Read Arizona

Imagine the world after a nuclear holocaust and it is completely taken over by an elite clan. This story is about a group of kids who are forced to enter a sudden death match in an arena with the victor winning fame and fortune and the losers suffering death by their own team mates’ hands. Peeta Melark and Katniss Everdeen, the main characters in this story, experience drama, love, and (for the more blood thirsty reader) violence. Oh, and there are a bunch of other starving kids in the arena who try to kill each other without weapons.
The genre is the greatest part of this book- it’s action, romance, and drama all together. This book is strictly for 10 years old and above because there is some graphic violence. The setting of this book instills fear into the calcium of your bones but at the same time it keeps you entertained and wanting more. What I personally liked was that it’s as “cool” as the cover says it is. What I mean is that this book doesn’t play around when it comes to the story - it’s deadly serious.

This book is such a good book. It is about a girl named Aislinn. She is a girl who can see faeries. The faeries in this book aren’t like regular tooth fairies; they are human sized. They are very powerful and very dangerous. Most of the faeries get very weak when they’re near metal but the more powerful faeries, called court fey, are used to it. The faeries pick on the mortals because they are wicked and mortals can’t see them.

Aislinn hangs out with Seth, her best friend. Most of the time Aislinn is at Seth’s house. She feels safe with him. There is a little bit of romance between them but they both don’t want to admit it.

There are some rules that Aislinn’s grandmother told her she has to follow to stay safe when she is around the faeries. Rule#3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries; Rule#2: Don’t talk to invisible faeries; Rule#1: Don’t ever attract their attention.

What I really liked about this book was that it wasn’t what I expected. I thought that faeries were like Tinker Bell, or something like that. I also liked the romance between Aislinn and Seth. I think that this book really relates to the Twilight series and I think that people who like Twilight will like Wicked Lovely.

Reviewed by: Samantha L. @ Hohokam Middle School
Edited by: cf
Photo Credit: Google Images

This book is about Tucker Case, a pilot, who after a romp with a lady of the night, ends up in the hospital. His life is turned upside down, and he’s got one chance to have a good life again by flying for a mysterious Dr. and his not-so sane wife. But what Tucker doesn’t know is that flying for them will completely change his life.

I loved this book; it was hysterical! The only problem I have with this book, was that the beginning was a little too dry for me. I think that everyone who reads this book will enjoy it as much as I have. It will leave you laughing

I recommend this book to any high school student really, who loves a good laugh.  Reviewed by Caitlynn

Mark Albright after 30 years has returned to Declare, Oklahoma trying to find Gaylene Harjo his suspected birthmother. When he arrives, he starts to look for Gaylene but Teeve (Gaylene’s sister-in-law) tells him shocking news about himself and Gaylene. She tells him about a murder that happened in 1972. The victim was his mother, Gaylene Harjo and Mark is the missing boy everyone thought was dead, Nicky Jack Harjo. As the story goes on Mark tries to get a feeling of who Gaylene was. He also starts to investigate who was the killer and how he really ended up where he did.

I think this book was remarkable because as much as Mark had been convinced he would never know who killed or took him, he never gave up. In the end he found a real family. I would recommend this book to young adults who enjoy a murder/hope/love story.

Reviewed by:  Cassie P. @ Catalina H.S.

Edited by:  kb

Photo Credit:  Google Images

Set in the Pacific Ocean during a modern day, Piscine Patel a very religious teenager from India, is the son of a Zookeeper. His father is very unsure about the political actions in the Indian country, decides to move to Canada and start a whole new life. On the way the boat sinks, and Piscine (Pi) is stranded on a lifeboat, with a hyena, orangutan, a zebra with a broken leg and a 450 pound Bengal tiger. The tiger ends up eating the rest of the animals, and in the struggle for dominance Pi has to feed himself and the tiger long enough to finally hit land.

In the novel, Pi tells two different stories to detectives searching for the real answer. He tells one with animals, and one with people.  He allows you to pick the story you want, and that will be the one you believe. In my opinion I believe the story with people — it is much more realistic even though it is very upsetting.  I would recommend the book to young adult readers and older because it is a mildly difficult read.

Reviewed by:  Dillon C. @ Catalina H.S.

Edited by:  kb

Photo Credit:  Google Images