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Teen Book Reviews Click on title for availability
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Great expectations by Charles DickensThe novel Great Expectations is about how a young poor boy named Pip comes to receive his "great expectations". At first his main goal is to become a well mannered gentlemen but as he ages on he soon discovers that he wants to achieve a great education. He gains access to this later on in the book. Another main character is Joe, which is Pip's sister's husband (brother in law). Joe has always been kind to Pip and one of his main goals was simply to look out for the wellbeing of Pip. Later in the book when Pip gets older he grows to be somewhat ashamed of Joe due to his lack of education. I think readers should try this book because it teaches the lesson that material wealth does not equate to the wellbeing of a person. Through Pip's story it is shown once he becomes wealthy he looses sight of what is really important, luckily he finds himself in the end. As well as it is always important to treat others with respect no matter what.
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The house of the scorpion by Nancy FarmerThe House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is set in the futuristic country of Opium and it is about the story of Matt, who is the clone of an extremely powerful 140-year-old drug lord of Opium known as El Patron. El Patron’s real name is Matteo Alacran and along with his family, as a part of the Alacran Estate, plants opium poppies. Matt was created so he could provide El Patron with organ transplants. His life is full of ups and downs, and he is treated terribly by El Patron’s henchmen. Matt is a very lovable character in the book and we can do nothing but root for him, even if he is treated as a sub-human. The imagery in this book is amazing, as it builds a vivid and realistic dystopian world, and we can see vivid descriptions such as in the house of El Patron, the opium fields, and the world around them. This book also has exceptional character development, as we can see Matt’s transformation from a little innocent and naive kid living with El Patron’s cook to becoming a man who is very complex and determined to get things done. This book also touches on the morality of human cloning and we can see how human clones are treated. It raises questions if human cloning is maybe something we shouldn’t touch, and just leave as thoughts. Overall, I’d recommend this book because it is about a very interesting subject and raises some very interesting questions.
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Into the wild by Erin W. Hunter The book “Into the Wild” by Erin Hunter is the first book of the fictional series "Warrior Cats” that follows a house cat named Rusty on an adventure into the wild. Rusty finds himself dreaming of wandering into the forest and one day he does just that. While he was trying to hunt, more cats came by and offered to let him join their clan called Thunderclan. Rusty is given one day to think about whether he would stay in his comfortable life indoors, or go into the wild to train to be a warrior. We follow him through his journey of decisions to be accepted by Thunderclan. I enjoyed this story because it puts me into a whole other perspective, seeing how cats might see the world. Their names for human-made things are very interesting. The story has mystery and action and leaves you wanting more at the end of the book. The characters have distinct personalities that you can grow to love and remember. You really get to know the inner workings of the clans and how each cat has their role. This book also has incredible detail that's almost like you're there. Rusty’s journey is something to remember and fun to read about. Other readers should read this book because the book really makes you trigger your imagination. It's like you can really see what's happening in the book. This book is a great read and I really recommend people to read it
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Just Gus by McCall Hoyle Just Gus is a book about a livestock guardian dog named Gus whose job is to protect his farm from animals. He likes keeping his sheep, chickens, and humans safe. One day Cloe’s cousin Diego comes to town, Gus and Diego already feel like they have a friendship. They both enjoy the quiet and Gus feels like Diego could really use Gus to help his constant worrying. Then one day Gus detects the scent of a bear and rushes to save his flock, he injures his leg in the fight with the bear. Gus needs to rest and relax (stay away from his flock). Diego suggests that Gus stays with them in North Carolina. Gus is now in a new world with people who don't love the idea of big dogs which reminds him of his old owner, the junkyard man. Gus needs to make a decision about his flock or Diego. I would rate this book four stars out of five because this book is such a heartwarming story. As soon as Gus and Diego met they already had a connection. Although I do feel like whenever Vern shows up the scenes get weird and I was disappointed that they didn't mention much about the fire their nephews caused. I believe the main idea of Just Gus is friendship. Throughout, Gus chooses what he wants to do and not what he's ‘meant to do’.
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The screaming staircase by Jonathan Stroud An eerie problem has occurred in twenty first century London: the dead not wanting to stay dead and coming back as spirits, specters, and ghosts. It is up to the youth to keep them out. A girl, no younger than sixteen, Lucy Carlyle leaves her hometown after a ghost hunting gig goes horribly wrong, leaving her coworkers dead. The talented Lucy Carlyle teams up with the Anthony Lockwood, the leader of Lockwood and Co, a small ghost hunting agency without any adult supervision. After an assignment leads them both to jump from a house fire that they caused themselves, Anthony, Lucy, and the their talented researcher George embark on an investigation of the famous, haunted house of Combe Cary Hall.
This book leads you on twists and turns with charming humor. The book surfaces on both murder and hauntings with scares and thrilling action and suspense.
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The stranded by Sarah Daniels The Stranded is about a luxury cruise now home to the Stranded. The Stranded have been on this cruise for forty years and no one can leave. Esther is a sixteen-year-old girl and a loyal citizen, working hard to one day become a medic for people on land. But her plans are forced to change when she saves the injured Nik, a rebel focused on a dangerous strategy to destroy the Arcadia, the cruise. Both are willing to risk everything to reach dry land. I would rate The Stranded four stars out of five because the descriptions of where people resided with the haves and the have-nots reminded me of the Titanic with the poor staying below deck. The book also reminded me of the beginning of the Titanic and people on cruise ships not being able to make port. Although the book was very good I felt like it went pretty slow and got pretty boring after the first few chapters. I do enjoy how they switch the perspectives of the characters. It's a fun new way to look at things. I think the main idea of The Stranded is to work together and that as a team, with friends at your side, you can do anything
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