Got a few minutes? I know, not really. But you might want to make some time to take one of the surveys about The Seattle Public Library’s Homework Help program. Why? Because your opinions matter and will help us improve the Homework Help program. Oh, and also because you could win a $10 Starbucks card.
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Beauty Queens
Title: Beauty Queens
Author: Libba Bray
Summary: When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island’s other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.
I started reading it because… I honestly can’t remember why I requested it now. It had an interesting cover though.
I kept reading because… it was hilarious.
Main character(s): If they were in a yearbook, they would be voted Most Likely To: become a Charlie’s Angel.
Six Word Recap: Beauty queens crash, survive, and thrive.
This book reminded me of Swiss Family Robinson (a bit) maybe even Hunger Games in an odd sort of a way.
A few select language arts classes at schools throughout the city have had the pleasure this past school year to work with professional local writers. The program is called Writers in the Schools or WITS and it is twelve years old but the inspiration it provides to students is new each day. As you can guess I am one of the lucky students that was visited by a writer once a week. Read the rest of this entry »
One Second After, by William R. Forstchen, is one of my favorite books. The main story is a “what if” scenario; what would happen if an EMP went off in America? An EMP disables all electronics permanently. All electronics, telephones, even modern cars would stop working. In one second, America has been sent back into the Dark Ages. The story revolves around John. He and his small community survive with almost no food, electricity or medicine, and they are constantly attacked by bandits and looters. 80% don’t make it the first year. John must find the will to go on and become a leader, as the town looks up to him. What I like about this book is that it is a plausible scenario that not many Americans know about. One politician called it a book that every American should read. This book provides a realistic situation and what people and society would do if their lives were endangered every day.
Review by Fabio, Teen Advisor
Northeast Branch
The Sign of the Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Another Arthur Conan Doyle novel and another masterpiece of English literature, featuring a far more complicated plot than the previous A Study in Scarlet, continues the thrilling story of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sign of the Four contains all of the classic elements of the last: love, transcontinental adventure, greed, betrayal, murder, and, of course, mystery! Doyle really knew his stuff when it came to writing and to history; reading this book almost takes me back in time to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
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Recently, I went to see the Gauguin and Polynesia exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. I wasn’t very familiar with his work but it was very interesting to see the exhibit. I listened to the audio tour while I was walking around the exhibit and I learned a lot about Gauguin’s life, specifically about his life in Tahiti. I actually found his life very fascinating and he was a lot different than I had thought before. One of the pieces in the exhibit was a replica of his house, which was located next to a girl’s school, and the doorway had some obscene phrases on it, which surprised me a lot.
My favorite piece was called “Flowers and Cats”. It was very different from the rest of the exhibit and didn’t seem to have a lot to do with Polynesia but I still liked it. I definitely recommend this exhibit. Unfortunately, it is only at the SAM until April 29th. If you aren’t able to go to the museum you can still read about Gauguin and his exhibitions. Enjoy!
–Review by Maddie, teen blogger, Northeast TAG
Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
I started reading it because… it’s been recommended to me by a lot of people.
I kept reading because… it sucked me in!
Main character(s): If they were in a yearbook, they would be voted Most Likely To: Kill Demons.
Six Word Recap: Young Girl Tries to Save Mother.
This book reminded me of the “A Haunting” shows that used to air on the Discovery Channel, because… they would abolish demons sometimes.
