Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Hollow City is the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I highly recommend reading that first book, and then this one. The summary includes spoilers! You have been warned.
The children travel to the mainland, in search of help to turn Miss Peregrine human again. With their loop destroyed, the wights and hollowgast are intent on stopping them, and stealing Miss Peregrine back. The peculiars will find new loops and allies, and learn more than they'd ever want about what the wights are planning.
Although I have failed to give a summary worthy of this book's greatness, you should most definitely read this series. Riggs continues to create literary perfection and provides a plethora of creepy photographs. I thought this book was even more thrilling than the first one as the adventure continues and new secrets are unfolded. The ending leaves you eager for more, and I promise there's going to be a review on book three posted- as soon as it comes out.
I'd rate this book 10/10
~Mushu

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I swear I've written a review for this book before... but I can't find it so here we go.
Jacob Portman spent his childhood listening to his grandfather's fantastical stories about his life in Miss Peregrine's home during World War 2, accompanied by even more amazing photos. When Jacob stumbles upon his grandfather's sudden death, however, it seems these tales were anything but fantasies. He then must go on a journey to uncover the truth behind Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children- and it may lead to more than one boy can handle.
I read this book a while ago, but I remember clearly the events. Riggs is an excellent author and manages to beautifully create the eerie setting and take you completely into this world. There's a complex plot, a little bit of romance, and genuine characters. Included in the novel are several real photos Riggs collected that the story relates to. It's the first book in the series so it's not as action packed as what will come, but it's still very good. I highly recommend it. Also there is a graphic novel version by Cassandra Jean. It follows the novel nicely so I'd recommend it too.
I rate this book a 9.5/10
~Mushu

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

 The Kite Runner is the story of a young Pashtun boy living in Afghanistan. Amir lives a good life with his best friend and Hazara servant, Hassan. Despite facing minor hardships such as bullies and aching for his father's attention, everything starts out peaceful. However, one horrible even changes Amir's life forever and a new guilt rests upon his shoulders. Kite Runner is the story of truth, family, and Amir's path to seeking redemption. As the story progresses, the events with the war in Afghanistan and the Taliban occur as well.

I thought this book was very well written with a captivating plot. There were also many meaningful topics and symbols addressed throughout. The ending could be seen as cliché or predictable, but I thought it was fine- and it's only the end after all. My only protest is that I found the main character to be absolutely despicable. He does one terrible thing after another and his personality certainly isn't admirable. But things get better and of course, if Amir didn't act the way he did, The Kite Runner would have a very different plot.

I'd suggest this book to anyone who has an interest in learning more about Afghanistan during this time period- the book goes from about 1975 to 2001.

I'll rate the book 8/10

~Mushu

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

This was half-intersting, and half-boring. I'm also kind of sick of it from doing so many homework assignments on this book- but that's just me. It's not exactly my type of book, and yeah...
Henry Lee is one of many people who carry heavy memories from the war years. One day he passes the Panama Hotel, a place he hadn't gone to in a long time. That's when he hears someone just discovered the belongings of Japanese families hidden away during World War 2. Upon hearing the news, Henry remembers when he was just a boy, and the special relationship he had with a little Japanese girl- Keiko Okabe. This book tells Henry's story as a twelve-year old boy and his story so many years later. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet portrays love, hardships, and it teaches how some connections never die.
This was suprisingly a lot better than I thought, but still not the best book ever. I would have liked if the ending added more closure. The writing and descriptions was excellent so it doesn't bore one to death.
I'd recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, or maybe has an interest in World War 2.
I'll rate this book a 7/10
~Mushu
P.S. And we're back from the (super long) hiatus! Maybe. Our sincerest apologies- life has just been really hectic

Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

This book is about the foundations of human history, specifically trying to answer this question: Why have the white people developed so much cargo, while the black people have so little of their own?
I believe the main theme, what the author believes as the answer, is that advantages are because of the geography, not due to race or intelligence.
Honestly, this book isn't exactly one you'd read for fun. It is very factual and at times really interesting, but  still boring- like reading a textbook.
This is typically a book which would be read for school or for academic purposes.
The overall book was factual and well written, but I didn't LIKE it, so I rate it a 5/10
~Mushu

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Impossible is an amazing book about a girl named Lucy who finds that the women in her family are cursed. They must try to complete three seemingly impossible tasks or they go mad when their child is born. Except this time, Lucy won't be alone trying to complete these tasks. While the others were alone, Lucy recieves help from Zach, this totally awesome guy and her fantastic foster parents.
This book was well-written with such an awesome plot. The overall ending was predictable, but how they solved the problems and how the little loose ends were tied up, that was unexpected. The ending was actually very clever.
There's one scene that's a little too mature for like, kids, but otherwise it's good. I'm not sure, since I read this a while ago. By a while ago, I mean a long time ago. Yet I still remember everything! Which means it really is awesome.
I LOVE THIS BOOK! It was seriously one of the best and you will never regret reading it!! I was hooked the whole way through. So seriously. Read it. Please.
The book is kind of a fantasy, but not overly fantastical. Like, there's an other world and curses and all that, but there's still the world as we know it.
So I highly suggest this book to everyone. And I'll rate the book 10/10
~Mushu

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

I was probably half way through this book and completely bored when my friend told me it was a true story and I was suddenly more interested. Let me just clear that up right now, it's not a true story. But it is pretty great. It took me two or three days to finish.

This is a book about a boy who's on a small plane with only the pilot for company. Well, to wrap up the first 30 pages or so, the driver dies, the plane crashes and the boy is stranded in the middle of nowhere. This is the story of how he adapts. 

I would recommend this book to people who like to camp or are interested in things which have to do with the woods and survival because that is much of what this has to do with. 

I would probably rate this book a 6.5/10. The only reason I kept reading it is so that I could review it. The ending was pretty good but for a long section of the book nothing really interesting happens. I guess that's all...

-Flounder

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I'm sure you've all read this. People have always asked me: "Gale or Peeta?" and I've never understood, now I finally do and I have to answer that with "Peeta, beyond doubt!" I've been meaning to read this book for a while but my dad lost the book for a while so I couldn't start it. Plus the movie's coming out and I really want to see it but I don't want to see it before I read the book. Anyways, my mom found it in our library Thursday and so I started it then and on Friday I was done. I'm already over half way into the second book. :D

This is a book about a girl named Katniss who is living in District 12 of the country Panem. Every year on reaping day a name is drawn from two bowls - one with girls's names and one with the boy's all ages 12-18. This happens in all 12 districts. The person who's name is drawn is forced to participate in The Hunger Games. The 24 contestants are placed in an arena where they fight until only one remains. Prim, Katniss's little sister, gets drawn from the girls bowl and Katniss instantly takes her place, knowing that Prim would never be able to survive. This is the story of The Hunger Games.

I have to say, this is a wonderful book. I ended up crying every chapter, if not more. This book sent many different emotions soaring through me. At the end, I was upset with some characters and I cried for nearly an hour wanting to have the second book next to me to I can read it now. Any of you going to go see the movie? I certainly am!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action, adventure and romance. It's a gory topic but if you don't pay too much attention, it's really easy to not notice. You should totally read this book if you haven't already.

I would give this book a rating of 10/10 because although it made me cry and made me very angry, it was a fabulous book.

-Flounder

Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Well... I was looking forward to this book, I've just finished it and... wow. Sad. It's not the last book. Darn. How I'd rate this whole series... is going down. I'm not exactly thrilled with the House of Night anymore. But when I rate this, I'll rate the book. Not the series. Though for the series, I'd rate it 6.25/10

I'm constantly shocked at the amazing writing ability the Casts have. They can write like, half a book, and it seems like nothing happened (of course, something did- but yeah). I just love how well they write, but I'm not sure I'm liking their plots anymore. First of all: ew. The bad guy is together with a bull. There's also a bunch of other disturbing romances. Maybe just not my age? But some of them are so weird.
Compared to the more recent books, I'm very happy with how Destined turned out. Some of the problems are being tied up, bad guys are turning out good, the truly bad ones are being found out- I'm very happy.
*Alright, SPOILER ALERT(the summary): Zoey and the Nerd Herd are finally settling down- kind of- and now Zoey's preparing to face off with Neferet, while dealing with the recent death of her mother. All around her, everyone seems to be experiencing their own problems too. Rephaim must turn away from his own father and make sure he stays with good, Stark has major troubles sleeping, the Twins aren't getting along, and Stevie Rae's more than a little protective of Rephaim. And there's still more...* END OF SPOILER
I'll recommend this to mature people and those who've read the rest of the series.
I rate this book a 8.3/10
~Mushu

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very emotional in the sad way yet there were still moments that would make me laugh out loud. The beginning of the book was not the most grabbing book I had ever read but my sister had told me that she loved it and she said it was probably one of the best books she had ever read so I was motivated to keep reading. About 1/3 through the book, it started to really grab a hold of my attention and I have rarely been able to put the book down for the past few days.

This is a book about a woman named Alice. She is a Harvard Professor who would give stunning lectures on language and psychology. She lives with her husband and they have three children, all in their 20s - 30s: Anna, is their oldest daughter, married to a man named Charlie; Tom, their only son, and middle child; and Lydia, their youngest daughter who hasn't yet gone to college but has started her career in acting. Something is wrong with the way things are and the way Alice feels so she visits a doctor. It turns out she has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This book tells the story of Alice and how her children, her husband, her work, and most importantly, herself, live with the knowledge and the hardship of Alzheimer's disease.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It's more of a mature book so older middle school students to high school students and up. It's also a New York Times Bestseller.

I would rate this book a 9.1 out of 10 because I really liked it but the beginning was not the most grabbing and it was a very sad emotional book.

-Flounder

Diary of a wimpy kid #3: The Last Straw

This is the third book in the series.

This book is more of focused on Greg's father and how he really wants to shape and mold Greg to be different and in better shape, etc.

I guess I would recommend this book to elementary school children and middle school students because it's a fun type of book to read with the cartoons and the fun font. But also because it has a relation to their lives. They probably would understand how this guy is feeling more than an adult would.

I would have to rate this book a 7.89 out of 10 because (1) that's a cool looking number, (2) it was fun to read but (3) it didn't exactly have a fantastic plot but (4) I still did like the plot, therefore I'm rating it 7.89 out of 10

-Flounder

Diary of a Wimpy kid #2: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney

This is the second book in the series. In my opinion you don't really have to read the first book to understand the second one because they both start out with the same kind of explanation, the first book is a little bit more detailed but whatever.

I guess I enjoyed this book because I read it and the 1st, 3rd, and 4th all in one afternoon. Which also goes to show that they're kind of easy reads.

I think I would recommend someone who likes to read books with pictures and dairy-type books and probably middle school students and elementary school students, too, because this sort of relates to their lives. Also, if you're bored and you want something interesting to do, I think this is a good book to read because the style of font used and the pictures make it a more interesting read.

I think I would rate this book a 6.4567 out of 10 because it wasn't fantastic, but I did enjoy it and it wasn't bad or anything like that.

-Flounder

Diary of a Wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney

This is a story of a kid named Greg Heffley. This is his "journal" which tells of his life in middle school. I think that this book it fun for people to read because it's written in a fun font and it has pictures. Also, it's fun to read about kids who are also in middle school and have similar to worse problems.

I guess I would recommend this middle school students because they may think it's a fun read for the reasons I just listed.

I guess I would rate this book a 7 out of 10 because it's fun to read and I read it all in one day, but also, it wasn't exactly the most exciting book ever.

-Flounder

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

This is the fourth book in the series. This book takes place during the summer when (spoiler alert!!!!!!) Greg's family gets a dog. 

Just like all the other books in this series, I would recommend this book to a 5th - 8th grader because they can relate to it the best. Also, the font and cartoon style are fun and enjoyable to read. It's not a difficult read, just a heads up on that one.

I guess I would rate this book a 7 our of 10 because it was good but not like my all-time favorite or anything and it didn't leave me with this emotion or feel or anything like books really should.

-Flounder

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

LOVED this book. It was amazing but I was pretty darned dissapointed at some points. The writing, plot, all that was amazing too but... well, like, half of the book just seemed to be dragging out how weird the main character is. And the ending, it leaves you wanting to read the second book which is normal, but the ending should have at least been decent! It was more like... The end of a chapter. Augh.
Even so, I loved it, the plot was kind of thick though and confused me a little.
Starcrossed is about this girl, Helen, who turns out to be extremely involved with the Greek gods, mythology, those kind of things. The fates have plenty of problems planned for her and her loved ones and she has to change that.
Highly recommend to people who like mythology, romance, family, little bit of adventure, and more!
I rate this book 9.5/10
-Mushu

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I just spent most of the afternoon reading the last 200 pages of this book. It is wonderfully written and not the type of book that you can get bored in. When you're reading this book you get so focused on the current perspective and what's going on in that persons life that when the narrator switches you're disappointed that you have to leave the current narrator and their person life yet you're excited to finally be hearing about the next narrators personal life again. I highly recommend this book.

I would recommend this book especially to people who like to read realistic historical fiction books and to people who like to read the book that a movie was based on before they watch the movie.

On a scale from one to ten, with ten being the best, I would rate this book an eleven.

-Flounder

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson

Wonderful story. You will be captured 'till the end! This story tells about the beginning of Peter Pan. I was captured by the plot the entire time and was curious to how it would all tie together in the end. I was on vacation while reading this book and I was so captured that I read at every chance I got. When I finished the book I wanted to read the second so bad that I went to a bookstore and ended up buying the whole series!

I would recommend reading this book if you like to read fantasy and/or action novels.

On a scale from one to ten with ten being the best, I would rate this ten or higher!

-Flounder

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

We'll Always Have Summer is a third book in the Summer series and it's the last book. I sugest reading the first two before this one.
The first book is The Summer I Turned Pretty
The second book is It's Not Summer Without You
I really liked all three of these books, they were really good. It's about a girl, Belly and her life around the summer house. It's a romance I guess between her and this guy, Conrad. I can't tell you much of a detailed summery on the third book without ruining the first but I really reccommend it! I mainly reccomend this to those who love a sweet, undying romance.
I rate this book 9/10 :)
-Mushu

The House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristen Cast

Marked
Betrayed
Chosen
Untamed
Hunted
Tempted
Burned
Awakened
and the next book coming up November 2011: Destined
It's rumored that might be the last book! I reccomend it all! The book is based on vampyres (in this book it is spelled like that, NOT vampires) where turning into one is like... puberty. Hahahaha.... except if you don't make it, you die. I loved this series so I'll just do a review of them all. The thing is, the most recent books, tidbits of small, yet important things happen but it's all basically the same. "Oh no, bad guy on the loose! What to do... what to do...." etc. It's kind of boring me, like the authors are dragging out the story longer. I still love the series and can't wait for the next book to come out though and it should make an awesome read. It is a mature story though. I think it should be ages 14 and up.
Put together, I rate this whole series a 8.5/10
-Mushu