her parents along and the luxurious existence that she has always known. After desperate attempts to escape fate, Mo rgan must choose between family, love, and power in the pursuit of becoming the supernatural phenomenon that she is known for. Although this is an interesting view on the classic tale of Camelot, the author struggles to capture the attention of the reader due to repetition and a lack of luster throughout the plot. This novel is an adequate prelude to the rise and fall of King Arthur; however it leaves the reader wanting more. - Tyler, Grace, Mary, class of 2011

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

2011-05-01T17:18:00.000-05:00

Lev Grossman, best known for this novel, The Magicians, has finally brought a synthesized but more realistic look at The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter to young adults. Quentin Coldwater, a normal high school student, has always dreamed of being a magician. Assuming that that dream would never come true, Quentin was preparing to live a normal life on Earth. He often dreamed of being a magician as well as going to a magical world called Fillory in which he never believe d to exist. That all quickly changed when he was mysteriously led to a gateway to a magical college where he had to undergo several tests in order to be enrolled at this prestigious college. Quentin decided to enroll at Brakebills College, and realized a fate that he never thought would materialize, he would be a magician. Quentin completes his rigorous education at Brakebills and eventually realizes that this made up world he dreamed about, Fillory, was actually real and he must do something in order to save it. Quentin Coldwater and his Brakebills friends become very real and down to earth, as if this magical college were almost the same as real college. He partakes in activities that any normal college student would experience: sex, alcohol, love, friendship, and adventure. This book is a great fit for all young adults as it provides characters and situations in a fantasy world that feel like they could happen in the real world. So in the end will Quentin be a magic ian worthy of saving the world he once believed never existed? - Chris, Kevyn, Andrew, class of 2011

The King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett

2011-05-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

Everyone proabably know the story of Odysseus and his 10 year adventure , but what about the things Odysseus left behind? When Odysseus left, he left behind a kindom, a wife, and most of all, a son. The King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett tells a great story through the eyes of Telemachos, Odysseus’ son, and his struggles while Odysseus is away. From Telemachos’ pesky neighbors, to his own adventure to find his dad, Barrett leaves the readers on the edge of their seats wantin g to keep turning the page, chapter after chapter, through twists and turns that prove Telemachos is ready to take Odysseus’ place as king of Ithaka. We would recommend this book to anybody, even if their not a big book reader. This book will keep them entertained and wanting more. We can garentee this because two out of the three people in our group don’t like reading books, but everyone couldn’t stop reading The King of Ithaka. - Mike, Elliott, Stephanie, class of 2011

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Child

2011-05-01T17:14:00.005-05:00

What would you do if you were 5200 miles away from home, little contact with your best friends, living with an evil stepsister, and trying to survive a school with descendents of the gods? The catch: she can’t tell anyone. Phoebe Castro is new to the secret island of Serfopoula and must try and survive this year away from home so that she is able to keep her running scholarship at USC. This might be hard considering the boy she likes is trying to sabotage her. Phoebe’s quirky personality and strive to be as good as the gods makes this book a quick and easy read for all teenage girls. If you enjoy Greek Mythology, then this is the book for you. It reminds you of the times when you were little and thought magical powers were something you could acquire. Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Childs although predictable at times, leaves you with a big surprise at the end. - Maggie and Amanda, class of 2011

Tera Childs puts a modern spin on Greek mythology in her book Oh.My.Gods. A California cross country star, Phoebe, moves halfway across the world when her mother falls in love with the mysterious Damian. As Phoebe struggles with this new adjustment, she learns that the mythological Greek gods exist and that being a “nothos” is dangerous. The cat fights, love interests, and heroic characters make this book hard to put down. Even though this book was a good read, Tera Childs had inaccurate in formation regarding cross country and track and field. Moreover, her writing style and dialogue does not adhere to the style of modern teenage language. Despite the slipups, the book was compelling and the author did an excellent job of stereotyping the Greek gods with different social groups. Tera Childs surprises readers when a “nothos” proves herself worthy on an island ruled by the gods. - Katie and Lina, class of 2011

Gods, Goddesses, Mythology and humans, don’t get along as well as one would think. The main character of Oh.My.Gods. Phoebe Castro knows this better than the average high school girl. A story that took place in Greece on a remote island hidden from the world, took away from her American life style. Phoebe had a typical graduating student’s dreams and goals which for her included the USC cross-country scholarship. This scholarship was all that was on her mind until her normal life came to an abrupt stop wh en her mom came back from Greece with a new fiancé. This novel is written for the junior high level and is particularly aimed toward the girl audience. One who chooses to read this book must have a slight knowledge of the Greek mythology history. Tera Lynn Childs’s novels all have a Greek mythology theme. Child’s incorporation of mythology added a bizarre twist which was the only highlight of this book. To an older audience the plot of the story would appear to go very slowly making the book difficult to read. - Chris and Lisa, class of 2011

I am Modred by Nancy Springer

2011-05-01T17:12:00.002-05:00

Nancy Springer, Camelot extraordinaire, takes us on a vivid, up close look into the life of Mordred, the son and enemy of King Arthur. A deeper look into the life of Mordred was something that could have been more entertaining, yet Springer left us with a duller version than could have been produced. The book was written from the perspective of Mordred, who all his life is faced with the prophecy that he will kill his father Arthur. This complex relationship between Arthur a nd Mordred is explored and elaborated upon in this unique perspective of Camelot. We thought the book had adequate information, but left us wanting a more interesting way of portraying Mordred’s internal conflict. Springer provided a foundation for future works surrounding the mystical kingdom of Camelot, but this novel could have incorporated so much more detail and colorful writing than it did. Overall, a 2.5 out of 5 stars. - Alex, Stevie, Brandon, class of 2011

The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman

2011-05-01T17:10:00.000-05:00

Previous to writing The Seduction of Water, Carol Goodman has written a number of pieces for literary journals, as well as another book, The Lake of Dead Languages. In The Seduction of Water, Goodman writes about Iris Greenfeder, who teaches adult English classes. Finding inspiration in stories from her childhood, she writes a story, The Selkies Daughter, based upon the Irish myth of the Selkie that her mother, used to tell her. This leads her to want to write a memoir about her mother, and to go to the Hotel Equinox, where she grew up, to research her mother’s life leading up to her mysterious death. Iris finds evidence leading her to believe her mother’s books were less fantasy than everyone thought, and the past is more connected to the present than anyone would have expected. Iris finds the key to her mother’s past, and discovers a shocking secret. Although the book starts off slow, once you read a little further it will be impossible to put down. It's a great book enjoyable for all ages, and it will keep you intrigued until the last page. -Jackie, class of 2011

Age of Bronze: Betrayal Part One

2011-05-01T17:08:00.000-05:00

This graphic novel by Eric Shanower was a different way of reading a book, one because it was full of pictures. And two it had a terrible story line, in the beginning I would have believed that it was a good novel with the great beginning battle and a god’s son dying almost right away. I would say this novel did have a good follow on how the Trojan war was began, but does not have a clear ending and I felt like it ended on a blank page. I know this is only part 1 of a trilogy, but this book has no lead to its sequel. This book overall wasn’t the best, in my opinion. The pictures were hard to follow and most of the time didn’t seem to make sense. The illustrations, although, were quite amazing. The text is written in clear context, with a few words that are not commonly used, making the use of a dictionary pretty much inevitable if you want to know the meaning of a few words. - Mike, Amie, Alex, and Alex, class of 2011

The Hero Within by Carol S. Pearson

2011-05-01T17:06:00.003-05:00

For those who enjoy mythology and are looking for an interesting way to apply it to their lives, then The Hero Within is definitely a read worth considering. In the book the author talks about how a person can be categorized in one of six archetypes, Orphan, Innocent, Magician, Wanderer, Warrior, and Altruist. The reader can reflect on their own behavior and using examples provided by the author, determine which of the six archetypes they fall under. While the book itself was well written I felt that the author really dragged on with her point which led to many long and boring chapters. Overall while the premise of The Hero Within was quite interesting, I felt that in the end the book turned out to be nothing special. - Joe, class of 2011

When I heard about a book that discussed the heroic qualities we all have and the heroic journeys we all must take, I immediately was attracted to it. The Hero Within, by Carol S. Pearson, is a book that appears to present its reader with the six heroic archetypes we all have within ourselves, including the Warrior, the Innocent, and the Orphan. I dove into The Hero Within wondering, “I wonder what type of hero I am!” and I was sadly mistaking the main idea of Pearson’s book. It comes off as much more of a “self-help” book than one would expect. Pearson doesn’t describe different heroic qualities within us, but discusses our “heroic” weaknesses instead. The fact that she ends each chapter with little mental excersizes stresses my point. This book would be great for a reader who is looking for a way to strengthen his weaknesses, but it isn’t an action-packed (or very interesting) read! - Sam, class of 2011

Dr. Pearson created the Pearson Archetypal System, which guides you to finding your inner hero and strengths. Carol S. Pearson, acknowledged for her other works as in Awakening The Heroes Within and The Hero and The Outlaw, produced her most recent book titled The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By. In this work of non-fiction, there are no characters; it is more so a self help novel to inform you of your inner self and your workings. We found this boo k hard to put down after we began to read it because it’s interesting to compare and contrast yourself and others to the 6 archetypes, which are the Orphan, the Innocent, the Magician, the Wanderer, the Warrior, and the Altruist. We would recommend this book to any gender and of ages 16+. You need to have some maturity to the point where you understand who you are and so then you can relate to the book and the archetypes. Who’s the hero inside of you? - Alisan and Gary, class of 2011

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings

2011-05-01T17:04:00.002-05:00

J.R.R. Tolkien is a very famous author who wrote other great novels such as Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critic, Mr. Bliss, and The Silmarillion. J.R.R. Tolkien has done it again with his adventurous storyline in the chaotic realm of Middle Earth. Of course I am talking about, the first book of the Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Rings. The story of the Fellowship of the Rings is about a hobbit named Frodo Baggins, and his hobbit companions, and their e pic journey through Middle Earth to take the one ring to rule them all to the fires of Mt. Doom where it must be destroyed. What keeps the readers going is that Frodo shows a lot of courage by accepting the quest to take his ring to Mt. Doom. This book would be a good read for high school students and young adults with interests in myths and magic. Will Frodo accomplish his task before it is too late? - John and Dan, class of 2011

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

2011-05-01T17:03:00.002-05:00

The Hobbit is one of the most legendary stories ever written. The story begins in the Shire, where a little hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is relaxing in his little hobbit-hole, without worry. He very much disliked danger, or any sort of adventure for that matter. Bilbo didn’t know at the time, but he would soon go on an adventure he never thought he would go on, encounter dangers he never thought existed, and become one of Middle-Earth’s greatest hero. The Hobbit is an amazing book filled with crea tivity and mythology. J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing style is one of the best I’ve ever seen. His choice of words are very wise and unique. Tolkien has a way of making his characters feel very real and believable, like describing the character’s thoughts from a first-person perspective, even though the story is written in third-person. There is a reason why Tolkien is so famous, and this is the book that really started it all. - Sergiu and Caleb, class of 2011

J.R.R Tolkien is mainly known for his Lord of The Rings books, but what most people don’t know about is all told in the prequel book The Hobbit. This book is a classic tale of adventure and friendship. The Hero in this book is Bilbo Baggins who many of you may know from the Lord of The Ring movies. This book is about Bilbo’s quest that sets everything in motion for the whole series. He starts off as a group of 13 companions and his goal is to help a dwarven prince recover his families los t kingdom and treasure from the ferocious dragon Smaug. On the Journey Bilbo finds himself in many predicaments where he finds the hero within him and saves his friends. In one of these situations he is in a very bad spot and finds his way out with help of a small magic ring he finds in a cave. What is the origin of this ring? What consequences might come from bringing it out of the cave? If you’re interested in tales of adventure and friendship then read this book to find out what happens to good old Bilbo. - Emily and Mick, class of 2011

When most hear the name J.R.R Tolkien, people think about the Lord of the Rings movies. In The Hobbit, a novel that is the precursor to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, you follow the story of Bilbo Baggins, who is only a single character in a whole host of interesting and colorful personalities. Bilbo lives a life of solitude and monotony, which for the hobbits, is exactly how life is supposed to be. However, this all changes when Gandalf, the mysterious wizard, shows up on his doors tep with a call to adventure and 13 dwarfs. Although he is reluctant, eventually he conceeds to going with the posse. What ensues is a memorable story that is full of action and suspense. The Hobbit has a gripping story that will keep you on your toes. It has received the adoration of millions of readers, as well as, a few awards. J.R.R. Tolkien was able to adapt his own style of language based on his love of old epic stories and it helps deliver The Hobbit in an interesting fashion. This language has also been used in many of the forerunners of the book. This language also helps give vivid detail into what is happening in the story and visualizing the story comes very easy while you read. If you like fantasies, this book is right down your alley. With a full cast of detailed characters, a unique language and a gripping story, The Hobbit is a must read. - Josh, Jake, Ed, class of 2011

Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve

2011-05-01T17:01:00.001-05:00

Most people know King Arthur as the son of Uthr, who pulled Excalibur from stone when no other knight could. Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve, tells the story of the power hungry Arthur, who raids surrounding towns and has a burning hate for the Saxons. His friend Myrddin stirs up tales that make Arthur sound like a powerful saint, and an excellent war leader and protector. It’s told by a young girl named Gwyna, who Myrddin finds and makes into his servant, as a young boy instead. Being a boy gives her a unique viewpoint; until she reaches the age that she can no longer keep her disguise. The story she tells is a great mix of history with a blend of myth and fiction. It is a very interesting story about who Arthur was and made out to be. We would describe this book as a simple story, giving a different view on Arthur’s rule, also recommending it. - Devin, Adam, and Sam, class of 2011

When you think of an action-packed novel filled with adventure, battles, and even love stories, then Philip Reeve’s Here Lies Arthur should be a story that comes to mind. Taking place in the late fifth and early sixth century, King Arthur is seen from a different perspective than what he is usually portrayed as. One of the main reasons it was unusual for Arthur to be seen like this is because it was told through the eyes of a poor servant girl named Gwyna. Gwyna escaped from a group of raiders and was sav ed by the magical Merlin. However, she was disguised as a male throughout the majority of the novel because Merlin transformed her into one after agreeing to help Merlin play a trick on Arthur and his warriors. Overall, it was a thrilling novel, but contained some confusing parts that were hard to follow. If you enjoy a fast-paced midieval adventure, this is for you! - Stephen, class of 2011

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

2011-05-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

Often when people look back at their lives they tend to stare a blank, disappointed stare. Why? They realize they never experienced a period of greatness; they never had their epic journey which all will remember them by. Sadly that’s never likely to happen but hey, at least you can read a book about someone else’s accomplishments! The Sword of Shannara is a very interesting book about a half elf named Shea who happens to be a descendant of Jerle Shannara, the legendary elf who defeated the warlock lord with his sword of Shannara. Now the Warlock lord is rising again and Shea, along with a few companions must find his ancestors sword and defeat him. Although this book is very long if you have the time it’s worth it. It has a very good plot line and very interesting colorful characters. The book sometimes gets a little slow but quickly passes to the more enjoyable parts. Overall this book is worth it to read and might even give you a sense of adventure you’re not likely to achieve in life. - Brayden, class of 2011

Selkie Girl by Laurie Brooks

2011-05-01T16:59:00.002-05:00

Selkie Girl is a mythical and invigorating tale of a unique young woman, named Elin Jean, who feels like an outcast in her small town on Shapinsay Island. Her webbed fingers are the reason for her trouble. Because she knows that she is not accepted on land, Elin is fascinated with and strangely connected to the sea and its exotic creatures. The only one who seems to understand her is her mother, who has a secret that will guide Elin to her destiny. This novel beautifully describes her journey to find her real home. With the help of her grandfather and the Selkies, Elin transforms from being a loner to a heroine. The author uses her experience as a playwright to illustrate the majestic nature of the story of Selkie Girl. This novel is ideal for anyone who enjoys romantic and mystical fairy tales. - Gwen and Keri, class of 2011

Cupid: a Tale of Love and Desire

2011-05-01T16:58:00.000-05:00

Cupid is a story about love, not a love story, a tale about how fragile love can be and how it can be affected by jealously. Psyches beauty became a burden on her and her kingdom, ultimately making her lonely. Her secrete marriage with Cupid, hidden from Cupids jealous mother Venus gives Psyches two crazy sisters leverage against her. When Cupid is informed that Psyche has revealed too much information to her sisters he flees. Psyche believes in order to find Cupid she has to complete a series of difficult tasks composed by Venus, designed to kill her. This creates a lot of mystery; it’s also a quick easy read. It’s directed towards high school kids, making it easy to relate to. A wonderful and touching story although it could have been told better, the narrator seems to give his opinions to often making it hard to create your own. - Kayla and Kasey, class of 2011

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2011-05-01T16:57:00.001-05:00

If you like a book with a compelling storyline full of twists and turns, then Suzannne Collins’ The Hunger Games is for you. In this action-packed book, we follow the adventure of a somewhat unlikely hero, Katniss Everdeen. Katniss is a poor girl from District 12 of the futuristic universe that is Panem. Raised by her mother and sister Prim, Katniss is a fantastic provider and hunter for the family. In this book, we see if Katniss can follow in her father’s footsteps and translate her keen hunting insticts onto the battlefield in the annual Hunger Games, the greedy capital’s ploy for money. This is a phenomenal book for anyone to read, and once you get started it is addictive. We would even say that reading this book is better than watching an action movie. So do yourself a favor and pick up this book as soon as possible. - Nick, Nick, and Grayson, class of 2011

If you are someone who enjoys fantasy with a love story tied in, this is an awesome choice. Hunger Games is the first book of three. The Hunger Games are a common ritual in the country of Panem. Two tributes from each district are selected to compete in the Hunger Games. The story is about the tributes from District 12 Pita and Katniss. The point is to survive and be the last one standing. The story is very exciting with many twists and turns, it kept me very intrigued. But the love that grows between them is breathtaking throughout their journey. These two young teenagers are extremely intelligent and crafty when it comes to keeping themselves alive, considering all the obstacles they have to face. It is very unpredictable and I loved that. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved this book, and if you do too, make sure to check out the next two books Catching Fire and Mocking Jay. - Lara, class of 2011

Something Wicked This Way Comes

2011-04-29T16:57:00.000-05:00

Will Holloway and Jim Nightshade are two young boys living in a rural Illinois town. During the course of a weekend the town is visited by a mysterious circus that appears to have materialized out of the darkness. Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show turns out to be a very sinister threat to the boys and the town. Ray Bradbury does an incredible job bringing the small town to life and describing the care-free lives of these schoolboys. As the book progresses the boys must make tough choices and Bradbury vividly illustrates their transformations and the testing of their friendship as they embark on their own hero’s journeys. During their journey to save the town the boys fight literal and figurative creatures as well seek the wise guidance of Will’s father Charles. This quick read is a perfect book that analyzes the topics of redemption, heroism, conquering fear, and the cost of true friendship. - Andrew and Alex, class of 2011

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

2011-04-29T16:56:00.003-05:00

From the opening chapter of the novel, American Gods, to the closing pages, Neil Gaiman keeps the reader walking the fine line between being uncomfortable and being entertained. The story of Shadow, a man recently released from jail and thrown into an adventure pitting gods against each other, is one of many clever references, allusions, and events. Anyone with even a very basic knowledge of world mythology will appreciate Gaiman’s ability to portray mythological gods living in a moder n day setting. Such characters as Odin, Anubis, Anansi, and Loki were given human forms to live with reduced power in today’s society. If it wasn’t for multiple disturbing scenes, this book would have been one of our favorites. As it is, the few questionable scenes obscured the otherwise enjoyable plotline. Overall, we would all recommend this book for its spontaneous, clever, and creative plot, despite some questionable subject matter. - Maria, Andy, Geoff, class of 2011

When one thinks of an American God, often what comes to mind are superheroes such as Superman or Captain America. However in Neil Gaiman’s fictional novel American Gods, the main character, Shadow Moon, is no hero, rather an ex-convict who can’t catch a break but has nothing to lose. He is recruited by the all father, Mr. Wednesday, to complete a series of dangerous tasks in order to keep the other deities alive. Shadow travels the United States, battling the rival group the “New Gods”, all while get ting kidnapped, caught in between Godly battles and fighting an internal struggle concerning which side of Gods to help. However, to high school readers, it may be difficult to relate to Shadow and his other worldly escapades. At some points in this novel, there are scenes of graphic adult nature, seemingly out of place and superfluous. Hence, this novel is confusing and complicated at various times, but the journey of Shadow finding himself makes the read worthwhile. Connor and Sam, class of 2011

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse

2011-04-29T16:54:00.000-05:00

Venturing into the next journey of Percy, Annabeth, and Grover two new demi-gods, Thalia, the daughter of Zeus returns, and the hunters of Artemis come into play in The Titan’s Curse. Traveling across the United States once more the gang is put up against all odds once more. The oracle says: “four shall go but two shall return, one shall die by a parent’s hand.” And yet they still go on. Demi-gods fall both to death and to the control of Kronus, the evil t itan lord rising against Olympus once more to seize control and bring about the fall of the western world. This book is great for young teen readers, you might be able to relate to the way the demigods feel, or maybe you just like action and an insane twist to the end of a story. Will you pick up the third book of this series and venture into the unknown dangers of the demi-gods once more? - Chris and Derek, class of 2011

Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

2011-04-29T16:52:00.001-05:00

While Norse mythology has fascinated people for thousands of years, Nancy Farmer’s book Sea Of Trolls bored us to death in two days. The book begins with Jack, a boy who is plucked from obscurity and ends up being captured by Vikings. Even though this plot sounded interesting, we soon found out that this 500 page book flowed less like a sea of trolls and more like a sea of molasses; starting out sweet, but ultimately becoming nothing more than a gooey mess. Although the novels references to mythological creatures were accurate, their involvement in the story seemed forced and reading about them made us care less about what happens to Jack and more interested in the gods themselves. Farmer attempted to use the Hero’s Journey but even this narrative suffers from the sugar coated curse of the sea of molasses, providing no depth to any of the characters. Avoid this book and the ensuing tooth ache you’ll receive. -Erik, Katie, and Greg, class of 2011

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

2011-04-29T16:45:00.003-05:00

Graceling, written by Kristin Cashore, was a compelling novel filled with lust, adventure, danger, love, and death. Katsa, a young woman graced with the power of fighting, meets a young Lienid during a mission for her counsel. This Lienid is anything but ordinary, with his sparkling gold and silver eyes and the same Grace as her, they become good friends as they learn to grow in their Grace together. Together, they embark on a treacherous journey that will test not only their physical strength but also their mental ability and personal boundaries. This slow paced novel is an easy read for mature high school females but was predictable and prolonged. The ending contained many twists and much more action than the first 300 pages combined and left the reader hanging with anticipation as to what would happen next. Will these two star crossed lovers have their happy ending? Read to find out! -Jessica, Amanda, Sara, class of 2011

This story captures the attention of young adult audience by having thrilling plots that take place over vast different lands and has surprises popping up in every chapter. Katsa and Po, the main characters, have to overcome the obstacle of being a graceling which makes them stand out as having special talents. It’s a thrilling story of how people continue to find out more about themselves as they get older and finding their way in life. They go from living a set life of reputation to not kno wing what may come their way in the next few hours. As the characters progress on their journey they even find out different things about themselves that they thought was set in stone. This book is fit for young adults and older because of how adventurous and captivating this book is but may be inappropriate for younger kids because of deaths and an explicit scene. Overall this was a great and inspiring book. -Jessica and Grant, class of 2011

A hero’s journey worth reading, Graceling is a magnificent story about a young girl named Katsa and her mission to uncover the mysteries of her Grace. Katsa is a skilled fighter who joins other companions including Po and Princess Bitterblue. Her journey begins with the discovery of her grace which helps her in conquering the many obstacles that befall her. Through her adventures, she must figure out how to control her grace in fear of hurting others close to her. With Katsa’s companion Po, she overcame d arkness, injuries, and the numerous enemies that were thrown in her direction. This is an exciting story that had its ups and downs. At certain points in the plot it kept the reader on the edge on their seat. Graceling is a story that focusses on a lot of different emotions and is a definite recommendation for people who enjoy adventure and romance. -Zach, Tanner, Ryan, class of 2011

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

2011-04-29T16:43:00.001-05:00

This suspenseful novel will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Radiant Darkness is about love, not a love story. Unfortunately for Persephone love is a confusing maze that is constantly changing. However, under the controlling eyes of her mother Demeter, love isn’t always possible. When Persephone meets a fiery mystery man, her mother becomes weary of the thought of her falling in love. This book was different then myths told in Greek and Roman cultures. It is a very touching and heartwarming story of conflict between a daughter and mother and of a girl growing up looking for love. We would recommend Radiant Darkness for others to read especially for teenage girls. Guaranteed once you pick up this book you won’t want to put it down. -Devin, Caitlyn, and Wesley, class of 2011

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

2011-04-15T09:44:00.002-05:00

This author's older books have been super popular. Will this new series reach the same level of fame?

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

2011-04-15T08:58:00.005-05:00

If I Stay is on the 2012 Abe list - will it be the statewide favorite??

Here's the trailer for its sequel, Where She Went:

It's a Book

2011-04-15T08:51:00.000-05:00

Library Art

2011-03-08T15:03:00.000-06:00

Two pieces of blank paper taped to the table . . . and it becomes a masterpiece!

Hunger Games Wins 2011 Abe Award

2011-03-04T15:25:00.000-06:00

ISLMA recognizes Hunger Games as the 2011 Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award winner. Students all over Illinois read four books from the list of 22 nominees, and no surprise, Hunger Games came out on top with over 600 votes. Perfect Chemistry took second place, and Graceling was third.

The PR Library hosted a voting party on February 22 for the 40 PR students who read four or more nominated titles. Congratulations to Johanna Sveden who read all 22 books and has earned the title Double Deuce. We are anxiously awaiting the list for 2012!

Brave New World

2010-12-15T10:50:00.000-06:00

I give this book a 6/10. It has an interesting universe, but the work is so old, it almost seems to be in a different language. It was written in the 1930's so some of the ideas might be outdated. Nevertheless, the satire of human culture as a massproducing and pill numbing society still remains true today. It is a great comment on all the technology and advancements humankind is responsible for and asks the great question: do we really need all of this stuff? Whether you like it or hate it, this book is definitely worth checking out the library for a book report because it was so much in it that is impossible to not write 5 solid pages about it. - Patrick W., class of 2011

The Girl Who Played with Fire

2010-12-13T12:05:00.000-06:00

This is the second installment in Stieg Larsson's Millenium Series. I had previously read the first novel, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and could not wait to read the secnod one. I ended up reading it for a project, which was a little harder than just reading it for pleasure. However, if you are a reader who enjoys mystery, suspense, crime adventures and the like, I would highly recommend this book for you. It gave me a great perspective into the worlds of people who I normally would never have noticed. I learned from this book that the most unlikely person can change everything about your world. And that your entire world is run by the people you will never see. This has been a great series so far, and I cannot wait to read the third installment. Enjoy! - Shauna, class of 2011

Attendance Remains High

2010-12-08T08:34:00.002-06:00

The library was a busy place in November this fall! We saw 9,363 student visits during 1st-9th hours this month, with a daily average just under 500. This is significantly higher than last year's attendance in November when our daily average was just over 300.

Push by Sapphire

2010-11-23T14:27:00.003-06:00

Precious is living a life where she has been sexually abused by both her mother and father. At age 16 she is pregnant with her second child; the father is here father. Precious suffers from her lack of self confidence throughout this book Precious learns to fend for herself while her self esteem grows with the help of her new teacher. Sapphire has outdone herself with her first novel. WARNING: If you disapprove of vulgar language, this book is not for you. Although the words aren’t the best, this book holds true to the struggle o f abused teens. Anyone interested in a fast yet compelling read, this book is for you! - Kiki O., class of 2011

Sway: the Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior

2010-11-23T08:54:00.000-06:00

Sway is a book written from a psychologists' point of view, and argues that people make decisions in certain situations based off completely irrational behaviors. Each chapter talks about a different experiment or study done to prove this main point, and by the end, you see how everything relates to each other. The studies that are done get to be a little extensive throughout the 200 pages and many are extremely hard to understand. Reader s that are looking for a challenge and insight to reasons for irrational behavior might be attracted to this book. While Sway is interesting in parts, reading it is like trying to run a marathon through thick mud in the jungle. - Shelby M., class of 2011

Generation Me

2010-11-23T08:53:00.000-06:00

The first book I've ever heard of/read, that describes the generation of kids from 1970-today. Although Jean M. Twenge's main reason for change is now dated, the book was written in 2006, her main point, that this generation is more "self-focused" than any other is very accurate. I would recommend this book to anyone in Sociology or any teacher who struggles with connecting with his/her students. - David M., class of 2011

Scar Tissue

2010-11-23T08:50:00.002-06:00

Scar Tissue shows the struggle Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers,goes through from the time he was a kid to present day. After moving in with his dad in Los Angeles, Anthony gets sucked into a world surrounded by partying, drugs, and girls. A world that a 12 year old boy should never be introduced to. After getting a couple of his buddies together to start a band for fun, they realize this could turn out to be a little bigger then they expected. With years of drug abuse and addiction, he strives to keep the band together and make something out of it. His fight for sobriety is one that keeps you interested throughout the entire book. - Alex P., class of 2011

A Train to Potevka

2010-11-23T08:46:00.000-06:00

Mike Ramsdell tells an incredible story about the journey of a CIA spy who is trying to escape from a compromised mission during the cold war times. He goes through many hardships and realizes where his priorities lie, and what means most to him in life. He shows us that in the darkest of times are when we truly look deep within and discover what has the most value to us. - Austin U., class of 2011

The Dumbest Generation

2010-11-23T08:44:00.000-06:00

The Dumbest Generation by Mark Bauerlein depicts the effects of our quickly advancing technological world, and its negative effects on the intelligence of our youth. In a very statistical manner, Bauerlein clearly displays his disdain towards the digital revolution, and the millions of youth sacrificing their intelligence for it. I enjoyed reading about my own generation, and observing what I was even guilty of doing, and seeing some of the ridiculous things other people in my generation admit to. The book as a whole is a major eye opener to the future of America, and the fast paced rate at which technology, media, and communication is moving. Bauerlein through an incessant number of references gives shocking statistics to the “stupidity” of our generation, and sometimes you can’t help but agree. I think people who so far admit that our generation, looking at the majority, is declining in intelligence they should definitely take a look at this book. And even for people who are angered by the title, or who are dumbfounded by the ideas, should read this book as well. Either way, he does a fantastic job of presenting both sides, while voicing his own opinion with concrete evidence. Who knows how much longer books will be in our schools or how much faster communication will get in a matter of a few years. - Rebecca R., class of 2011

The World Without Us

2010-11-23T08:42:00.000-06:00

Regarding Alan Weisman's book, it was interesting at times and provided some very compelling stories and points. However the amount of detail was overwhelming and overall just boring. Alright book, as far as for the sociology project goes get a different book. I had an extremely hard time relating this to what we learned in class. - Joey T., class of 2011

Hooking Up

2010-11-23T08:40:00.000-06:00

This book by Kathleen Bogle was really interesting and easy to understand, but it was more like reading a textbook than a book for fun. It was all statistics and research rather than a story, which is how i expected it to be. If you want an easy book, the ENTIRE thing relates back to sociology and it's really easy to find quotations and examples of how the norms are changing. My advice is start reading early cause it took a lot longer than i thought. - Amber H., class of 2011

The Narcissism Epidemic

2010-11-23T08:38:00.002-06:00

The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell is a very informative and interesting book. It dives into the newest and most prominent disease in the United States, narcissism. This non-fiction book provides a very good base for knowing what narcissism is, the causes, and the problems with it. The book starts out a little slow, but once they delve into the causes, it really picks up. I would suggest this book to anyone who is becoming a parent or works with young children. - Alex F., class of 2011

Jesus Land

2010-11-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

The book Jesus Land is a memoir written by Julia Scheeres. This fantastic story of a family who voes to be devoted christians learn that they have racisim within their own family. As Julia grows up close to her black brother David she endoures many social norms that she just doesn't fit into. Julia and David's trial in a southern racist school ends up with them on a beach in the Dominican Republic. This was an amazing book that I could not put down. - Christine C., class of 2011

Media Bias: Finding It, Fixing It

2010-11-23T08:35:00.000-06:00

I think this was an okay book but it could have been better. I was not interested in some of the topics that were discussed, but there were also a bunch of topics I really wanted to read about. I loved the abortion section because it brought so many new points into my perspective. The best part about this book is that you can skip around to what you want to read about and still know what is going on. - Will S., class of 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

2010-11-22T13:34:00.000-06:00

Picture courtesy of Internet Movie Database

So many students (and teachers) couldn't wait for this movie release. Did you go to the midnight premiere? Have you seen it more than once? Was it better or worse than you expected? Click the Comments link below to add your thoughts. Be mindful of those who haven't seen it yet - NO SPOILERS, please!! :)

A Child Called It

2010-11-16T19:46:00.000-06:00

A Child Called "It" was an amazing book that for many years my friends and classmates told me I should read. When i found out i could read a book i wanted to read AND use it for a project i took the opportunity. The book held a story full of pain, inferiority, child abuse, and survival. David was abused from when he was 5 to when he was 12 and freed from his abusive mother and put into foster homes. there were years before his pain began where his mother was a beautiful woman and wonderful cook, but after she began drinking David became a target of her fury. Her games become more and more dangerous from beating to stabbing, and starvation to suffocation. David survived using pure will power knowing the only way he could beat his mother was to live. AliAnn, class of 2011

Stigma by Erving Goffman

2010-11-16T19:43:00.000-06:00

Stigma is a very informational book, so if you're looking for an good plot this isn't the book for you. Stigma provides a really good look at how people classify others and why people act certain ways around the certain types of people. I think that Stigma was pretty interesting and had many good points after I figured out how to make sense of the word choice of Goffman. His wording can be really dry at times and hard to understand, but this book made sense of some of the things we do subconsiously. - Emily, class of 2011

Busy Place this Fall!

2010-11-08T13:22:00.000-06:00

The library sure felt busy during the first quarter, and the numbers prove it.
We averaged about 492 students each day during October, and total circulation for August - October was 1,873! Finally, students are using the hold system to get their hands on the books they want. We placed 144 holds during the first three months of the school year.

Morning Rainbow

2010-11-03T08:11:00.006-05:00

Rainbow over PR

We were treated to a rare double rainbow for a short time during 1st hour.

Evermore

2010-10-26T20:24:00.002-05:00

Evermore, a book written by Alyson Noel, knows how to confuse your mind about a sixteen year old girl. Ever who has an unwanted gift when her family and herself get in a horrible car accident. As Ever moves in with her aunt, she notices that she’ll never be mortal again. Her sister Riley, comes and makes unexpected appearences throughout the book. Ever then finds herself falling hard for Damen, the new kid at her school. She feels connected to Damen, though she thought everything in her life was goi ng perfect. Her best friend Haven gets influenced by the wrong people including Drina, before karma takes over. As the end comes quickly there's a sudden shock that will keep you wanting more…

Boot Camp

2010-10-26T20:23:00.002-05:00

The book Boot Camp by Todd Strasser is about an innocent boy named Garret who is sent to Lake Harmony, a brutal place that breaks you down mentally and physically. He is sent there by his parents because of his intimate relations with his teacher. Throughout the book Garret struggles to find the purpose of his daily beatings. Eventually Garret gets beaten until he finally decides do the unthinkable. This is decided when Pauly exclaims “another winter here and I’m dead anyways”. This is a very suspenseful book for all ages. Overall, I liked how the book managed to keep my attention. It was hard to imagine a real boot camp because it seems almost unreal. I disliked one of the characters, Pauly, because he seemed too weak. - Zach S., Zach F., Eric E., class of 2012

It's Kind of a Funny Story

2010-10-26T20:22:00.000-05:00

Teenagers will fall in love with It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. Craig Gilner, a teenage boy living in interesting, bustling New York, has a life like nobody else. Sure, he has a few best friends that are his Anchors in life, yet Tentacles hold him back from living effectively. He struggles with depression and wishes his grades were better in Executive Pre-Professional High School. This causes him to operate in an unbearable state, he then thinks: “I should kill myself ”. Vizzini does an outstanding job of making Craig more believable. You not only know what Craig is doing or thinking, but his brain process and drawings behind it! Also, his friends are not your average, dramatic group of high school students. Their behaviors are strung together in this novel about love, depression, and hope. I like this book not only because I can relate to it, but also because this book explains the stories of others as well. Almost every high school student can admit that they have come down with a mental illness or issue over the years, and a novel such as this one makes them seem even more common. Really dig deep into a book that actually speaks your mind! - Brittany G., Sarah N., Ryan T., Sarah Y., class of 2012

Bonechiller

2010-10-26T20:19:00.003-05:00

Have you ever felt “that phantom itch you get when you feel someone staring at you. Someone or something” (21)? Well, the main character Danny did for quite a while. Graham McNamee, author of Bonechiller, also author of the award winning Acceleration, writes a supernatural thriller about the small town of Harvest Cove, Canada. There has been some kind of soul-consuming monster who targets only teenagers the ages of 13-18. Danny, the new kid in town, befriends Ash, Pike, and Howie, a ll army brats. At first he doesn’t fit in, but as the beast targets more kids, the friends grow closer. This nail-biter keeps you interested with a lot of action. This is a perfect book for high school students. Will the beast starve, or find its way into the children’s souls? - Nick G., Matt K., Jeremy S., class of 2012

"Books with Beat" Contest Winners

2010-10-26T13:55:00.001-05:00

To celebrate Teen Read Week this year, the PR library sponsored a contest called "Books with Beat." Students imagined their favorite books set to music and created their own unique playlists. Congratulations to Jake Porter & Kellie Whitworth, who each won a $10 iTunes gift certificate. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Kellie Whitworth
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Coral Castle by Andrew Peterson
Good Day by Britt Nicole
I’m Not Who I Was by Brandon Heath
Gone by Toby Mac
Stay for Awhile by Amy Grant

Seamus Kelly
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
Crazy Train by Ozzy Osborne
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Brown Sugar by Rolling Stones
We Will Rock You by Queen
Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin

Mac Matza
Cell by Stephen King
Animal I have Become by Three Days Gone
Nightmare by Crooked X
Undying by Demon Hunter
The Night by Disturbed
Get Out Alive by Three Days Grace
Turn Me On Mr. Deadman by The Union Underground

Kellie Whitworth
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Monster by Skillet
Hero by Skillet
American Dream by Casting Crowns
Yours to Hold by Skillet
Does Anybody Hear Her by Casting Crowns
Say Goodbye by Skillet

Jake Porter
I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Take a Picture by Filter
For What it’s Worth by The Buffalo Springfield
Human by The Killers
This is Who I Am by Third Day
Second Chance by Shinedown
Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve

Brittany McCabe
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell
Amnesia by Chumbawamba
Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart
New Divide by Linkin Park
Teenager in Love by Dion and the Belmonts

Spencer Leckrone
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Pulse of the Maggots by Slipknot
Redneck by Lamb of God
Chop Suey by System of a Down
Cryin by Godsmack
Blackened by Metallica
Run this Town by Jay-z

Analisa Faso
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Before I Wake by Farewell
What If by Safety Suit
Emergency by Paramore
Don’t Wake Me Up by The Hush Sound
I’ll Stay by Augustana
Broken by Seether

Alex Barbour
The Salem Witch Trials by Earle Rice Jr.
Faith:Disease by Psyclon Nine
Strings of Hypocrisy by Job For a Cowboy
The Sacrilegious Scorn by Dimmu Borgir
Alas, Lord is Upon Me by Behomoth
Dancer to a Discordant System by Meshuggah
Lullaby by The Cure

Emily Surch
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
If I Had You by Adam Lambert
Live Like We’re Dying by Kris Allen
Bottoms Up by Trey Songz
You Found Me by Kelly Clarkson
Never Too Late by Three Days Grace
Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars

Anna Flemming
Ranger’s Apprentice: The Icebound Land by John Flanagan
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Sound the Bugle by Hans Zimmer/ Bryan Adams
My Immortal by Evanescence
Paloma by Carbon Leaf
Cold as Ice by Foreigner

Mrs. Billimack
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Somebody to Love by Queen
Friday I’m in Love by The Cure
Dancing Queen by Abba
Paralyzer by Finger 11
Head Over Heels by Go-go’s
Juliet by LMNT
Say You Love Me by Fleetwood Mac
I Don’t Want to Wait by Paula Cole
Dirty Little Secret by All-American Rejects
Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar
Bleed to Love Her by Fleetwood Mac
4Ever by the Veronicas
The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls
Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Lovesong by The Cure
Bring Me to Life by Evanescence
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult

CLS Library Staff
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Warrior by Scandal
Working in a Coal Mine by Devo
Why Can’t We be Friends by War
Hunger for the Great Light by DMB
Half of my Heart by John Mayer/ Taylor Swift
War, What is it Good For? by Edwin Starr
Bleed to Love Her by Fleetwood Mac
Stand by Rascal Flatts
Kiss by Prince
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
Mockingbird by James Taylor/Carly Simon

Mockingjay Book Club

2010-10-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

As always, book club was fun! Today we met after school to talk about Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay.
Worth remembering . . .
"Everybody's got insanity ready to bubble to the surface" and "...like trying to prop up sand with a rock."

Friday Night Lights

2010-10-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

H. G. Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights is a story about the lifestyle of a small town in Texas that has lost everything, and all it has, is a high school football team called the Permian Panthers. The star running back is Boobie Miles, until he injures his knee in a football game. His future is in question, and so is the football season. Nothing but the state championship would revive this dried up town. This is a fantastic book, and we highly reco mmend it to sports loving people who enjoy a suspenseful plot. The only problem with this novel was the language used throughout the book, as well as the slow start which if you stick with it, becomes a great novel. So keep reading, and find out if Boobie will ever make it back, and if Permian will capture that illustrious state championship. -Seamus, Jimmy, Sam, John, class of 2012

From Pieces to Weight

2010-10-14T14:54:00.000-05:00

Known mostly for his hit rap albums, 50 Cent proves himself as a decent author with his novel “From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a time in Southside Queens”. In this story, you learn about the life of 50 Cent through his own eyes. From his home life with his harsh mother, to his life as a drug dealer, you learn all of the fascinating and at times graphic and scary aspects of his childhood to his current age, as well as the inspiration for his music. Although interesting, the grammar in the novel is sometimes distracting, and the language makes it a book limited to a more mature audience. The grammar at times is poor, but it gives you a better feel for 50 Cent’s real personality. I would recommend this book to others, as long as their interested in learning about 50 Cent in depth, or if they are interested in his music. - Heather K., class of 2012

What I Saw and How I Lied

2010-10-14T14:50:00.002-05:00

Blundell, Judy. What I Saw and How I Lied. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Judy Blundell, better known by her pseudonym Jude Watson, has written a national book award winnner, What I Saw and How I Lied. Evie, the narrarator, and a young, immature teenager, tells a story of her compelling and eventful vacation. Evie falls for a handsome, ex-GI named Peter who worked with her stepfather in the army, and her yearning to fit in deepens. She is also jealous of her perfect mother, who really isn’t perfect at all. Though starting out with a good plot, the story quickly turns predictable and drags on. What I Saw and How I Lied leaves you empty and hungry for more drama. Tangled in a web of secrets, Evie finds herself caught in the middle of something tragic. Teal H, Kelly K, Kari K, class of 2012

Gentlemen

2010-10-14T10:02:00.000-05:00

In Michael Northrop’s first novel, Gentlemen, he tells the chilling mystery of a group of high school boys. They begin to suspect something when their friend goes missing. All the signs start to point toward their English teacher, Mr. Haberman. The plot will turn your mind upside down so you can’t let go of the book. We feel the boys in the story are kind of hard to connect to. However, the suspenseful plot keeps you guessing throughout the story. If you are a young male adult, th is is the book for you. It is an easy read that will keep you on your toes. Find out for yourself, is Mr. Hablerman a killer? Buck M., Grant F., Danny T., class of 2012

Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member

2010-10-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

In Sanyika Shakur’s thrilling autobiography, Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member, the reader will feel as if he/she is truly in the slums of L.A. where crime runs amuck at every corner and justice is served by worthless vigilantes with no sense of the law. Kody Scott, nicknamed Monster, is a troubled young man who truly doesn’t belong in life or so he feels. When he joins the Crips, his gang, he felt liberated and happy but rea lly, violence dictated his whole life. Page after page, you will not want to set this book down as the struggles of inner city gangs unfold before your very eyes. When handed a gun at the age of 10, told to kill or be killed, what would you do? Travis L., Mitch W., Chad H., class of 2012

The Bell Jar

2010-10-14T09:58:00.002-05:00

If Esther Greenwood was any other girl in the world she would be estatic to be spending a month in New York sponsered by an elite fashion magazine, but Esther is not the average girl. Facing depression and emotional emptiness, Esther is lost inside her own critical mind and drowning in the expectations of others. Sylvia Plath’s eerie ability to relate her character to her reader leaves them convinced they are following the same arduous path as Esther Greenwood. Targeting young women, The Bell J ar captivates the senses, sways the feelings and manipulates the ideas of life. Although not for the light hearted, The Bell Jar is definitely an essential read for all young women. - Sarah S, Anna C. Hanna R., class of 2012

Hunger Games

2010-10-14T09:57:00.003-05:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first book of a fiction series, it’s a book that holds the question would you be able to kill your best friend? Or any other kid your age? This book is about a crumbling North America before world war three. The country is split up between twelve districts. The main character Katniss Everdeen, is a 16 year old girl from the poorest district, district twelve. In this book the capital picks two teens from each district to fight a furious battle to the death. Collins writes many girl adult books but this thrilling novel is recommended for boys and girls of all ages and they will still enjoy it. - Mike Reimann, Alec P., class of 2012

How would you react if every year there was a possibility of your name being drawn to become a diplomat of your district, which would most likely cause your death? Every year the Capitol chooses two representatives from each district to battle in an arena until only one remains. Katniss Everdeen was one of the representatives for District 12. This book is full of action, drama, tragedy and even a story of star-crossed lovers battling to the death. The book leaves a c liffhanger at the end of every chapter, which only makes you want to read more. While reading, the vivid discriptions make you feel like you are experiencing the intense action that is the “Hunger Games.” This book is good for any reader looking for a thrill. - Fernando, Ian, Nate, Sean, class of 2012

Readers will love the suspenseful page turner of The Hunger Games. Sixteen year old Katniss is now one of the two candidates from her district to be entered in the annual Hunger games. During this process two people from each of the twelve districts are put in an arena full of thick trees and brush and they are told to fight to the death on live television. Alliances and rebellion play a strong role in this novel while Katniss and Peeta, the other candidate from her district, form a s trong relationship which helps the two go far. Love, strength and determination are key to winning these inhumane games. This is a five star book and recommended for all readers above the age of twelve. Not recommended to readers sensitive to violence. - Katie K Andrew C Kody G Steven B, class of 2012