The Iliad by Homer

I read the book The Iliad , by Homer. He also has written the Odyssey. The recommended age is adult. This book is a master piece in literature. Homer’s unique writing style and his masterful craft for telling stories is remarkable. “ The Iliad is a classic tale of intrigue. The poet tells the great story of troy and it’s downfall.” said by unknown reader at borders website. The Argrives have traveled along way away to rescue Helen. An all out war is about to break lose between them and the Trojans. All because of one single woman. The war will lose countless lives and families will be ruined. So read to find out if this war will brake lose.

Recommended by Johnny Molony

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I’m reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Everything is different for Katniss Everdeen and Petta Malark since they won the hunger games. Her best friend is now a stranger. District 12’s new head peacekeeper has changed everything for worse. Whippings are now regular and the peacekeepers are in forcing the rules to a harsh standard. Even the president wants her head and new talks of uprisings in the districts has only made it worse. Katniss has only the winners tour to convince the world that she is madly in love with Petta or else she could her kiss her life and her family good bye. After all else fails. The president has something else planned for her. A task thought she would never have to do again. “In honor of the quarter quill victors from each district will play. Showing that even the strongest districts is nothing compared to the capitols power. They have to back to the arena”. That makes the old one seem like child’s play. With fiercer competitors and a stage that has the most horrifying traps planned for them. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good book with a twist in every chapter. New York times magazine says, “Collins has done that rare thing. She has written a sequel that improves upon the first book”.

Recommended by Johnny Molony

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I read Hate List by Jennifer Brown. It is about a girl named Valerie Leftman, a girl whose boyfriend was the shooter in a school shooting. He killed people from his and Valerie’s hate list, and then killed himself. Valerie didn’t know he was planning this, even though all the signs were there. She tried to stop him, and ended up getting shot in the leg trying to save someone who had teased her for years, and was on her hate list. Everyone reacted differently. Some people believed she was a hero, and other people believe that the shooting was all her idea. Either way, going back to school to finish her senior year is one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do. She will have to deal with her relationships with her family, former friends, and Jessica, the girl whose life she saved. Because of Valerie’s family problems, she has to deal with many of these issues only with the help of Dr. Hieler, her therapist. Dr. Hieler is one of my favorite characters in the book because he truly cares about Valerie. This book is about Valerie’s journey through this tragedy. Will Valerie ever move on with her life? Will she mend her relationships? Read to find out.
School Library Journal recommends this book for grade 8 and up, and that it is, "Startling, powerful, and poignant." Publishers Weekly says, "[A] riveting debut." I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this topic.

Recommended by Anne Marie Greenwood

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I read the book The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. This book is about 14 year old Susie Salmon, who has been killed. Susie narrates the book from heaven. It tells the story of how her death affected friends, family, and neighbors. Susie knows who killed her, but will her family ever find out?
Aimee Bender, author of An Invisible Sign of My Own, says, “The Lovely Bones is the kind of novel that, once you’re done, you may go visit while wandering through a bookstore and touch on the binding, just to remember the emotions you felt while reading it. Intensely wise and gorgeously written, The Lovely Bones is a heartbreaking page-turner. I envy the reader who is about to jump into the world of Susie Salmon and her incredible family.”
I would recommend this book to you if you like creepy and sorrowful books. With many twists, this book will keep you reading.

Recommended by Anne Marie Greenwood

I read the book The Lovely Bones by: Alice Sebold. It is about a girl named Susie Salmon who was murdered by a man named Mr. Harvey. She is telling her gruesome tale from her own place in heaven. An unknown reviewer on Amazon.com said, “The Lovely Bones is one of those books you can pick up and not want to put down again until you finish. At roughly 325 pages, this novel demands to be read on a plane, or on the beach, or when you have good chunks of time available to sit with it. Don't frustrate yourself by allowing a half hour here and there.This is one book that deserves its spot on the bestseller list.” My favorite line of the book is, “My name is Salmon, Susie Salmon. Like the fish.” and “Ways to kill a person is an old joke in heaven. I always chose the icicle because your weapon melts away.” The recommended reading age is: Teens-Young Adults.

Recommended by Lisa Greenwood

The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

The Uglies By Scott Westerfeld was a pretty good book, except for the beginning was boring. If you are a type of person that like the suspense to build up, then you should definately read this book. I will read the back.

“Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all.”

Will Tally ever turn pretty? Shay runs away, and makes Tally have to decide to turn on her friend, or never become pretty at all. This book is for a young adult, like us! I would suggest this book because it keeps you interesting after a rough spot in the first chapter or so, and because the ending of this book is very very good.

Recommended by Cole Otting

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

Point Blank, written by Anthony Hororwitz, is the second book in the Alex Rider series. This book is for kids between the ages of 10-14. I think this is a really good book and keeps you at the edge of your seat. ALA booklist says: Slambang action.

An investigation into a series of mysterious deaths leads agents to an elite prep school for rebellious kids, MI6 assigns Alex Rider to the case. Before he knows it, Alex is hanging out with the sons of the rich and powerful, and something feels wrong. These former juvenile delinquents have turned well-behaved, studious—and identical—overnight. It's up to Alex to find out who is masterminding this nefarious plot, before they find him.

This book is a little bit confusing, but at the end you will be very pleased-with a twist. One of my favorite quotes from this book is “And when I do rule the world, dear Alex, you will be eleminated!” Can Alex survive the school? Read the book to find out!

Recommended by Cole Otting

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

I read the book Where The Red Fern Grows by: Wilson Rawls. In the book Where The Red Fern Grows it’s about a boy and two dogs. I really liked this book because this is some thing i do. The boy named billy is like me enjoys to hunt coons. Quote "'I thought about that, Papa,' I said, 'but I made a bargain with my dogs. I told them that if they would put one in a tree, I'd do the rest. Well, they fulfilled their part of the bargain. Now it's up to me to do my part, and I'm going to, Papa. I'm going to cut it down. I don't care if it takes me a year.'" - Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows. I recommend this book for the ages of ten and older. He also wrote the Summer of the Monkeys. It takes place in the ranged dark hills and river bottoms of the wild country. The main part is about Billy and his dogs with his Grampa. The book is filled with, adventure, contests, fights, and death, After saving for two years Billy earns enough money to buy two hound pups, Ol'Dan and Li'l Ann. What do you think if you only made 50 dollars in two years and never spent any of it.

Back of Book: Billy, Old Dan and Little Ann -- a Boy and His Two Dogs...

A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains -- and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. And close by was the strange and wonderful power that's only found.

An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.