Word Out 2011

Blog down your fines posts! See what other teens are reading.

Earn $2 in library bucks towards your fines when you share your favourite reads.

Joseph reviewed Thirteen Days To Midnight – By: Patrick Carman

This is a must-read exciting novel about a teen named Jacob Fielding who is in a car accident one night and just before the accident someone else in the vehicle with him, said these words to him, "You are indestructible." That is how only Jacob survived the accident. Now he has this ability not to die because of these three words. Later on, he starts to face the challenges that face him and he must use this power to help save others even if it means doing unimaginable things to save his new friend, Ophelia James. The other catch to this story is that Jacob only has thirteen days to figure out how to use this power and answer the impossible question: What if he has to kill the ones he loves to save her? In this nail-biting teen mystery and dark intrigue novel, Jacob has to walk on the path between right and wrong, good and evil, even life and death.  From the best-selling author, Patrick Carman, comes and amazing teen read that will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for more…..

Gail reviewed  Angelfire – By: Courtney Allison Moulton

Well the cover instantly got my attention.  You see a girl (the main character) holding her sword, which is revealed in the book to be a Khopesh sword.  She's dressed entirely in black with her red hair behind her. Well besides the cover, the book itself is pretty good.  The story is about a girl named Ellie who has recurring nightmares and has no idea why.  Later she meets a guy named Will who seems vaguly familar to her and on her 16th birthday, she soon figures out why.  Turns out, she's the reincarnation of the Preliator, someone dedicated in saving the world from the "reapers" (think demons).  Throughtout the book, Ellie meets various foe and discovers the plan that those on the evil side are hatching, so to speak.  The author really explains the story well and when i read it, i really could relate to the characters.  All their emotions and actions are written very well.  The only part i disliked about the story is when the author writes about Ellie's nightmares, more visions later on in the book. They take away from the story and i feel there was no need to have about three pages dedicated to these visions when it could be summerized in a brief paragraph.  I'm pretty sure my reaction would have been the same from either or but i would prefer the paragraph because it would involve reading less of the boring parts.  Angelfire is a story about angels, no surprise there.  this one, although similar to other angel books with the whole save the earth mission and the whole future angelic war, this story seems to have a seperate plot.  Moulton introduces many new ideas that i have never read about in any other books.  Her explanation of the reapers in her book is very concise and explains it very clearly.  Each character is also developed and described in that you can relate to their personality and behaviours.  The ending to this book was sort of a let down.  I remember getting to the end and flipping the page expecting a new chapter and only getting the acknowledgment section. Angelfire is part of a trilogy so there is more but the transition between each novel could have been better.  Another problem is that the main character's personal problems often overshadow the main plot at certain points.  Of course i do love reading about Ellie's family or friend issues but i feel it takes away from the entire plot as a whole.  One page we're talking about saving the world and the next it's about relationship issues.  Overall this was an excellent read and i can't wait for the second one.  To all those who enjoy action, romance, and stories about angels, definitely give this book a try.

Melissa reviewed Phantom – By Susan Kay

Phantom by Susan Kay is based off of Gaston Leroux's "The Phantom of the Opera". It is a spin-off and it takes the character Erik, and drastically develops a more in depth life to him. We learn a new background to Erik such as his family, where he lives, where he travels, what happens to him on the way, who he meets and so much more. In "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux, we only know about Erik from when he is in the Paris Opera house to his death, and there is only a small inscription about his life at the very end of the book. Susan Kay's book explains what happened to Erik from birth to death and is a little changed near the ending, but it is a great read and relates very much to the original work. It is adventurous, funny, sad, etc, and it is one book, if you already love "The Phantom of the Opera", you will not want to put down and it is a keepsake. However, even if you have never read "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux, I surely think you will still love this book because of the way it is written and displayed!

Saifuddin reviewed Found: The Missing, Book 1 – By: Margaret Peterson Haddix

The Missing is actually the series name but the book it self is called Found. Here goes the basic summary…
     Neighbors Jonah and Chip, both 13 and both adopted, both receive anonymous letters telling each that he is "one of the missing," and warning them of unspecified danger. After some investigation, they find that they were two of 36 babies found on a mysterious airplane that appeared, and then disappeared, at the airport 13 years earlier. Now they are being stalked by threatening men who can vanish at will, and who may be able to travel through time…
     Going through time – wouldn't it be so amazing. I would love if scientists start working on that… JOKES But overall i loved the book and this is a very special book for me because this book was the book i started my reading. the way Haddix writes her book, I think no one but Rick Riordan, the author of another beautiful series called Percy Jackson And The Olympians and Stephenie Meyer, New York Times Bestselling Author, of the book called Twilight. Kelley Armstrong is a amazing author for people who love mystery books.
     But Haddix rulez. She not only succeeded in this particular book but she also succeeded in the rest of her books.  I RECOMMEND ANYONE WITH THE FEAR OF READING ALONE TO TRY READING THIS BOOK. I RE-REMIND YOU OF…

Nelani reviewed Word Nerd By: Susin Nielsen

Ambrose is a curios twelve-year-old who is famous for saying the worst things at the least desirable of times. In short, he's a nerd. He has a talent for playing scrabble and a weakness when making friends. After nearly dying at school when bullies put a peanut into his sandwich; Ambrose's mom decides that Ambrose will take correspondence classes from home. Raised by a single, overprotective mom, Ambrose knows how hard his mom has worked to bring him the best life possible. However, spending most of his life under his mom's shadow drives Ambrose to cross the line.

This book is a thriller that is great for all readers. Word Nerd is a book you'll surrender yourself for from the beginning till the end. It's one book I highly recommend if you are looking for a change from all the usual story lines. The perspective of this book is from a twelve-year-old boy with a very funny but honest look on things. It takes place in modern day Vancouver, Canada. Word Nerd is a well written book in which you're taken into a world of exciting scrabble and true friendship. It's written by Canadian author Susin Nielsen, who has won many awards including Mr. Christie's silver medal. Word Nerd is also a current Red Maple nominee.

Ajai reviewed Flags. (Symbols of Canada).by Deborah Lambert

            This book is a short simple, but very educational book that really brings out the passion and enthusiasm that you might feel when you thing about our national flag. Getting to know the history makes you believe and understand what our ancestors had to go through in order to create a strong powerful country to raise the next generations and to protect them from danger.
           To create a country that has all these things is not easy, because many countries like Canada and India sacrificed a lot in order to really accomplish what they desired. They both have a great line of history that states how hard they worked to receive it. For example, India had lost many lives against British and through history, I know that Canada had the same experiences in the past.
           A strong country or a place needs to have a flag to represent or show its unique identity. When people usually think of flags, they think it's to show how strong and powerful a group of people are. It is true, but most importantly it is a symbol of courage and strength. It makes people remember about the past and have a change to celebrate it like Canada Day.
           Both India and Canada have some similarities. They both are strong countries with their own unique history and flags that represent history, the white colour in both Indian and Canadian flag represent peace, purity and innocence. The red part in the Canadian flag represents courage and strength, the maple leaf in our flag represents the nature and the environment of the Canada today. Each one of our provinces have their own flags to show their unique appearances.
          Canada is wonderful place to live in where adventure awaits. I am sure glad to be here. Canada have spoken and nurtured us with its resources. Now it is our turn to love it back!!