www.briarcliffmanorlibrary.org · Vol. 8, Issue 1, January 2013

The Critics: In This Issue: The Rating System:

Gaurdians of Ga’Hoole · The 36ØOLLIE UNACCEPTABLE!! (awful) Thief Lord · False Prince · Red · The 8th Grade Critic Cousins in the Castle · The LEMONS IN YOUR EYES (bad) Recnad Hobbit (book) · Flipped · Addie Darkstar MEH (ok) on the Inside · The Alchemyst · Mr. Real Fun Heist Society · The Last Hope · ACCEPTABLE... (good) Professor Bookworm The Mark of Athena · Wonder · Yoshi Powerless · My Side of the RAINING CANDY (excellent) Realnut Mountain

WORD FIND, page 6 —- [Meet the Critics on Page 7]

The opinions expressed in the reviews are not necessarily the opinion of the Library. The appropriateness of the materials reviewed is not for the Public Library to determine and the students are encouraged to review whatever they’d like— therefore, we encourage parents to be involved in and be aware of their children’s book, movie, television, gaming, and music choices. All non-original images are property of their various copyright owners. Critics 2

Gaurdians of False Prince Ga’Hoole By Jennifer Nielson

By Kathryn Lasky Critic: The 8th Gade Critic Rating: Raining Candy Critic: Darkstar Rating: Raining Candy This book is about Sage the Orphan and master Sorren has fallen out thief. When someone of his nest. And he comes by the orphan- can’t fly yet. His age to take him against parents are hunting. Then, he is swept up his will - Sage winds up in a plot to fool in the talons of a strange owl. He is everyone into believing he (or one of the taken to St. Aggies. There, they hypno- boys with him) is the lost Prince of the tize owls to do their bidding. There, recently murdered royal family. Twists Sorren meets Gylfie, an elf owl. Together and turns lead you down the overly they plan to escape. Read the book to complex life of Sage. Read IT!! see if they become brainwashed slaves or escape the horrible place. Red Taylor Swift The Thief Lord By Cornelia Funke Critic: Real Nut Rating: Acceptable...

Critic: 36ØOLLIE Rating: Raining Candy Taylor Swift’s 4th album is definitely The Thief Lord takes more mature then place in Venice, Italy. the rest, and in a It’s about a group of lot of ways better, but in a lot of ways not orphan kids who must too great. It has a lot of variety in it— follow their leader as he steals valuables there are songs closer to Taylor’s original constantly to keep them alive. As they country style, like “Holy Ground,” pop are pulled into a gamble to find some- songs like “22” and “We Are Never Ever thing mythical and thought to be long Getting Back Together,” and slow songs gone, many dramatic things happen. I like “All Too Well,” and many others. thought this book was a great read and Some are definitely better than others, to should be largely considered. me anyway, and some are just catchy, but not too great. The songs are mainly about boys, as most of Taylor’s music is, and less relateable. See for yourself. You might love it or hate it, or have mixed feelings like I do. But it’s really worth trying out. My favorite song on it is “State of Grace.”

Critics 3

Cousins in the Castle By Barbara Brooks Wallace

Flipped Critic: Mr. Real Fun Rating: Acceptable... By Wendelin Van Draanen Critic: Yoshi Rating: meh Amelia, newly orphaned (her father This book is really good. died when his hotel I really like this book. It burned down) goes across the ocean with is kind of slow, but some- her uptight cousin Charlotte. A bunch of times it’s okay. Mrs. stuff happens to her, including being left Craven says she loves this behind, kidnapped, ransomed and tricked. book, but I don’t think it’s The book has a dull beginning, but you that good. So if you want to read a slowish will not want to miss the ending. book and not be entirely entertained, read Flipped !

The Hobbit

By J.R. Tolkien

Addie on the Inside Critic: Professor By James Howe Bookworm

Critic: Real Nut Rating: Acceptable... Rating: Raining Candy I have reviewed The Addie on the Inside is the Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien. third book in the Misfits It is about a tiny series. It’s about Addie, hobbit, a group of dwarves, and a wizard the only girl in her group named Gandalf who go on a quest to of friends. Addie is the steal a treasure from a dragon. I think tallest girl in her grade, as well as one of the that the book was good, but it was a bit most opinionated and outspoken characters slow. The plot was kind of confusing, but I have read about. In the book, Addie goes it is good anyways. This book is a classic through a lot of problems other middle and the prequel to Lord of the Rings. schoolers go through: problems with Read it! friends, being an only child, being misinter- preted and labeled by her classmates, and mainly, being bullied. The entire book is told through narrative poetry. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that’s this realistic in terms of what middle school is like. I mean, some things were unrealistic, but in general, the book felt like middle school. Overall, it’s just a great book. You should read it, espe- cially if you liked The Misfits or Totally Joe. Critics 4

Heist Society By Ally Carter

Critic: Recnad Rating: Raining Candy

Katrina Bishop is just a regular fifteen year old girl who wants to live a normal life. This is pretty hard consid- Powerless ering the fact that she comes from a By Matthew Cody family of thieves...and is one herself. She tries to attend a boarding school, but gets Critic: Mr. Real Fun stuck back in to her family business. Her Rating: Raining Candy father’s in trouble and needs her help.

She needs to try and steal a painting back Read this book if you from one of the most secure museums in like books about kids the world. Will Kat succeed and clear her who can fly. Read this father’s name? Read the book to find book if you don’t like out! books about kids flying.

Read this book. I don’t want to threaten you, but still, READ OR ELSE! The Last Hope By Erin Hunter

Critic: darkstar The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Rating: Raining Candy Immortal Nicholas Flammel By Michael Scott Be prepared for the

Critic: The 8th Grade Critic wild ride that is this Rating: Meh book. The ultimate battle is coming and Sophie and Josh are twin the clans are being siblings in their second betrayed by their own clan-mates. Time year of high school. is running out and evil dead cats are on Their mom and dad are their way to destroy not only current cats archeologists and while but StarClan themselves. Two prophe- they’re at a dig they’re sies, one haunting and one forgotten. living with their aunt in Read this amazingly emotional book, but San Francisco. Little did they know their beware, this book will leave you in tears. world was about to change when they discover Nicholas and Pernelle’s secret. If you want to know more, read the book. Critics 5

The Thief Lord The Mark of Athena By Cornelia Funke

By Rick Riordan Critic: Yoshi Critic: Professor Bookworm Rating: Raining Candy Rating: Raining Candy The Thief Lord is a The Mark of Athena, Rick really good book. Riordan’s latest book, is just It’s really entertain- as good as it was expected ing, and suspenseful. to be. I won’t spill too There are some cliff- much intel, but I will tell you a bit about it. The 7 hangers and shocking parts. If you like demigods of the prophecy good books, then this is good. If you’re are sailing to Rome to try to a seventh grader, then you might know stop Gaea from destroying that Mrs. Craven or Ms. Yallo says that all demigods. It was good, you’ve got to have entertaining books, but I felt it was a bit anti- not school books that you HAVE to read. climactic. It had no resolu- The Thief Lord is one of those good tion, too. It also ends in a cliffhanger. But fear books. not….Book 5 comes out in a year.

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Wonder Immortal Nicholas Flamel By R.J. Palacio by Michael Scott

Critic: Recnad Critic: Professor Rating: Raining Candy Bookworm Rating: Acceptable... Don’t judge a book boy by it’s cover his face. Since the day he was born, August Pullman has This book was an been getting surgeries… option for summer especially on his face. He reading. I thought it has never gone to an actual seemed interesting, so I school before, and is about read it. It was actually to start fifth grade. Every- quite good. The char- one is pretty much used to acters have a lot of depth, it is a perfect his face...except people he blend of real life, fantasy and mythology. hasn’t met, and people who The plot was a bit fast and jumbled but don’t know him. Will Au- great fun nonetheless. This is the first book gust fit in to his new in a series of five, and one of the best. I school? If you read this recommend this book. book, you will most likely cry, or never automatically judge someone by what they look like...so...read the book... Critics 6

Meet the Critics YOSHI 36ØOLLIE Last year I was a critic, but my name was Yoshi Platypepo. The few people that did read my reviews idolized me, so I had to go into hiding again to avoid my fans. So anyways, I used to work in a circus, and I’m an expert chow mein maker, and hate scrabble. I invented scissors (No! Leonardo Da Vinci did not no matter what it says on the Official video game addict, internet.) I also am BFF of Surge Ibaka and that loves sports, though! XD yellow thing in Pokemon because they both have (Loves swimming, football, funny names. basketball, soccer and biking.)

REALNUT THE 8TH GRADE CRITIC My name is an anagram. The only 8th grader in Critics. Anagrams are fun. I like cheese, staring at screens, and writing stuff. I also like books. Books are amazing. RECNAD

PROFESSOR BOOKWORM sdrawkcab siht daer S.P.! bulc scitirc ot og dna, I’m not a worm, I’m ward, daer, ecnad ot ekil not a professor, nor I. am I a book. But I like books anyhow.

DARKSTAR

MR. REAL FUN Leader of ShadowClan, she is very quiet and sneaky. Watch out, or I’m not real. I’m you might be caught and not fun. But I am traded like prey! real fun.