Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rain Reign
Author: Ann M. Martin
Lexile: 720
Length: 240 Pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: None
Reading Ram Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5



                   Rose Howard loves homonyms, prime numbers, and following the rules. She loves homonyms so much, she even named her dog Rain (Reign) a homonym, and is delighted that her own name is a homonym. She lives in a small town, and her father work at the J&G Garage down the street. Her uncle also lives in town, and drives Rose to school every day. She's different from the other students at her school. She needs an aide. Nobody else in fifth grade does. One day, Rose learns of a gigantic hurricane that is going to hit right in her town. The night of the hurricane, while Rose is asleep, her father lets Rain out, but not back in. When she gets up in the morning Rain has vanished. Where is her precious dog? If she's even still alive!
                  This story was so sweet and well written, I really felt sorry for Rose when all the other kids in her class made fun of her and mocked her openly. Rose has autism, and she is treated differently by everyone else, even her father. The reason I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars was because whenever Rose was talking or thinking, the homonyms in the sentence were in parenthesis, and it was soooooooooooo annoying to read. So, it was still a really great book, but that part jsut bugged me a lot. You should really try this book out in your free time!!!!!!

Let It Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson

Let It Snow
Author: John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson
Lexile: 730
Length: 352 Pages
Awards: None
Reading Ram Star Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars


         
                     Jubilee is on her way to visit her grandparents in Florida, her own parents are in jail because of a small dispute at a shop. Her parents lawyer next door shoved money in her hand, drove to the nearest train station, and sent her off. A huge snowstorm strikes, and the train is stranded in a small city, Gracetown. And it's the night before Christmas. Jubilee decides to explore,  because the train gets a lot colder as it shuts down to preserve heat and power. She meets a boy, Stuart. He is single, his girl just broke his heart. Maybe Jubilee will get a Christmas miracle after all...
                     Tobin is chillin' with his friends on Christmas Eve, which eventually turns into early Christmas morning. They get a call from another friend at a waffle house, telling them that a lot of cheerleaders are there, pretty cheerleaders. They start to head over, but the roads are so snowy from the huge storm, they barely make it. Tobin comes to realize that his friends are more important than any cheerleader. Especially the Duke, whose real name is Angie.
                     Addie has just broken up with her boyfriend Jeb, and it's their 1 year anniversary. She is wallowing in self pity. Her friends are trying to cheer her up, with few positive results. Addie works at the local Starbucks, and when she comes into work the day after Christmas, a true Christmas miracle happens.
                      I really loved this book. It was 3 different stories each by a different author. All of them were so good! And they had the same characters, and same kind of story, a big snow storm ruins their plans, so they had to make the best of it. Then at the end they all join together, and share their collective tales. The reason I gave it 4.8 out of 5 stars is that some of the the parts of the book were long and boring and too drawn out. But besides that it had amazing details and emotions. You should definitely try this book out in your free time.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Lexile: 730
Length: 464 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: None
Reading Ram Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars



                              Skeeter Phelan is 24 years old. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's. She still lives with her parents, and is unmarried, much to the dismay of her friends who all happen to be married. Skeeter went to college, and her dream is to one day be a famous writer. Little does she know that dream may be about to come true.
                              Aibileen Clark is an African American maid. She is in a group of maids called The Help. They all serve rich white woman and their families for low pay, and even lower treatment. Aibileen is on her 17th child. 17th. Child. Aibileen loves all of them, but knows deep inside that one day they will turn out like their parents, mean and racist. Aibileen and her friend Minnie, have just about had it with serving cruel white families. But they are too afraid to say anything, in fear of the KKK. And that they will be unemployed, with no more money to help their own families.
                              Maybe it was fate, or just plain luck that drew these women together. With the help of each other, Skeeter and Aibileen set off on a huge task, with the help of many other maids. One that could put them at risk forever. Or even kill them. But it has to be done. Because of them, the world knows the true life of The Help.
                               I loved this book sososososososososo much! It was so open, with such amazingly detailed sides of each story. The author perfectly portrayed the lives of each woman, with personal details, and such realistic events! I don't know how she did it, but Kathryn Stockett managed to accurately render the lives of actual people living in that time. It was incredible. I know it was fictional, but it felt so real! I think this may be my favorite book ever!! EVER!!! I would recommend this book to kids going into 8th grade or above, it was extremely inappropriate. But you should definitely try this book out in your free time, you won't regret it, I swear.

Chris Colfer Author Visit Review

               On Saturday July 11th, Chris Colfer made a special author visit to the St. Louis County Headquarters Library. There was a 20 minute Q&A, where we could ask him questions about him and the books. People were asking about movies for the books, how many books were going to be in the series, et cetera. It was a lot of fun, and everybody got a copy of his new book, Beyond the Kingdoms. It was a great chance to meet the author and get your book signed! It was so much fun, so keep looking for another chance to meet an author!

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

Hello Readers! This is another guest post from my friend S's Reads. I hope you enjoy!

Matilda Bone

Author: Karen Cushman

Lexile: 850

Length: 176 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards and Honors: Parent's Choice Silver Award

Arizona Young Reader's Master List

Maine Student Book Award Master List

Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

American Bookseller " Pick of the Lists"

School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year

New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

Rating: 4.3/5 stars

   Orphaned 13 year old Matilda has lived in a manor for the majority of her life. She was well taught by her guardian, Father Leufredus who lives in the large estate as well. Life in the manor is very pleasant for Matilda until Father Leufredus leaves to London leaving Matilda to become the assistant of Red Peg the Bonesetter. Matilda is very reluctant when she finds out that she will become an assistant to a Bonesetter. Matilda is very judgmental of Peg and her ways of life. She thinks that she is much more worthy of a higher position in life than the assistant to a Bonesetter. As each day goes by, Matilda learns more about life and herself through each experience. It's very interesting to watch Matilda grow through every chapter of Matilda Bone. She establishes friendships that could last a lifetime and truly shows that she really strives to do her best. 

     Personally, it was very interesting learning about what little knowledge that they had back in the 14th century. You realize how much knowledge we have accumulated over 700 years. I really enjoyed this book even though it is a short read. You definitely learn a lot about medicine and technology in the 14th century.Each character has it's own personality and style. I find their personalities and view points very interesting. I highly enjoyed this book through every chapter and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a short but good book to read.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel
Lexile: 830
Length: 326 Pages
Genre: Action and Adventure
Awards: 2002 Man Booker Prize For Fiction
Reading Ram Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars



                          Piscine Molitor Patel is a sweet, God loving boy who lives in Pondicherry, India. He is more commonly called Pi. Pi Patel.  His father works in a zoo, so Pi naturally knows a lot about animals. He loves books and is an extremely bright boy. But he is not like other boys, he is Christian, Muslim, and Hindu all at the same time. One day, when Pi is 16, his family decides that it is safer to move to Canada then stay in India. They come along with a Japanese cargo ship, so they can transport their animals from the zoo with them. One lonely morning Pi wakes up in the cabin he and his brother, Ravi, share. Pi goes exploring up on the deck, only to find the ship is sinking. He makes for a lifeboat, gets on, only to find that there are 4 animals aboard with him. A zebra, hyena, orangutan, and the most dangerous, a bengal tiger. The tiger soon disposes of all but Pi. Pi must put his strength, vast knowledge of animals, and just plain survival skills to the test. Will he make it out alive, or will he become one of the sad stories of a boy lost at sea?
                          I really liked this book a lot, it was very well thought out and entertaining. Pi is such an interesting character, he is so different. The reason I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars was because the beginning was so boring. It didn't get interesting at ALL until about page 100 or so. I almost didn't finish it. But I am glad that I did. I would recommend this book to 8th grade and up. It is a little confusing at first, and you need to have learned some things before you read it. It is not inappropriate at all, but still I believe only 8th grade and up should read it. You should really consider this book for your free time.

The Glass Swallow by Julia Golding

Hello Readers! This is a guest post written by my friend Kion Vi-legas. I hope you enjoy!

The Glass Swallow

Author: Julia Golding

Lexile: 760

Length: 304 Pages

Genre: Fantasy Fiction

Awards: None

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Rain has lived with her father, Torrent, all her life. Rain loves to design stained glass windows, and her skill at doing so has brought her family good fortune. However, nobody knows that she is the one making the designs. This is because females are strictly forbidden to participate in the glassmaking industry. When ambassadors from a foreign land come to the city looking for glass makers, they are directed to her father's forge. Rain decides to accompany the ambassadors under cover as being her cousin's fiancee. Something goes terribly wrong on the expedition, and Rain finds herself without allies in an alien world. She is captured by bandits, then freed. However through a difference in culture, her savior abandons her at the city gates, telling her to take a bath. She tries to survive in a hostile city, even as the city destroys itself. As events escalate, Rain must do what she thinks is right, even if those she cares about disagree, to save the land she has come to love. Also, falconry. 
Pretentious intro aside, this book was very entertaining. The characters are interesting. The world is well built and believable. It’s a quick read, only 304 pages, but worth it. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to read fantasy without much real combat, instead filled with politics and such. The Glass Swallow is a unique take on fantasy, an easy and enjoyable read. It’s a great book, read it.

So go to your local library, find this book, check it out and read it, you will not regret it. P.S. I am a very picky person so this is a very positive review for me.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War That Saved My Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Lexile: 580
Length: 316 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: None
Reading Ram Star Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars



               Ada has never left her tiny apartment in London. Her mother is too embarrassed by her crippled foot to ever let her outside. Ever. Ada is forced to sit inside all day and do nothing. Every day. 7 days a week. Then one day Ada's brother Jamie is to be sent away to a village, so he is safe in case the Germans bomb London. It is the beginning of WW2, and lots of people are doing this sort of thing. But Ada is not to be sent anywhere. She would just stay with her mother, and leave her brother. But Ada isn't going to let that happen. She sneaks out with Jamie, and leaves London. Finally she is free from her mother. Free to do whatever she wants. But she is faced with another challenge, Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take her and Jamie in. Ada's and Jamie's bond with Susan grows, and when the time comes, would they ever go home?
                I really loved this book! It is such an interesting take on WW2. Most people hated it. In all the other books I've read about WW2, they always think it is so horrible. It definitely was, but this one was just so different. Ada definitely hated the war, but she hated her mother much, much more. So she was grateful for it, almost. Which is why the title is what it is. I gave it 4.8 stars because it was such a low lexile. Absolutely no vocabulary in it at all! Please author, maybe next time just a little bit more challenging words? But it got pulled up a lot because it was still such an amazing story. There are no inappropriate parts in it at all. You should really try it out in your free time!

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartman
Lexile: 760
Length: 465 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: William C. Morris Debut Award Winner
Reading Ram Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


             Dragons. That one word creates fear in the peoples of  Gorredd's hearts. Long before, a peace treaty was made between the most important general of the dragons and the current queen. Over that time,none of the hostility people felt toward dragons eased, if anything, it became more solid and bitter. Dragons could take a human form and would attend certain ceremonies and councils with the humans, which only made the public even more angry. Right before the 40 anniversary of the treaty, a member of the royal family, next heir to the throne, was murdered. What outraged the public is that he was decapitated. Exactly how a dragon would kill a person. Seraphina Dombegh fears both sided warily. She is the new music mistress at court, with tremendous musical talent. But her secret behind it could end the peace. Seraphina teams up with the head of security for the royal family, Prince Lucian Kiggs. Together they must unravel the mystery behind Prince Rufus' death. Can Seraphina really reunite 2 drastically different worlds?
                     I did enjoy this book a lot, it really captured what I think about dragons well. It was a little confusing, like how she went from peasant to court life, but it still worked out okay. The reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars however, was that it just wasn't very different from other fantasy books. It was a classic Hero's journey, so I could basically tell what was going to happen. Some parts did surprise me a little, but it's like that in every good book. That is just me, it will probably not be like that for you, so don't let that stop you from reading it. Overall, it was a good book, very interesting. And dragons are actually a hard topic to write about, making them different from the classic fairytale dragon, so the author did a great job with that. You should really try this book out in your free time if you are a fan of fantasy!