33 snowfish

Submitted by: Torri Myers

33 snowfish

Adam Rapp

Published in 2003

179 pages

33 snowfish is told through the views of three homeless teens that band together to protect one another. Each has a troubled past of their own; struggling with drug addiction, murder, neglect and abuse. With some, in the end there is forgiveness and love. Unfortunately, it is too late for others to find the same comfort they've been longing for.

Rapp's writing is intense and thoughtful. He really shows you the struggles from the teens' pasts and how it affects them throughout their whole life, as if their future will never let go of the past no matter what. I liked being part of their hope to better themselves.

With Rapp's writing comes his use of language. Since his characters have been through such tough times, they don't really speak as nicely as they should. If you want to read this book, I suggest that having a mature attitude would help you along the way of enjoying and going into the lives of these three characters.

3.5 out of 5 stars

***1/2

Gossip Girl

Submitted by: Anonymous

Book: Gossip Girl (first of series)

Author: Cecily von Ziegesar

I'm not a big reader, i only read things that really get my attention. This is one of those books. This is the first book of a fairly large novel, which is written in the author's point of view. This is a very modern and sophisticated book with it's twists. This book is about a group of teenagers that are connected in some way whether it be that they are friends, lovers, enemies, or employers. This book is about all the obstacles they have to overcome.
There is so much drama in this book. One minute people are friends, another they hate each other. There are a lot of issues in this book that teenagers deal with in real life but in a much more dramatic way. This is a pretty fast paced book, and a little hard to follow in the begining, but once you know characters it's an easy read.
On a scale of one to five i definitely give it a five. The book is about rich boys and girls that have way too much time on their hands. One of the girls comes back from being gone for over a year. When she comes back there are so many rumors about her and the friends she thought she had weren't really friends at all. One boy is in love with his girlfriend, and her best friend. Thats just a little bit of the drama. This is definitely a book that you never want to put down.
*****

To Kill a Mockingbird

Submitted by: Anonymous

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee
Published in 1960
Number of pages: 281

To Kill a Mockingbird is based on a time period when America wasn't at its best; a time of power, pride, prejudice and fear. To Kill a Mockingbird is a touching story of one of the families during the Depression. I guarantee you will get something out of this book. I recommend this book to high school students because it is fairly difficult to understand some points and because it is written a little differently than most (1960s). I give To Kill a Mochingbird five stars bacause it has changed the way I view the past during the Depression and bacause it is fun to read. I guarantee you will probably get a little something out of it, too. It's emotional and funny. You will like it. Check it out!
*****

You Don't Know Me

Submitted by:Kirstie Anderson
You don’t know me
By: David Klass
Pub. 2001; 262 pgs.

This story is about a guy named John that thinks he is a “nobody”. He doesn’t think anyone understands him and to be honest they really don’t. I like the way this book is written. It is all about John’s thoughts when things are happening like his “dad that is not his dad” beats him, when he is at school and his confusion with girls. Because of this, it is written in first person. This book really makes me think about how cruel abuses are and how it is really hard to distinguish who is being abused and who isn’t. The people being abused are so scared for their life, and how much they keep it to themselves because of the threats the abuser puts upon them. John doesn’t deserve it, nobody deserves it. This book is very sad, but yet very moving!
John is only 14 years old and he is in middle school. He doesn’t have many friends and he keeps to himself most of the time. He is in band and plays the tuba, only because he needs an extra curricular activity not because he thinks he’s at all good. Although, he is actually good and even earns a solo in a song written by the band instructor himself! You learn about the normal drama that happens in school, how confusing girls can be. And just go through a normal life of a teenage boy. Except it isn’t at all normal. How so you ask? You will have to read to find out!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes excitement and books that they cannot put down. You don’t know me is definitely a page-turner and an easy and fast read! I would give it 4 out of 5 stars!

A Wind in the Door

Submitted by Shabana Basha

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle (1973) 211 pages.

“There are dragons in the twins' garden. Or there were. They’ve moved to the north pasture now.” The second book about the Murry family, A Wind in the Door is about Charles Wallace, Meg’s youngest brother, who becomes really ill. Also he claims to see things in his garden such as dragons. With the adventure of getting better, along with Meg and Calvin O’Keefe, it will take them out into galactic space and then into the unimaginably small world of the mitochondrion.

My feelings throughout this book were hopeful, suspense, anxious, unhappy, and worried. This book is perfect for me because I love mystery/science/suspense books. I have already read A Wrinkle in Time and just loved it.

Another thing that I really find interesting in L’Engle’s books is that some of the science in this book is really cool. It talks about space, galaxies, all the way to mitochondria. I pick up little details, and later look them up on the Internet to learn something new.
Also, my opinions of this aren’t negative at all. I agree with everything that L’Engle wrote.

You may be interested to know:
This book is science fiction
Charles – 7 is really intelligent, Meg – 14 is vulnerable, Calvin – 16 is caring and brave.
Takes place in the U.S in present day.
The author’s style is great; vivid imagery, explains everything. The point of view is first person.
I absolutely love this book! I really like reading books and science fiction is one of my favorite genres. I think the author did a great job of writing this book.
* * * * * (five stars)

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