Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Chronicle of a Death Foretold is the tale of a narrator as he goes around his old town, uncovering more details about the murder of Santiago Nasar, a victim who was killed of a crime he might not have committed, and faced a brutal attack the whole town was capable of preventing.
For those of you who have not yet read this very popular short book, it is especially recognized because of the completely different approach Marquez takes to storytelling. From the beginning, readers already know who the victim is, and who stabbed him. Yet the question remains of who is truly guilty for the events which occurred. As the plot goes on, we learn the motives of each of the characters, and what role they played in the crime. Everyone in the town knew the murder would take place before it did, yet nothing was done to stop it. This provides fascinating insight (and kind of a commentary) on the bystander effect. I am almost certain this is why schools make students read this.
The unique and fascinating approach Marquez uses makes this book worth reading, and the plot itself isn't bad either. The delivery at times is confusing, so I especially emphasize the importance to carefully read the whole book. It is very short, but still a good read.
I rate this book a 7.5/10 for the great writing.
~Mushu

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

For those of you who have read, The Book Thief, you're probably already familiar with Markus Zusak. I haven't read it myself, but after reading this novel, any book by Zusak has definitely made my list.
I am the Messenger is the story of Ed, a simple underage taxi driver with a simple life. However, the day he unintentionally stops a bank robbery, his life begins to take a new course. He receives the first ace in the mail. The aces lead Ed around town, helping strangers and changing their lives. But who's sending Ed on these missions? ...And why would they choose him?
This book was intricate, complex, and beautifully put together. I didn't even slightly expect the ending, and I wasn't at all disappointed. The missions Ed undergoes will touch or break your heart. It's very much a "feel good" sort of book.
I want to say there was some magic realism in play, but I'm not sure if that's the right phrase. The entire novel is mostly realistic fiction, but the ending is mind-blowing and (probably?) not possible. I love that I am the Messenger makes you really think.
I'd suggest this book to anyone, unless you are looking for a simpler read because this book is anything but. It also may be best suited for more mature audiences.
I'd rate this book a 10/10
~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

Night by Elie Wiesel

 Night is the story of Elie Wiesel, a boy who survives the Holocaust, but loses everything he cares about in the process.

I read this novel for school and it was obviously very well written. Learning about the Holocaust from a textbook is one thing, but hearing someone's personal story is entirely different. It was both enlightening and horrifying to read all the details of despair and loss of humanity. The ending was hauntingly sad, but Wiesel has written more books about finding his way again.

I suggest this to people who would like to learn more about the Holocaust. If you have to read this for school, I assure you that you won't be bored out of your mind.

I rate it a 9/10

~Mushu

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

I really liked this book. It was different. We got it from some family friends that know the author or something like that.

This is a book about Hattie. Hattie no longer has any parents and has lived her entire life moving around from one distant relative to another when they decide they no longer want her. One day she receives a letter in the mail from her Uncle who she has never met before and has recently past. He has left his plot of land under her name and if she chooses, she may go and try to own up to his claim in the time left on the claim. She decides to go. Life in Montana is different and challenging but hey, it's Hattie's life and she gets to live it however she so chooses.

I really liked this story which is about a real girl named Hattie. The entire time I read this book I thought Hattie was pronounced Hay-tee not Hat-tee and I mentioned it to my sister and she laughed at me.. Anyways it's a good book. People who like really rich plots might not be as interested because it's good and it has a good plot but it's also about a real girl so it goes at real life pace rather than super fast like book drama always goes.  I would probably recommend this book to someone who likes historical books and realistic books.

I would rate this book an 8.5/10 because it was really good but like I've already mentioned, it was at real life pace with is kind of slow and it's about real life things so there weren't like 10 million different sub-plots. Although I did cry the last 3 or so chapters, just heads up...

-Flounder

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

I just finished this book and I totally loved it! I couldn't put it down at all!

This is a book about a girl, Maia, who's parents have both died so she's sent to Manaus, Brazil to live with her distant family, the Carters, who are horrible people only wanting Maia for the fortune her parents had left her. Amidst all the horribleness of life with the Carters, Maia makes many friends including a child actor wishing of nothing but to return home, a mysterious Indian boy, and her governess.

I would recommend this book to anyone really interested in adventure. I'm such a romantic that even though this book doesn't really have any major or obvious romance, I kind of imagined it so I guess this would be good for romantic's as well. This is definitely a Cinderella type book, like not exactly but there's the character of the evil step mother and the step daughters, just not at all in the same sense. Read it to understand. I think everyone should really read this book, it was amazingly good.

I would rate this book 10/10 because I really can't think of anything wrong with it. I just kept reading and reading not wanting it to ever be over. Definitely read this book.

-Flounder

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

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

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

I read this book on Tuesday when I was sick and stayed home from school. I have to say that it's different from a lot of the books I read and review. This book was a Pura Belpré Award Winner, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner, a WIlla Catner Award Winner, an ALA Top Ten BEst Books for Young Adults, Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist and even more. So as you can see, this is a very good book.

This is a book about a girl name Esperanza who lives in Mexico with her mom, dad and Abuelita (grandmother) on their ranch. For reasons I won't tell you so as not to completely spoil the book, Esperanza and her mother have to escape Mexico with one of their servant's family and flee to California. This book is about Esperanza and her struggles adjusting to life on a Mexican labor camp.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about true issues and books about teenagers and struggles, not just about rich white girl troubles but about real people.

 Although this book won many awards, I would rate this book an 8.5/10 because I wasn't really very captured in the beginning of the book although once I got into it it started to get really good. Often times I was mad at Esperanza because she kept complaining and being rude although in her position I can understand how she would be very confused. Also, I got really attached to the character Miguel.

-Flounder

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it two summers ago at my grandmothers house on her swing. The book is kind of short but I really enjoyed it. The book didn't go flat out to tell you what was going on, instead you had to wait until the end of the book to really fully understand what was happening.

I would recommend this to people who are looking for a short read and a plot that will keep you wondering.

I would rate this book a 8.9 out of 10 because it was short and sweet but could have been really good if it were longer as well.

-Flounder