Saturday, October 1, 2016

ARC Review: Iron Man: The Gauntlet

Iron Man: The Gauntlet
by Eoin Colfer

Iron Man: The Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer is an excellent novel about a famous inventor/billionaire/genius named Tony Stark. This novel opens with Stark embarking on an international eco-summit (a conference for startups, investors and corporations), which is happening in Ireland. Stark discovers that one of his old enemies has hatched an evil plan to assassinate all of the eco-ministers, as well as Iron Man. If I reveal anything more, then I will spoil it for readers! 

The writer, Eoin Colfer, manages to mix up action and excitement with comedy throughout the book. My personal favorite character in this book is the main character, Tony Stark, because he is a very intelligent inventor who creates amazing things and he is also very funny. 

Eoin Colfer has his own website where he lists other books that he has written: http://www.eoincolfer.com/.

Recommendation-

“Iron Man: The Gauntlet” by Eoin Colfer is mainly meant for kids between the ages of 8 and 12. I personally enjoyed reading it and would give it a 4-5 star rating. I would give this rating because although it was very fun to read and I wish there was even more!

Publisher: Marvel Press
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Hardcover pages: 288

ARC Review: The Stranger Game

The Stranger Game
by Cylin Busby

 Nico's sister was found, but did she really return? The Stranger Game is twisted and dark, and will really get you hooked in. So many mysteries and secrets rolled up into one amazingly written book. This book focuses on 12-year-old Nico Walker. Her older sister Sarah mysteriously disappeared, and for Nico it was a huge relief due to everything Sarah put her through. Now Sarah is back, but changed. Throughout the book, it becomes more and more clear to Nico what exactly happened on the fatal night of Sarah's disappearance. One of the most relevant quotes in this book is “The longer you tell yourself a lie, the more you believe it, until finally it becomes your truth.” The author does a spectacular job of tying in well said quotes within the actual plot. Not only does Busby do that but she makes the quotes relatable to people's everyday lives which is one of my favorite things about this book. There is nothing better than book that you can relate to and apply to your own life. I would have to say the most interesting character in the book has to be Sarah. The author switches back and forth through perspectives, but when it is time to read Sarah's side of the story, readers get to listen and experience what she went through while she was missing that none of the other characters would have even known. 

All in all, I would give this book a five star rating! I recommend this book for ages 13-18 because the plot moves along very fast and is very intense. Readers who love creepy, action packed, and mysterious books would love this read, and probably will not be able to put it down! 

Learn more about the author Cylin Busby on her Instagram @Cylinbusby, her Twitter @CylinBusby and her Goodreads account with a clear description of her amazing book and more about her https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28925213-the-stranger-game

Review by Nivea R.

Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Hardcover Pages: 288
Age Range: 13 Years+



*Our class received an ARC of this book to read/review from the Publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion and review*

ARC Review: Be Good Be Real Be Crazy

Be Good Be Real Be Crazy
by Chelsey Philpot

Image living in a tiny little part of your state and never knowing what was beyond your town barrier. Well in the book, Be Good Be Real Be Crazy by Chelsey Philpot, the author creates a story about three young kids that take a wild road trip across the country. One of the main characters Mia is one strange person, but also an amazing person in Homer's (another main character) eyes. Homer has a huge crush on Mia, but won't tell her. He offers to take Mia across the country so she can get out of Florida and visit her foster sister. Throughout the story these teenagers go through many different obstacles to reach their destination.

One of my favorite characters in this book would have to be Homer’s little brother, Einstein. Einstein is the joy of this book! He makes the road trip more exciting and more adventurous. Einstein loves scientific things and is a very smart individual. While they are on the road trip, Einstein gets to see one of his favorite band scientist in concert! I recommend this book to people who like adventurous books and daily teen drama. I rate this book a 4 out of 5.

Review by Kylee D.

Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: October 11, 2016
Hardcover Pages: 272
Age Range: 13 Years

ARC Review: Ryan Quinn

Ryan Quinn and the Rebel's Escape
by Ron McGee

Bam! Pow! Ryan Quinn and the Rebel’s Escape by Ron McGee is an action-packed novel with secrets agents, rescue missions, and dark secrets soon to be found out. Ryan Quinn lived his whole life thinking his father was a United Nations worker. Yet after being followed by an unknown man who later on would kidnap his mother, Ryan found out his father actually is one of many on a line of Emergency  Rescue Committee, and is on the run. It's up to Ryan to find his father and the person he's saving, Myat Kaw, in five days or else his mother will be killed. Read as Ryan and his new acquaintance, Tasha, continue their action packed journey to find John Quinn and Myat Kaw in Ryan Quinn and the Rebel’s Escape.


          I've been pretty busy lately, so I didn't get the time to really intricately read the novel, but I always thought the main character was so creative. Ryan Quinn always thought he lived a semi-normal life. Although he traveled a lot, he thought his parents had normal jobs and they did regular family things. But, as the book progresses, Ryan finds out that, of course, that his dad is actually a worker in the Emergency Rescue Committee, and also that all those little trips and walks were actually so he could survive on his own. For example, his parents would take him on these. “Moon Hikes”. They would go out for a hike in the dark with no lanterns or flashlights. At first it scared Ryan, but eventually he got used to it. Fast forward a few years later, Ryan is alone in the dark in the woods. He knows exactly what to do because he remembers those Moon Hikes. Ryan is very creative and discovers that his parents did that on purpose so when he would be in this situation, he would remember what to do. Not only does he use these tips, but he adds on to them and becomes successful. Not only is his mind creative, but he also shows strength and determination, which is why Ryan is my favorite character.


The author's purpose behind creating this masterpiece of a book is not only to entertain but spread knowledge and view. As a fluent reader, I thought it was a very entertaining book. It was humorous, action packed, and had a little bit of romance. I never was bored and wanted to put the book down. At first I had my doubts. It was meant for someone a year younger than me and I didn’t usually read adventure books. I usually read sci-fi or historical fiction, not just adventure and action. Yet, when I began reading it was really meant for all ages. Although it was a little easy, it wasn’t too young. It was mature and entertaining. Also, it gave lots of knowledge on culture as Ryan describes where he has lived and things he’s learned from all those places. And when he was in Andakar when he was trying to find his father, you learn about the culture there, too.


In all, I highly recommend “Ryan Quinn and the Rebel’s Escape” by Ron McGee. You’ll never put the book down and it’ll leave you with a positive experience and a new knowledge for different cultures. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. On October 16th, hopefully you’ll be able to see this  novel because it is really worth the read.

Review by Laney J.
*Our class received an ARC of this book to read/review from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

ARC Review: The Call by Peadar O'Guilin

The Call 
by Peadar O'Guilin


I flew through this book! Imagine the Hunger Games almost. Every teen has to try to survive the 3 minute call. Imagine being chased down by 2 ugly, teen-hungry, vicious, monsters ready to torture and kill you. You only have to survive one day BUT only 1/10 make it out alive. Good luck sleeping at night after you grab ahold of this book.


    The author Peadar O'Guilin created this book to give readers something different. The Call isn't your average book. It consists of many plot twist from the real world. The Call is set in an Irish world that has no communication with the rest of the world. Teenagers in Ireland are taught how to survive the call instead of algebra or how to write an essay. The Call makes readers think. It's similar to Hunger Games but its something much more! The Call not only focuses on surviving, but also every man for himself. Shockingly, The Call includes challenges a teenager will face, along with the human emotions and turmoil felt by a teenagers. Nessa is a teenager at school. She is of course learning how to survive the Sidhe (The Call). Nessa's challenge of surviving is lower because of her weakened legs. But despite her challenges nothing will stop Nessa from coming out as a survivor. Or so she believes.


    I personally highly recommend this book! It's more than hard to put down. I would rate The Call a 5 out of 5 stars. It has great qualities and just the whole plot itself is so interesting. Nothing about it was predictable, and it was almost impossible to this book down. Make this be your next read!

Review by Reece K.

Publisher: Scholastic
Published: August 30, 2016
Hardcover Pages: 320

*Our class received an ARC of this book to read and review from Scholastic, in exchange for my honest review.

ARC Review of Pushing Perfect

Pushing Perfect

by Michelle Falkoff

For the most part, we are all scared of monsters. They aren’t always the big green ones with eight eyes and sharp teeth, like we see in the movies. Sometimes, the creature we are scared of is an object or an action, a person or even a word that is just so deadly, it sits in your mouth like poison and slowly takes over. Pushing Perfect by Michelle Falkoff is a perfect example. Kara has always been seen as the perfect student, teenager and friend. Between her flawless skin, her grades and her ability to make friends easily, nothing ever seemed wrong. But Kara knows the truth. She knows that her whole life changed, and so has her face, and no one can know. As the school year progresses, she learns that the secrets are building up on her, and if even one slips, it will all come down.
This book, published by Harper Teen, is set to be released on October 25, 2016 and some of Falkoff followers cannot wait. This being the first book I have read by Falkoff, I feel that I got a good idea of her writing style. I am dying to read her other novel Playlist For The Dead, and I hope the characters resemble some like Alex from Pushing Perfect. Alex is by far my favorite character and I’m sure some others can agree. Alex is a somewhat normal high school student… Or is she? At school, she may seem boring and barely pushing through, but at home, she is fun and loving and someone you would never imagine. She seems to me like a good representation of a lot of teenagers because many of us act different at school, and Falkoff seemed to understand that. I think that the author’s reason for writing this book was to entertain teens with a story about things that really happen among our age group. It seems comforting that an adult understands the temptations and struggles of being a teen.
I would give this book a five star rating, and I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a mystery with a big amount of drama and a bit of romance. This is also a book for people who have a good sense of humor and those who like suspense. Some chapters had me gasping and having my breath caught in my lungs, and the same will probably come to you!


To read more about Falkoff, check out her webpage at: http://members.authorsguild.net/mfalkoff/ . Happy reading!

Age Range: 13 Years
Publication Date: October 25, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Hardcover Pages: 352

Review by SierraS.

*Our class received an ARC of this book to read and review from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, September 30, 2016

ARC Review of Saving Hamlet

Saving Hamlet

by Molly Booth

Emma Alan couldn't be more excited for sophomore year. New haircut, new life, right? Maybe this year will be the one where Brandon, her senior crush, will notice her. But as soon as she arrives at school, she's pulled aside by Brandon (her heart somersaulting) and tells her that she's been promoted to stage manager! But there are some things that come with it she didn't expect. One day, when she's staying after school, she accidentally falls into a trap door built just for her high school's production of Hamlet. But when she hits the mat, she can tell it's...different.  Well, turns out that she's traveled back 400 years in time. She soon finds that she didn't land in any old place, but Shakespeare's very own Globe! Saving Hamlet by Molly Booth includes many relatable subjects from the very jumbled minds of teenagers. Throughout finding where her heart, head, and life lies, something Emma said was, "it was it wasn't over yet." I'm sure we've all had the same thoughts in her heads when faced with failure at some point, right? The author so precisely captures something that millions of teens could relate with easily.
My favorite character was Cooke, because of how well written he was. Cooke, a twentysomething Ophelia for Shakespeare, was comical yet someone you could easily rely on. He never failed to make Emma laugh and fit in with the Shakespearian cultures. Saving Hamlet and it's wonderful way of connecting with the reader on every level really made the experience worthwhile.
  Finally, Molly Booth and her wonderful cast of characters really opened my eyes to the way people think. She taught me that you have to break out of your shell to succeed. It really stood out from any other teen fiction book on the market, from the interwoven plot lines down to the comedy. She teaches us that living outside what you normally call your comfort zone can really be worthwhile.

5/5 stars.
  • Age Range: 12 - 17 years
  • Grade Level: 7 - 12
  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (November 1, 2016)

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion for the opportunity for review.

Review by Adrianna P.