Dark Calling 04/16/2012
 
Dark Calling
By Jesse Perez

The book “Dark Calling” by Daren Shan is full of twist and turn everywhere that will make the reader want to read more. Dark Calling is the 9th book of the ten books in the Demonata Series. If you have read the previous book “Death’s Shadow”, you learn that while kernel is aboard the ship protecting the window, he mysteriously disappears. The book “Dark Calling” tells the adventure seeking answers about the shadow in Kernel’s 
point of view. When kernel restored his eyes he discovered he could see new patches of light he could have never seen before. He soon learns the new patches of light have been manipulating him. When kernel is alone guarding the window the lights begin to communicate with him, they insist he leaves his friend and step through the new window the patches of light created. The creature’s take him on a journey to the crux, the center of the universe, the place where life as kernel and his friends know it. Soon kernel discovers the patches of light were the original creatures of the universe along with the Demonata. The Ancient creatures have a higher calling for kernel; they want him to live forever and be the guardian of the ark. The ancient creature have brought all smart intelligence to a planet where they kernel can transport the whole planet, evading an attack from the Demonata. Kernel is given the decision to accept his calling or return to help his friends. What decision will kernel make?
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Unwind 04/16/2012
 
The book Unwind, Neal Shusterman, is the most interesting book I have ever read. The story takes place in a future where there has been a second civil war in the United States called the Heartland War. The war was about abortion and in result of this war Unwinding came to exist. Unwinding is an artificial abortion in which parents can “abort” they’re child from ages 7-17. When a child is unwound, they get every single one of their body parts and use them as transplants for people that need them. Yet the child does not die, they are kept alive in some way. This story revolves around different characters and their point of view. But the three main characters are Connor, Risa, and Lev. They are very different and try to survive with each other. Connor is being unwound because he is a trouble maker, Risa because there is no space for her at her StaHo home and Lev for religious reasons. Will they survive? Find out by reading the book.

-Manuel Lucero
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Truancy 04/16/2012
 
I recently read the book “Truancy” by Isamu Fukui. I must say that I enjoyed reading this book. The beginning was ok, but it seems that the more I read, the more I wanted to finish the book and learn what happens. This book takes place in a different society. The main character is Tack, a 15 year old high school student. The school he attends is very strict, where expulsion means literally the end of your life. Some students decided they did not want to deal with the schools so they formed a rebel group called the “Truancy” to bring change to the schools. The Truancy is at war with the mayor and his office. In this book Tack meets different people, learns different things and faces decisions that will change his life dramatically. I really recommend this book to anyone who is interested in books filled with a lot of action.


Salvador Robledo
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This simple, though touching book follows Bruno, an eight year old German boy, through his short-lived experiences during World War II. His father, a commander in the Nazi army, moves the family to a three story house in Poland where the concentration camps are held. Bruno an honest young boy has no clue to what is going on, across his window view in his room he see’s thousands of people in the same colored clothing, he studies them everyday. Bruno decides to go an adventure on the other side of his house; he discovers a huge fence that goes miles and miles far. As he walks down the fence, a young boy is seen on the other side of the fence. (A holocaust prisoner) Now the rest is for you to read. I recommend this book to anybody that wants to be inside of an 8 year old mind. This book is very touching and an amazing ending. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Francisco Jimenez
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Someone Like You 04/16/2012
 
Someone like You by Sarah Dessen will instantly catch the attention of those who love to read realistic fiction. In this book, during the period of a summer, Halley is transformed into someone else. She has dumped her boyfriend that her mom was so fond of and started becoming more rebellious. Halley is at camp when Scarlett calls to tell her that her boyfriend has been in a terrible motorcycle accident. Halley has always depended on Scarlett to be the strong one in their friendship but it takes a detour when Scarlett needs Halley to be the supportive one. After the funeral Scarlett introduces Halley to her deceased boyfriend best friend Macon. Halley is intrigued by Macon at first and is willing to do almost anything to make sure that their relationship survives the bumps in the road. But along the way Halley looses herself and she loses the sight of what is most important in her life. She starts lying more, sneaking out, and even starts writing notes for her mom to get out of school. Halley needs to start making tough decisions about her life, relationships, and school. This book will absolutely capture your attention from beginning to end. You will never guess the ending for Someone like You.


-Bravo, Stephanie
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The dairy of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney 


The dairy of a wimpy kid is one from the many others in the series. But if you want to get into this you probably want to start with this book first then read the rest. In the diary of a wimpy kid it is about a boy named Greg he is kid going threw high school as a hip kids would say a “swag less” kid. But eventually in his boring days of high school he finds another lame boy named Rowley and becomes his friend. As they go threw high school together they run into problems like getting chased by cars bullied and the biggest problem of them all the thing known as the cheese. The cheese is a big deal in this book. In the middle of this book Greg broke Rowley’s arm and Rowley got all the girls to talk to him or what the hip kids would say he has “swag“but along the way there was a part for the school comic that Rowley and Greg had to pick but Rowley stole the idea from Greg and they got mad at each other but then in the end they became friends again because they were making fun of Rowley. But the biggest thing of all that happens in this book or the biggest question to ask about this book is what happened to the cheese? Over all this is a great series to get into very funny and some what weird. Also easy are points to get if you like to read you can finish it in about two days. The series only gets better in the second book when he spends time with his brother but ill let you find out on you own in the dairy of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney


- Fernando Vera 
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Vampire Kisses 04/16/2012
 
Vampire kisses by: Ellen Schreiber

Vampire kisses is a great book to read. It is romantic, mysteries, and full with excitement at every page. It is a fairly easy book to read. The main character is a young girl named, Raven. Raven is a perky Goth that always stands out anywhere she goes. Raven was never like other kids in her school. She has always had a passion for vampires and it’s her long life childhood dream to be a vampire. As Raven grows up her dream of becoming a vampire slowly fades away, but that all changes when the abandoned mansion in her town is occupied by mysterious people. The people that just moved in always were black and never go out in the dark and the best part is that they have a boy that is just like Raven! The new boy in town called Alexander is a home schooled and very mysterious most people think that he is weird because they see him going to the cemetery at night by himself, but Raven finds that to be extremely hot! Soon she is consumed with Vampire fever and is determined to make her dream come true and meet this mysterious boy. Ellen Schreiber makes Vampire kisses an easy read with funny moments among dark themes. What I think is romantic about it is that nothing ever goes just right for Raven, but she is determined to get to her dream boy. Both of them have a very hard time, but they manage to make things work no matter how complicated things get. Not even Raven’s sworn enemy since kindergarten is able to set these two young teens love apart. It’s a fight. It’s a fight for love. I strongly recommend that you read this book among the other great books written by Ellen Schreiber.

By: Richard Manzo
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Run Boy Run 04/16/2012
 
Recently I read a great book called ‘’Run Boy Run’’. The author of this book is Ori Olev who was a survivor of the holocaust; I recommend this book to anyone who likes documentaries from kids that were in the holocaust and people that have been through a lot to learn from them. This book will let young people know how it’s hard for some of us to appreciate our blessings and what we currently have because this book is about a little boy called srulik, he was only just eight years old and he was among many people that lived in the warzone. He escaped the country and went to a dark forest where he lived for many years and tried everything to survive. He had nothing but his sympathy hoping to get money from the poor farmers surrounding him. He went through several chases, captures, ran away from executions, and also he lost his arm in an accident which no doctor wanted to attend him or help him. You should really read this book because of a lot of tragedies that people that can relate to and think they are alone. I think many students will benefit from this book and talk about it a lot just like I did when I first read it. This boy miraculously survives after seeing his father get killed, was influenced in stealing from a group of boys, and had to work for people that were both nice and cruel to him. When you read this book it might make you cry because of how unfair Adolf Hitler was with these small children but how with determination you can overcome any obstacles just like srulik did. 
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Once A King, Always A King
The Unmaking of a Latin King
by Reymundo Sanchez


Sanchez continues with his struggle to separate himself from his previous drug-crazed, violent persona. As a sequel to his previous book My Bloody Life Sanchez continues his memoirs of his post gang life. Trying to move on from the life he had with the Chicago Street gang The Latin Kings he will face many hardships. Even though he tries to move on from the life he had he goes back and gets involved with drugs and eventually goes to prison for possession. He soon comes to realize his incarceration is a “blessing in disguise” and begins to read the Bible and focus on his poetry and writing. Once released, he finds himself alone left only with his horrifying memories of physical and sexual abuse and a sense of worthlessness. Soon he manages to get a job and learns to feel the peacefulness of his freedom. Sanchez then finds Marilyn, an educated Puerto Rican woman whom he idolizes. Even though he believes she’s his “soul mate” he later abuses her. His violence toward her was due to the resentment against his unloving mother and he desperately wants to change but doesn’t know how. This is a very good book and I highly do recommend it. It deals with real life obstacles and situations that will change your life. 

Mirleydi Borquez 
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Nightmares and Dreamscapes by Stephen King

Well if you are looking for a great horror fiction book this is for you. Nightmares and Dreamscapes is a collection of short stories where horror inhabits each tale. This is a great book because it involves ordinary people who get into unusual, frightening situations and will keep you hooked until the end. The book has 23 short stories that will send shivers down your spine and each unique in its own way. Each story has a different plot and new characters so you will never be bored. Another great factor about the book is its great variety. For example, the first story called Dolan’s Cadillac is about a man who plans revenge against the man that murdered his wife while another story called Suffer the Little Children is about a teacher who decides to murder all her students one by one. Then there are stories that are unbelievable like the story Popsy. This story is about a man who gets paid for taking young children and finds his next victim but doesn’t know that this is no ordinary child. After the man takes the kid he realizes that this boy has incredible strength and strange teeth and then something crazy happens at the end. Then there are stories like Chattery Teeth, which is about a man who purchases a pair of odd pair of walking "Chattery Teeth" and then gets attacked by a hitchhiker but finds out something frightening about the Chattery teeth. Its such a good book that many of the stories were adapted into movies and has gotten many great reviews by other readers. If you like Stephen King then this is the right book for you. Its weird, scary, and entertaining from front to cover. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes horror fiction or just likes to read a variety of stories.

-Aida K. Escobar
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