Reviews by: Scandinavia
Bartimaeus Is Back!
If you enjoyed the original Bartimaeus trilogy, then this series prequel should be sure to delight you! Bartimaeus is back in this novel set in the ancient days of Jerusalem. Enslaved by a cruel master with a more sinister servant, our favorite, wise-cracking djinn must help build a temple (until he's found in the form of a hippopotamus, mocking one of King Solomon's wives), searching the desert wastes for bandits, and generally causing mayhem and misfortune (for both others and himself) with his tongue's sarcastic barb.
Even if you haven't read the original three books in this series, you'll still find this novel to be a great jumping on point.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy:
do you wish you were once dead and still on earth? we'll then check out this book.
Madison Avery's life changed the day of her 17th b-day and on her prom night when she was killed by a dark reaper and yes her prom was literaly killer. Now she is stuck on earth alone dead and cold she must find her killer and stop him from killing her once and for all. Book by:Kim Harrison.
Bayou, Volume 1
This graphic novel collects the first 154 pages of Jeremy Love's webcomic "Bayou." Set in Mississippi in the days of Jim Crow, this is the story of Lee, a young, black girl being raised by her widowed father. When Lee's best friend, a rich white girl named Lily, is swallowed whole by an odd resident of the local bayou, Lee's father is framed for the crime. As the lynch mob begins to form, Lee races off to the swamps to gather evidence of her father's innocence. But this land has more than mundane monsters of which to be wary. Golliwogs, fairy spirits of the dead, giant talking animals, and more hinder and, sometimes, help Lee on her quest.
The art in this graphic novel does an excellent job portraying Lee and her environment. At times soft and bright, and at others dark and moody, it entices readers deeper into this eerie new landscape.
Bayou Volume 2 will not be released until January 2011, but readers wanting to continue Lee's story can find her online at http://zudacomics.com/bayou
Diary Of A Teenage Girl
The book "Diary Of A Teenage Girl" is a book that I think all girls can relate too. The girl in the story, Caitlin, has problems with friends, boys, and her relationship with God. Not to mention that her Dad has moved out, and may be cheating on her Mom due to a note addressed to Belinda, which is not her mother's name. She faces a lot of problems throughout the year. It's interesting to find out how she handles things.
Note: The author, Melody Carlson, has a number of Diary of a Teenage Girl series.
When You Reach Me
Sixth-grader Miranda has started receiving mysterious notes in odd places: a book, her backpack, a winter coat pocket (the coat was still in storage), an old shoe. The notes contain enigmatic statements, "I'm coming to save your friend's life, and my own," predict events in Miranda's future, and ask her for a favor. While Miranda puzzles over these notes, the rest of her life continues onward: days in a New York City school, avoiding the crazy man who hangs out on the corner of her block, estrangement from her childhood friend, Sal, dealing with new friends and rivals, and her mother's preparations to appear on the TV game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid." Can Miranda restore her friendship with Sal and face down her rival? Will her mother beat the Winner's Circle and win the $20,000 cash prize? And how does the mysterious note-writer fit into all of this, and who does he intend to save? If you enjoy life-in-the-city stories like
Read more»John Muir: Nature Writings
Born in Scotland and raised in Wisconsin, John Muir (1838-1914) was one of the leading naturalists of his time. A prolific writer, he strongly advocated for the preservation of the American wilderness and became the founder and president of the Sierra Club in 1892. Through his efforts, the U.S. Congress finally passed, in 1899, the National Park Bill leading to the creation of both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Muirâ?Ts environmental writings continue to inspire millions of people today. Nature Writings brings together 54 of John Muir's essays, including those from his books The Story of My Boyhood and Youth, My First Summer in the Sierra, The Mountains of California, and Stickeen, along with a selection of others. And, although this book checks in at almost 900 pages, most of the essays run only 15-20 pages long, with some considerably shorter, so skipping around to sample different pieces of Muir's writings is easily done. Any older teen with an interest in ecology, conservation, or beautiful, inspirational writing may find these essays of interest.
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