Book Reviews by YOU. Take 2!

Shooting Kabul

N.H. Senzai

Reviewed by Justin, Gr. 12

"Shooting Kabul" was definitely a great novel written by N.H. Senzai. The novel starts off in Kabul, Afghanistan were Fadi and his family are planning an escape to America in order to escape the influence of the Taliban. In the effort to escape, Fadi had his younger sister Mariam's hand slip right through his fingers as the truck drove off. Not being able to turn back, both Fadi and his father felt as if their honor was lost. Finally landing in America the family did whatever they could to search for the whereabouts of Mariam. While Fadi's father took the toll for what happened, Fadi personally felt responsible for Mariam's loss. Fadi on top of all the guilt had to now attend a new school in Fremont, California adapting to the new way of life. While in California a series of events takes place which makes it difficult for Fadi and his family to live in and go about with their daily lives. With all that has happened an opportunity comes up were there is a photography contest and the grand prize consists of two free tickets to a few countries which included India. Fadi sees this as a chance to go and rescue his sister and restore the honor to both his father and himself that he felt he had lost. Will this be the chance for Fadi to finally rescue his sister or will Fadi and his family never be able to return back to Kabul and find Mariam? What may seem like an opportunity doesn't always come the way a person may expect it. This novel is great in the sense another culture is brought into perspective along with a way of life and what a family may have gone through while in America. The time period which the novel takes place is also very modern and some of the events which take place is very much recognizable. This book was very interesting and fun to read so that it will get you "hooked" on from the beginning to the end. Its something that if you have time, you should definitely read.  It’s a great book!

The Limit

Kristen Landon

Reviewed by Nicholas, Gr. 7

"This was a good book, I am glad that I chose it to read. This book is about a boy who is forced to go to a workhouse to pay for his family's debt. There is a law that says children must work if their parents go over their ""limit"". The story is about his time spent there and his attempts to escape.  The author uses a lot of detail to describe what is going on and this helped me picture it all in my head. I really liked the main character, Matt, because he took a lot of chances.  I would recommend this book to my friends because it has an interesting plot that can relate to our lives and we could be the main character if our world was like that."

The Allegea Biscotti Collection

Olivia Bennett

Reviewed by Emma, Gr. 7

"I read the book called "The Allegra Biscotti Collection", and I enjoyed it. This book is about a girl named Emma Rose who is 14 and lives in the city. She is a fashion designer and loves to make clothes.  Some of her clothes were left in her dad's factory where a famous fashion editor sees her work and wants to publish it in her magazine. Emma has to learn how to juggle school and having a secret identity, Allegra Biscotti. I would recommend this book to people, who love fashion.

The Last Best Days of Summer

Valerie Hobbs

Reviewed by Justin, Gr. 12

Lucy Crandall a twelve year old girl who all summer is looking forward to the last week in August were she can spend time with her Grams. For Lucy the week with Grams at Crescent Lake in California is the most perfect time in the world for her. Lucy can get away from her overprotective mother, her best friend Megan's obsession with becoming popular, and Eddie the neighborhood boy with Down Syndrome that she spends time with who constantly insists that both him and Lucy are friends. When Lucy goes to Grams all her problems goes away, and Lucy feels "centered". What seemed like it was going to be a perfect week, is nothing but perfect. It becomes more of a roller coaster ride with a lot of mixed emotions throughout the week, with some happy moments, but also some awful moments as well. Its a week full of surprises. Nothing goes as planned. Even Grams herself doesn't seem to be herself as she once was, which slowly makes Lucy  more and more concerned with her. While it seems like there are lots of ups and downs, will Lucy still be able to find some happiness and excitement during the week, or will this be a week of disappointment and disaster that she will always remember? The only way to find out is by reading the book and seeing what happens to Lucy during the last week of August when she goes and visits Grams. While I found the book to be a good read and humorous, I may find it to be more geared and appealing to a female audience. It may not be as appealing or interesting to read for a male audience. Overall however it was a great book and one teens should read.