Word Out 2011

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Gail reviewed Stolen by Kelley Armstrong

PLEASE NOTE: THIS BOOK IS ADULT FICTION.  THERE ARE SOME PARTS TO IT THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOUNGER READERS.
Stolen is the second book in the Women of the Otherworld series.
In Stolen, paranormals are being kidnapped by a tycoon seeking to build his own collection.  Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf and the pack representive, goes to Pittsburgh where she is unexpectadly tricked by a young women who lures her into a trap by pretending to require assistance.  Now Elena is kidnapped and imprisoned underground where she is kept for scientific research and the worst part about it is that there seems to be some spell that is blocking her ability to contact with her pack members and call for help.  Now Elena has to find a way to escape, on her own, all the while trying to survive from the perverted tycoon who seems to enjoy torturing his prisoners and a lady who wants a more exciting life, and Elena might be the answer to it.
This is probably my fourth time reading this book.  I love the women of the otherworld series, it's much better then Armstrong's teen series' which i find dull and not very exciting.  Stolen has everything the first book, Bitten, has.  It has action, excitement and hot romantic scenes.  If i had to say anything bad about this book, it was that the introduction was slow but i understand that they had to set everything up and explain what was happening. The majority of the book is focused on Elena's entrapment.  She does get out, don't' worry about that. There had to be some way of continuing the story but what she has to go through…well, it's not pretty.  What i love about this series is that Armstrong finds a way to weave the different main characters in to each story. Stolen focuses on Elena but the next book in the series i believe focuses on the witches, who are introduced in this book.  I also really like the covers.  Although they're more symbolic then anything, the all black background and the one symbol is very strong and makes a large impact, at least for me.  Think the covers of Twilight but more intense.  So if you love reading abuot paranormals, give this book a try especially if you're starting to find that teen paranormal series' are getting a bit boring or if you love action and romance mixed together. Enjoy!

Sabryna reviewed I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali

I am Nujood, 10 and divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui. I read about this book on the word out 2011 website and it sounded very good. I was a little disappointed for a page or two but then I don't know what happened but I couldn't stop reading. I read in the car, between meals, really anytime. I read this book in less than a day. The story is about a little girl named Nujood who before the age of ten is married without her permission. Her husband beats her and she is forced to do all the cleaning as she is told she must do everything her husband tells her. She finds the courage after taking to her dad's second wife to go to court and get a divorce. Nujood is given a laywer who is very dedicated to her case and thinks of Nujood as a daughter. Nujood in the process the story of a little girl makes headlines all over the world. I found that most heartwarming of all, to think that all over the world people where wishing their best to a little girl they do not know. Nujood gets her divorce and finally gets to act like a child. This book gets 5/5. You just have got to read it!

Yasmin reviewed The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

The Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney has an interesting take on a world filled with magic and the dark that had me completely hooked. The Last Apprentice is a story about a boy who was the seventh son of a seventh son, because of this he has the power to fight the dark creatures that plague the County. His mother arranges for him to become the spook's apprentice and to fight against the dark. With an interesting plot and great characters this story is a real page turner. I also appreciated the fact that on the back of the cover of the book there was always a little warning that a certain page in the book not be read during the night so as not to frighten the readers. If you are wondering if there are any books that could possibly satisfy you like the Harry Potter series I encourage you to pick up this great read.

Emily Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

I just recently read "Half Brother" by Kenneth Oppel. It was one of the White Pine reads and is written by one of my favourite authors. The books touches on both the field of psychology and anthropology. Kenneth Oppel tells the intriguing life of a thirteen years old boy Ben, whose paren'ts brings home a baby chimpanzee Zan, as his little brother as Ben's dad is a behaviour scientist. The plot is well established with a detailed description of the main characters emotional turmoil when it came to fighting to keep his "brother". I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light read and are interested in animal and human interactions; the book is very accurate when it comes to the science aspect. Although I am not entirely sure, I feel that the book could have been based on the real life story of Washoe the chimp. However, I found that the side story about Ben's crush at school rather distracting, and Zan could have been given more descriptions by Ben.  Nonetheless, "Half Brother" brings forward an amazing story of love and compassion.