Liar, Liar

Title: Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Deception

Author: Gary Paulsen

ISBN: 9780385740012

Summary

Kevin Spencer is an eighth grader. He is a liar. He doesn't mean to hurt or cause any trouble when he lies. He thinks lying makes life so much easier, and he is good at it. He lies to avoid partnering a with a girl on a project assignment. He, also, lies to several teachers so he does not have to attend classes because he needs free time to find ways to persuasive the girl he love that he is the perfect guy. As the lies pile up, he finds himself in big trouble with his friend, classmates, family and teachers. He realized lying is wrong and tried to fix the problem he has created. He writes apology letters to everyone he had hurt.

Review

It is a very interesting, funny story. It seems like a silly story, but it actually a serious story about matters in school, families, and friendship. The readers will learn the importance and beauty of truth. Also, how ones should interact with others. It is a recommendable title, but I do concern the lying influence on tween readers.

Following Magic

Title: Following Magic

Author: Kathleen Duey

ISBN: 9781416984580

Series: Book Two of the Faeries' Promise

Genre: Fantasy

Summary

60 years ago, Lord Dunraven established a law to prevent any connection between faeries and humans. To enforce the law, the Lord imprisoned the faeries' princess, Alida, and forced the faeries to move out the meadow where they use to live.  After staying in a stone castle for 60 years ago, Alida was freed by a human boy, Gavin. Alida do not know where to go because everything has been changed. Alida and Gavin were on a journal to find where other faeries. After searching meadow and meadow, Alida finally finds the right meadow. In the meadow, Alida finds a magical dandelion that will lead her to other faeries.

Review

I started reading the series from book two. Once again, when reading a series, make sure starts with book one in the series. It was confusing at the beginning of the story about how things had happened.  The story itself is plain and ordinary. I expected more excitements than the book provided. In addition, I think the story and characters would stay out better if it had more details. Faeries stories would be attracting to young girls.  An average title.

Prince of Underwhere

Title: Prince of Underwhere

Author: Bruce Hale

ISBN: 9780060851262

Series: Book One of Prince of Underwhere

Summary

Prince of Underwhere is about a twin, Zeke and Steph, and their friend, Hector, discover the Underwhere. Underwhere is a world that resided with little people, the Undies, whose wear underwear inside out.  The Undies are suffering from the ruling of the Underlord. According to a prophecy, Zeke is the lost prince who can rescue the Undies. Back to the upper world, Zeke's grant-aunt had left a magical throne to Zeke's parents. It was the throne belongs to the Underwhere, and the Underlord is searching for it. There was a rapper inviting them to attend a store opening party. In the party, Zeke discovers that the rapper is the Underlord.

Review 

It is an interesting story. It is pretty new to me that the book uses a novel on the chapters that happen in the upper world and cartoon for chapters happen in the Underwhere. It clearly separates two worlds. Reluctant readers would be attracting to this type of books. I like the fact that the author incorporates some historical events into the story with some twists. It helps inspire readers to read books about those events.  It should be a funny story, but I just do not quite understand its sense of humor. Young tweens would love this kind of humor. It is recommendable title.

The Facts About Alcohol

Title: The Facts About Alcohol

Author: Ted Gottfried

ISBN: 9780761418054

Genre: Non-Fiction

Series: Drugs, the Facts About

Summary

This book discusses the history, laws, abuses, and effects to the body of alcohol. It starts with a preface and follows by What's in a Drink section. The history of alcohol in America is in the Noble Experiment section. The government laws section is followed. The next section layouts problems cause by alcohol within families. The last section is the Help, Hope, and Healing section.  It has an afterword, a glossary, further information, a bibliography, and an index section at the end of the book.

Review

The subject discussed in the book is little heavy for Children, but there are children out there that have to deal with alcohol issues. Also, tweens should start to get to know some heavy issues that will face them in the future. This kind of books is essential for them, and a collection should contain it. This book would be a good start. The photos, pictures and demonstrate articles are useful to help readers understand the subject.

Annie's Adventures

Title: Annie's Adventures

Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

ISBN: 9780547053387

Series: The Sisters Eight

Genre: Adventure

Summary

The story begins in the New York's Eve. There are octuplet waiting for their parents to return, so they can start the celebration for Christmas and New York's Eve. The sisters were known as Sister Eight, and their name are Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jackie, Marica, Petal, Rebecca, and Zinnia.. Their Mommy and Daddy never came back. They found a note that explains what the sisters have to each find their own power and gift and to find out what had happened to their parents. The sisters have decided not to call to police or anyone for helps because they do not want to be separated. Annie had become the leader among in search of their powers and gift.

Review

I dislike several things about this book. With eight sisters, it was confusing about who is who at the beginning of the book, and it was kind of 'noisy'. Also, they are octuplet, so they should be identical. I was confused that how can they be different in height. "Each was one inch taller than next." In other words, the tallest one is taller than the shortest one 8 inches. It just does not make any sense. One more thing I dislike about the book is that I think it might have bad inferences through children readers. For instance, an 8 year-old girl was driving in the story might make kids think they can drive too. The story itself is okay. I think there are enough excitements that readers can flip page after page.