Online Book Reviews

Below are book reviews submitted by MHS students and teachers. Browse through the list to find titles that others are recommending.

Submit an online book review here.

Diary of PellyD
By Lucy J. Adlington

Summary: This book is a futuristic tale of a boy who finds a diary while demolishing a plaza so that it can be rebuilt. While digging, he finds the diary of a girl called Pelly D. In it, he reads about her exploits as one of the wealthy, popular girls at her school and her ambitions for her life afterwards. But when the government starts getting more instistent about "gene coding" things really start to go down hill for Pelly D. There are three different races in her community: Ammeretti, Marezzi, and Galrezi. Certain races are seen as more affluent than others. This book actually paralells another work of literature that I never really got into until it was put in this context.
Strengths: I really liked the way they took an old story and put enough new touches on it to make it more interesting, but still kept the part of the story that was important intact. Pelly D. is rich and proud, but she can also be really down to earth and friendly if she wants to be. It develops really nicely and towards the end of the book you really start to feel for her.
Weaknesses: Some of the futuristic slang and technical things are kind of hard to understand. But once you get used to it it actually helps you feel like you're there.

-Chelsea Green, 11th grade
4/7 /06

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Dreamquake
By Elizabeth Knox

Summary: Imagine an alternate Earth where a small group of talented individuals can capture dreams and then play them back (while asleep) to other individuals. This even includes nightmares. This book is about the daughter of one of the most talented dreamhunters ever to live and the struggles she faces as she dicovers who she is and the mysterious origins of the dreams which is simply known as the Place.
Strengths: This book was alittle outisde the genre of science fiction/fantasy that I normally read. So for me it as a little of an experiment. This book is a social drama wrapped in the coming of age strory of two young ladies. the author did a good job of creating some inetretsing twist and tunrs in the storyline.
Weaknesses: The book was a little bit of slow read, but it keeps you interested enough to finish the book.Do NOT read this book with out reading Dreamhunter the first book in the duet. You will be sooo lost.

-Mr. Broussard, Teacher
3/26/08

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Eldest
By christopher paolini

Summary: sequel to Eragon, Eldest is the second part of eragon and saphira's mission to fight evil in their country and survive the war between the riders and the changes going on within them and around their world.
Strengths: i liked how it goes over two point of views sometimes and all the action. others might enjoy it because it has everything in there action, drama, dragons, and more..
Weaknesses: this is the best book ever !!!!!!

-Silvia Garcia, 9th grade
9/29 /06

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Flipped
By Wendelin Van Draanen

Summary: Bryce Loski, a boy who just moved into a new neighborhood with his family just got settled, until Bryce met his new neighbor who just lived right across the street, Juli Baker. Juli Baker who just met Bryce fell head over heels with him, Love at First Sight. With Bryce so young to understand the true meanings of love, he has to learn it on his on. This encounter will bring you to journey of both minds of Bryce and Juli.
Strengths: The book is very realistic all the way. Just getting to know what is happening in their minds is so great. Trying to think what a girl thinks or vice versa, you can't imagine. That's probably the strongest strength into this book.
You can put yourself in all the events that were taking place on the book. It had its funny moments, parts where you might tear, and just want to argue about to yourself. If you want to try it for yourself, try it, read it and enjoy yourself.
Weaknesses: If you decide to read all about Bryce by itself then go back and finish off with Juli, it's not really a good idea. That's my opinion but it may be different from yours. There isn't much of a weakness on this novel, it's a must have to read for a teen's life. Trust me without having much of a negative on this novel, it's got to be worth it.

-Marvin Pimentel, 10th grade
2/28/07

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Life At These Speeds
By Jeremy Jackson

Summary: A stud athlete finds himself after a car accident caught up between his friends and his overcompulsive long distance running.
Strengths: Very funny, attention keeping, can't take your eyes off the pages.
Weaknesses: Absolutely nothing! perfection.

-Stephen Njoroge, 12th grade
11/26/07

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Once Upon a Marigold
By Jean Ferris

Summary: Christian a boy who is found by a troll called Ed in a forest, starts sending a correspondance via Pmail to a princess in a castle near by. They soon bond after greek myths and an adventure unfolds as they become best friends, princess and commoner...
Strengths: It is a cute story and would be fun to read when you need a little cheering up; it has a little humor, a little action, and a little romance; it is a perfect book to read on a rainy day.
Weaknesses: There are none; this book is great.

-Silvia Garcia, 10th grade
9/4/07

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Perma Red
By Debra Magpie Earling

Summary: Louise White Elk is a beautiful Native American girl struggling on a poor Montana reservation in the 1940s. She is in a constant battle to break free of the men that try to bind her, and the culture that claims her. Louise is vibrant and headstrong, and takes on each challenge like a true survivor.
Strengths: This book goes really in depth when it comes to the struggles of the main characters. An although this book is set sixty years in the past, it is still relatable. It takes you on a journey.
Weaknesses: I feel that this book didn't give enough insight into the Native American culture; sometimes I forgot the main characters were Native American! But, otherwise, it's a pretty fantastic book.

-Jasmine Bruno, grade 11
2/27/08

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The Skin I'm In

By Sharon Flake

Summary: It talks about this girl named Makayla, her skin is very dark, then this one teacher comes that has a birth mark on her face. Makyla has this friend that others think are a bad experience. To makyla they do something together that you have to read about!!!
Strengths: I liked how the book described Makayla, i also think the strength of this book is that it is realistic. The author sharon flake writes the book as a teenager that i can learn from.
Weaknesses: I liked this book so much that i think it really does not have any weakness. The author Sharon Flake did a great job writing this book.

~Raahkeem Higgins (Robert), grade 9
2/28/08

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