Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Although there are obvious overtones of other futuristic societies in this book such as in Brave New World, 1984, the Giver, or even Hunger Games, the story has a unique quality. In this society everything is decided for you from what you eat to whom you marry. No one lives past 80 because society has determined that your usefulness is over by that time. Cassia, our heroine, trusts that the government has her best interest at heart, until the day she is "matched" to her partner for life. Instead of just showing the picture of Xander, her friend and future partner, the computer also flashes a picture of Ky, another boy in her neighborhood. Since this is something that never happens, she is confused. Her "official" tries to explain it away, but this opens up questions in her mind about the flawless nature of the society she lives in. Trust soon turns to distrust. The story moves along at a nice pace with the end begging for the sequel. Some reviewers suggest that the book should be for 14 and up, but it would be fine for the mature 7th grader.



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Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I had to read this book. This is the favorite book of one of the best readers here at Union Middle School. She routinely picks this book off the shelf in between reading other books. I had to know what the attraction was. I must admit, I could see immediately why this book has such a hold on her. Diana Wynne Jones makes this most unique fantasy come alive. Sophie, the heroine, is turned into an old woman by the wicked witch of the waste. She quietly leaves the hat shop where she works with her stepmother, and ends up at the castle of the sorcerer Howl. Howl has a reputation of stealing the souls of young girls. The curse of being an old woman changes Sophie. Her personality comes alive. She becomes an outspoken,delightfully pushy old woman. As such, Sophie is able to work her way into the castle and becomes Howl's cleaning lady. She meets his apprentice Michael, and his fire demon, Calcifer. The story has many magical elements, including the "Moving Castle" which moves across the countryside. Sometimes it is hard to follow with so much magic going on, but it Wynne has a way of making magic seem believable. Truly a fun read.



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Beastly

Beastly by Alex Flinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I thought I'd better read this before the movie came out. It was an interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast story. Looking at the movie trailers, it looks like the movie "beast" is little more like a guy with a lot of tattoo-like things on his body rather than the hairy beast he is in the book. The author stays closer to the fairy tale, but the contemporary setting makes it one that will appeal to most middle school readers, boys and girls. With the movie coming out, many students will be asking for this book.



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Brain Jack

Brainjack by Brian Falkner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Brain Jack was an action movie in a book, including the high speed car chase. Sam, the main character, is an especially adept computer hacker who enjoys hacking into the most secure sites. Instead of landing him in jail, his amazing skills attract the attention of the Homeland Security Cyber Defense Division. They recruit him to defend Cyber attacks on sensitive govt. sites. He soon finds himself in the middle of a worldwide cyber takeover. Middle school boys and many girls will find this is a book they cannot put down.



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The Roar

The Roar by Emma Clayton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I listened to the audio of this book and absolutely loved it. I'm not sure if an extra star was for the reader or the book, but it was one of the most entertaining books I have encountered in quite a while. The story is a futuristic story about a society that believes that an animal plague has made a large portion of the earth uninhabitable. Because of this, the population is crowded into bleak towering apts. with the rich living in the golden towers on top, and the poor living in the dark dwellings below. The story revolves around twins Ellie and Mika. Ellie has been kidnapped by the evil Mal Gorman, and the story begins with her trying to make her escape with her pet monkey Puck. Unfortunately, she is again captured. Her twin brother, Mika,is convinced, in spite of being told otherwise, that she is still alive. He understands that in order to see her again he will have to win the contests being sponsored by Mal Gorman. The story is beautifully orchestrated with the right amount of suspense and fantasy. Definitely recommended for the middle school crowd.



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The Gardener

The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I guess I am a fan of S. A Bodeen. This story like The Compound was a unique story about about a future society. Mason, the main character in the story is a big guy with a giant heart. He likes to look out for people. When he ends up at his mother's work one day, he meets the most beautiful girl, Laila, and ends up helping her escape from TroDyn. He doesn't realize at the time that she needs to be there to survive. She is really a test subject for a futuristic project. Like The Compound, the story keeps you rapidly turning pages to the end. The book should be a good choice for reluctant readers.



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Favorite Books 2010

During our first meeting of 2011, the Friends of the Library discussed our favorite books for 2010. Here is the list we came up with. Add to the list if you want with your comments.
A Lunch
Kaitlyn B. :Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Josiah E. : Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Chase L. : Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, Of Mice and Magic by David Farell,
Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Kyla W. : Baseball Box Prophecy by Bruce Newbold, Spirit Window by Joyce Sweeney,
Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Dream House Kings series by Robert Liparulo, Seer series by Linda Joy Singleton.

April T.: Warriors Series by Erin Hunter, Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Mason B: Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan


Jesse S. Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers

Makaya B.: Darkside series by Tom Becker

Brooke D.: Maximum Ride series by James Patterson, Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Amanda M. : Once Upon a Marigold series by Jean Ferris, Haunted Places of the World by Raine Hogan, Fruits Basket graphic novels, Bleach graphic novels, and Vampire Night graphic novels.


Alysssa D.: A Child Called It by David Pelzer

Gabe C.: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

B lunch
Jarin C.: Maximum Ride series by James Patterson, Percy Jackson and the Olympian
series by Rick Riordan

Jacob O.: Owls of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lansky, Lord of the Rings by Tolkien

Heather T.: Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer, Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi, Heir
Apparent by Vivan Van Velde, Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene, and the Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon.

Kassie G. : Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones, Look For Me by Moonlight by Mary
Downing Hahn,

Vladlen G.: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Popular Science Magazine, Calvin and Hobbes by
Bill Watterson

Joey E.: Maximum Ride series by James Patteson, Warriors series by
Erin Hunter, Bleach series Manga.