January 31, 2008
THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE by Rodman Philbrick
THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE by Rodman Philbrick is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure! I enjoyed this book. It was real exciting and Philbrick's perception of the future is one of the most believable I've ever read about! It's about a teenage boy named Spaz who is an outcast in the Urb on a journey to save his sister. He is assisted by Ryter an elderly man who's prized possession is a book that he's been writing. In his adventures he goes from latch to latch (county to county) and meets some of the most feared gang leaders in the Urb.
I RECOMMENDED IT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FICTION FANS AND EVEN MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WHO LOVE AN EXCITING BOOK.
Rita Rozen
Grade 7
W. Tresper Clarke Middle School
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:45 AM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2007
BLUE HERON by Avi
What is magic really for? Avi will tell you in BLUE HERON.
As Maggie approaches her thirteenth birthday, she wants to believe that some kind of magic can stop all the changes in her life. She is going to visit her father and his new family at a lakeside cabin in Providence, Rhode Island. During the trip, Maggie fears that her father would love his new daughter more than herself. When Maggie comes to visit him, she finds him troubled and withdrawn. But his father says that nothing is wrong with him, which makes Maggie worry even more. Alone with her secret thoughts, Maggie secretly finds comfort from a beautiful blue heron that constantly comes to the lakeside in the mornings. With each visit Maggie grows more attached to this bird, but has a sense of feeling that someone out there is plotting to harm this lovely creature. In her determination to protect the blue heron, Maggie understands the magic of change in her own life and the changes going on around her.
Stephanie Zhang
Grade 8
WT Clarke Middle School
Posted by fjacksonem at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
October 2, 2007
HITCH by Jeanette Ingold
HITCH by Jeanette Ingold is historical fiction with universal themes.
The Great Depression had struck Moss Trawnley, a seventeen-year-old janitor at Muddy Springs Airport. He was just fired from his job and now Moss was jobless and homeless. His father left to get a job at WPA and hadn’t returned for two years. Moss needed to get his father back to have him support his mom and siblings in Spanish Creek, Louisiana. After many attempts Moss found his father without a home or job. He turned into a drunken hobo. Moss realized his father was useless to bring home so Moss decided to find a decent job at CCC (President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conversation Corps). At least he will have food and a shelter. While the trip to Monroe, Montana, he was able to make new friends such as Nate, Sam and Apple. As soon as Moss was enrolled, they were assigned to a new project. As Moss worked harder, he learned to take action faster and better. After all Moss’s hard work and determination he earned himself a great future and a good life.
This is a must read book!! If you like a realistic fiction then you should definitely read this novel.
Stephanie Zhang
Grade 8
WT Clarke Middle School
Posted by fjacksonem at 3:06 PM | Comments (0)
August 1, 2007
FOR FREEDOM: THE STORY OF A FRENCH SPY by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
FOR FREEDOM is a about a teenage girl named Suzanne, who is a singer. Suzanne is experiencing living during a war. She is living around the time of 1940.
The Germans have invaded her city of Cherbourg . Due to the invasion; a bomb is dropped on Cherbourg and silences her friend Yvette permanently. Suzanne herself is hurt and goes to the doctor. Soon after the accident everyones' homes on the street are invaded by Germans, accept Dr.Leclerc’s house. Suzanne and her family have to find another home.
For Suzanne singing lessons were very tight because of the war, but Suzanne gets a leading part in an opera. As Suzanne keeps on going to her doctor, he sees a quality in her that is worthy of the job he needs someone to do. Dr.Leclerc is a spy and he asks Suzanne to become a spy as well. She will carry messages to different spies. The Spies don’t call each other by their names but only by numbers. There are 22 spies in all of France . The Germans find out that Suzanne is a spy, so she is thrown in jail, but she escapes. When Suzanne gets out of jail, she knows that number 16 and herself, number 22, are the only spies left alive in all of France . They killed everyone else including Dr.Leclerc and his family, who were also spies.
Thanks to Suzanne and her strong will power she gives America and England a chance of fighting the Germans. She becomes a French hero. This is the story, FOR FREEDOM: THE STORY OF A FRENCH SPY by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE FROM THE 5TH GRADE ON UP WILL ENJOY READING THIS PAGE-TURNER. This is a historical fiction book that really touches the heart.
Tharshana Chandrakumar
Woodland Middle School
Grade 7
Posted by fjacksonem at 8:13 AM | Comments (2)
May 15, 2007
SEMIPRECIOUS
SEMIPRECIOUS by D. Anne Love was a very touching book. In the book, Garnet’s mother decides to pursue her dream of becoming famous, but ends up dumping her two children, Opal and Garnet, with her sister. At first, the sister’s are very upset about leaving Mirabeau, Texas, and going to Willow Flat’s, Texas. Their mother’s sister is poor, and the lifestyle is very different then they are used to. Garnet’s sister instantly becomes popular, but it’s harder for Garnet. During her time in Willow Flats, she discovers that her mother isn’t really cut out for being a mother, and that she can find family in the most unexpected places. By the end of the book, Garnet and Opal are going to return with their father to Mirabeau, and Garnet is finally accepting on who she is, and who has made her that way.
I RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE IN GRADES 6 TO 8.
Alison Verderber
Grade 8
Kellenberg Memorial Latin School
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
May 1, 2007
A LOOK AT GRAPHIC NOVELS
Alex Zuckerman, a senior at East Meadow High School, did his community service internship at the East Meadow Public LIbrary. Alex is interested in filmmaking, including anime. Unfortunately our anime collection is very small, so I asked Alex to review some of the titles in our graphic novel collection.
WAR OF THE WORLDS by Stephen Stern and Arne Starr
The graphic novel is only slightly better then the movie, because Tom Cruse isn’t in it. What more can I say but if you like pointless action sequences that are only running away scenes and really bad artwork, then be my guest and pick this one up today. The real thing that got me mad, was the ending made no sense. Thanks to the bad art work, you can’t tell what’s going on in the story because it looks like the illustrator took a nap as they were drawing this piece of garbage. Now don’t get me wrong, the original book is great but this one isn’t.
CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON by Wang Du Lu and Andy Seto
This one is a great choice to read. If you like the movie then you’ll like the book too. With detailed art work, color and story line this one is a must read.
JU-ON 2 by Takashi Shimizu and MEIMU
Just like the Sarah Michelle Gellar movie this graphic novel is really bad. The art work is atrocious at best and uninteresting. The original movie version from Japan is well written, acted and well thought out, certainly not like this graphic novel. The graphic novel is based on the Japanese movie but with really poor art work. This version it is just a pathetic attempt at a once good movie.
WAR CRAFT: THE SUNWELL TRILOGY by Richard Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim
Well written story line, art work and based on one of the best video games ever, This is a must read. The only bad thing about it is that the mane character hair is so ugly that it makes it look like a mop is on his head.
MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by Gary Reed and Frazer Living
One of the best graphic novels the Library has to offer. It’s an adapted version of the Mary Shelley’s book. With its detail art work, classic story and its look into the world of true horror, this one isn’t just a must read, it’s a must own as well.
FLIGHT VOLUME 1
Flight is a beautiful graphic novel that is a mixture of short stories that all have a different art style to each of them. The stories are for all ages. It is a must read.
WONDER WOMAN: LAND OF THE DEAD by Greg Rucka and Geoff Johns
This is one of the best graphic novels the Library has to offer. It is so well written that I take this graphic novel out all the time. I strongly recommend this one.
NORTH COUNTRY by Shane White
This book is not based on the movie. This is truly one of the best graphic novels ever made. It’s about a man going back to visit his childhood home and on the plane ride there he thinks about all of the bad things that happened to him there. He was beaten by his drunken Dad, he tried to kill himself and likes to pretend that he is a comic book character. The best part about this book is that it’s not all talking. There’s a shoot-out, a motorcycle accident and a suicide. I strongly recommend this graphic novel to everyone. It’s meant for older readers.
ROBIN: TO KILL A BIRD by Bill Willingham and Damion Scott
This graphic novel is about Robin fighting the penguin’s evil plan to rule Gotham city. If you like Batman then why not pick this one up.
GALAX ANGEL BETA by Kanan
If you’re a fan of Asian stereotypes then this is the one for you. It has girls in bikinis, something to do with space and a bazaar plot. If that sounds like something you like, then you should pick it up today, but I won’t.
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST by Hiroumu Arakawa
In all honesty, I found this to be very boring. Here’s why. It said on the back that it’s supposed to be non-stop action but for me it was non-stop boredom and the background art is just bland, no detail at all.
Alex Zuckerman
Grade 12
East Meadow High School
Posted by fjacksonem at 1:53 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2007
TWELVE
TWELVE by Lauren Myracle is about a girl who is going into 7th grade. She deals with problems like going through puberty, boys, embarrassing family moments, starting junior high, and friendship. She has to deal with her mother trying to bring her bra shopping, getting her period before a pool party, and crushing on a guy in the grade above her.
For me, it was hard to relate to this book. I’m going into 9th grade next year, and I have already experienced the things that she goes through. But, I can remember certain things happening when I was going into middle school.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR GIRLS GOING INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL IN GRADES 6 OR 7.
Alison Verderber
Grade 8
Kellenberg Memorial Latin School
NOTE FROM MRS. JACKSON: I asked Alison to review this title. If anyone would like to review a book, but are unsure what to pick, please do not hesitate to talk with me. I am certain there is a book in need of a review. Please email me at fjacksonem@eastmeadow.info or call me at 516 794-2570 extension 237.
Posted by fjacksonem at 1:48 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2007
MAXIMUM RIDE 3: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS
This is the 3rd book in the very awesome series, MAXIMUM RIDE, written by James Patterson , who has just become my favorite author. After reading this book I finally figured out why Patterson has become the #1 selling adult author. The series is about a “family” of human avians AKA birdkids. The flock, which includes Max, Fang, Gasman, Iggy, Nudge, Angel, and her trusty companion Total (who is a talking dog) Throughout the series Max and the rest of the flock must fight Erasers (which are wolf + human mutants) daily, avoid being captured the scientist who created them, and save the world, all while trying to find their real parents. Sounds like fun doesn’t it ! Even though I thought that the 3rd book was the best I suggest you read the books in order because the second book reveals things about the first and the third about both of the first 2. Also Patterson promised that if 1 million kids went on the maximum ride website he would write a 4th book to the series . so go to MAXIMUM RIDE and click on the “million clicks for Max” button and help keep these books coming.
I RECOMMEND THESE BOOKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS A GOOD ADVENTURE STORY.
Bobby Mazziotti
7th Grade
Bro. Joseph Fox Latin School
NOTE FROM MRS. JACKSON: MAXIMUM RIDE 3: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS has not been published at this blogging. Bobby read the book as an Advanced Reader's Copy, because he loves the series. Take Bobby's suggestion read MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT first and then MAXIMUM RIDE: SCHOOL'S OUT--FOREVER.
If you are interested in reviewing books, please email Mrs. Jackson at fjackson@eastmeadow.info.
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:04 AM | Comments (3)
March 19, 2007
LAUGH TILL YOU CRY by Joan Lowery Nixon
Do you have a class clown in your class? Or at least someone in your class that can make you laugh a lot. LAUGH TILL YOU CRY is the story of a boy named Cody who likes to make jokes. Cody moves next-door to his cousin to help his sick grandmother. When his cousin and his cousin’s friends decide to pick on Cody. Cody’s life turns into a living nightmare. But one day after running away from his cousin and his friends he runs into a police officer who doesn’t mind his jokes and is willing to pay money for them.
His life begins to brighten up. But things begin to turn ugly when Cody is blamed and framed for a prank call about a bomb to his school. Fellow classmates begin to look at him suspiciously. After he is framed with another call to the school. Life keeps getting worse. I mean how couldn’t it. He has a report on Shakespeare’s Hamlet due when he can barely understand it and people look at him like he’s a troublemaker when he’s really not. And to top it off he has to deal with his cousin and his friends. Who’s been setting him up? And why does his cousin have baking flour in his closet? Find out by reading LAUGH TILL YOU CRY by Joan Lowery Nixon.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BOOK TO ANYONE IN 6TH GRADE AND UP AND ANYONE WHO HAS READ ANY OF JOAN LOWERY NIXON'S OTHER BOOKS.
Camille Deytiquez
Grade 7
W. T. Clarke Middle School
Posted by fjacksonem at 1:59 PM | Comments (1)
March 15, 2007
SCARLETT by Cathy Cassidy
SCARLETT by Cathy Cassidy
Scarlett is a twelve year old trouble maker. She has been kicked out of four schools in two years. But with her ketchup dyed hair and black fingernails, and tongue piercing, its what’s expected from her. Finally, as a last resort, her mother sends her to Ireland to live with her father. At first, Scarlett aches for London, but with the help of a mysterious boy, Kian, his horse, and her new family, Scarlett will finally find who she really is and where she belongs.
When Scarlett arrives at her father’s house in Ireland, she thinks that it’s the worst place ever. All country, a little step-sister, and another on the way, courtesy of Clare, the woman who stole her father away. After a few (hilarious) incidents, Scarlett realizes that she loves these people, and that she needs to try harder, for everyone’s sake. She learns what a family truly is, and once she puts aside her own anger, more importantly, she finds out who her family truly is.
RECOMMENDED FOR GIRLS IN GRADES 6 TO 8.
Alison Verderber
Grade 8
Kellenberg Memorial Latin School
Posted by fjacksonem at 8:01 AM | Comments (1)
February 9, 2007
MARIE, DANCING by Carolyn Meyer
Have you ever seen a ballerina dance? If you have, you would most likely think at the time: “Wow, isn’t she talented!” or “ What he just did was amazing”. People usually don’t think about the hard work dancers have to do to be able to do what you see. The book MARIE, DANCING by: Carolyn Meyer portrays the historical fiction story of Marie Van Goethem who modeled for Edgar Degas’s sculpture, “The Little Dancer”.
In the book, Marie is a student at the Paris Opéra ballet school struggling in poverty. To Marie, dancing is the only joy in her life. Before her father dies, he makes her promise to keep the family together. Without a father Marie finds life a lot harder than before. Her mother is an alcoholic, her older sister is selfish and she has a younger sister that she has to take care of. Follow the story of a young dancer struggling poverty and life through Marie.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BOOK FOR GRADES 7-10 and anyone who has read some of Carolyn Meyer’s other books such as DOOMED, QUEEN ANNE, LOVING WILL SHAKESPEARE, and PATIENCE, PRINCESS CATHERINE.
Camille Deytiquez
Grade: 7
School: W.T. Clarke Middle School
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:01 AM | Comments (1)
August 18, 2006
NORTH by Donna Jo Napoli
In this book Alvin, a twelve year old boy is the main character. I'd say the most interesting part of the story occurs when, Alvin's mother forbids him to go anywhere without his "nanny". She would always escort him everywhere. His mother did not allow him to have any freedom. At one point in the story, Alvin thinks that his mother has gone too far and he runs away from home, to retrace the steps of his greatest hero, Matthew Henson.
Throughout his journey Alvin must face trials, tribulations and hardships to understand and find himself.
I enjoyed this book because it could actually happen to anyone and I hope you do too. If you are one of those people who liked the Gary Paulsen books, about, Brian, you will probably love this story as well.
Alan Alex
Grade: 7
Posted by fjacksonem at 2:28 PM | Comments (0)