The Red Pyramid

The Kane Chronicles Book One: The Red Pyramid By Rick Riordan

The Red Pyramid is Rick Riordan's new book! It starts out similar to his last series: a loved family member is lost to some form of gods, this time Egyptian. Apparently, the main characters, Carter and Sadie Kane's dad has exploded the Rosetta Stone, therefore, the gods of Egypt are now taking over mortals, animals, and sometimes objects. Set has taken over Amos, the kids uncle and now the kids are trying to avoid him, in order to not be killed in the hands of their uncle.

I think Rick Riordan's new book is pretty well written, though it sticks to the same story structure as the Percy Jackson and The Olympians Series. I think Mr. Riordan needs to branch out from the story structure, because otherwise the only difference is the area/settings.

I give this book a 4.8! **** and 8/10

Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey

Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey By Maragaret Peterson Haddix

Tish Bonner was in the middle of a big pit of problems, and there was no way of getting out. Well, not until Tish is required to keep a journal in her teacher, Mrs. Dunphrey's English class. This is where Tish can pour out all of her problems, and doesn't have to worry about them being exposed. Mrs. Dunphrey has promised, promised, that if an entry in the journal is marked "Do Not Read This", she will not read it. It seems, to Tish, that all here secrets are safe. She spills about things happening in her family, the thoughts she has, and much more. More and more pressure build up on her, and she does not know what to do.

I liked this book because Tish expressed herself in such manners that you actually felt that you were there with her, and you had a secret window and could take a peek into here every-day life. I give this book FOUR AND A HALF STARS. **** + 1/2.

Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems

Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems - John Grandits

In Blue Lipsick, Jessie, a regular (or as regular you can get) high-school student, writes about the everyday happenings of her life, in the form of concrete poems.

Concrete poems are poems in the shape of the topic. For instance, if I were writing about a tree, my words would be in the form of a tree.

These poems range from topics of a hair-dying project gone horribly wrong, to a volleyball practice, in which the words go bouncing across the page.

I like this book because of the variety, and how Jessie deals with life, and everything confusing, maddening and just all the things in between. I give this book a ****** !

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan

In this book, Percy turns sixteen, and faces the battle of his life. A spy from the other side emerges, and many others perish by Kronos's hand. Percy has to make the choice of his life: will he save Olympus, or watch it crumble, never to reign again.

I love this series because, of the gripping details, and small surprises. *Spoiler Alert*
This isn't part of the story, so it isn't really a spoiler, but in the back of the book, Rick Riordan wrote: "As the first series comes to a close..." That means that he may write another series, and possibly from a different point of view, Annabeth's or Grover's. I can't wait!!! Anyhoo, I give this book a very rare " ****** "! (It's rare because I'm supposed to only rate from 1-5 stars.)

Sammy Keyes and The Cold Hard Cash

Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash - Wendelin van Draanen

Sammy is rushing (illegally) to her grandmother's apartment, when she scares an old man - literally to death. His last words were "Take the money! Get rid of it! Get rid of it!". Sammy does this, but then has afterthought, and goes back to collect it. Now she's got a ton of money in her hands, and it may just be fake.

I like this book, and the series, because there is a girl heroine. You don't see many of those these days. The author is a great descriptive writer, and is coming out with a new book, "Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher". I give this book/series a rating of " *****".

The Omnivore's Dilemma

The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat by Michael Pollan

If you have heard of The Omnivore's Dilemma for adults, you may be surprised that Michael Pollan came out with a version for kids, with easy to read text, and little add-ons such as "What Is Corn Disguised As?" The book covers three meal "plans". One, Industry Food (McDonalds), Two, Organic, and Three being all "Hunter and Gatherer sorts".
This book was a tiny bit slow in the beginning, but once you get into it, it becomes very intriguing, packed with details. This book is not for the queasy, so beware the section where he explains how to kill a chicken.
This book may not have made it to my favorites list, but I give it a "****"!

DWEEB : Burgers, Beasts and Brain-Washed Bullies

DWEEB : Burgers, Beasts, and Brain-Washed Bullies by Arron Starmer

These five boys are currently the most despised kids in their school, and when they are taken hostage by the turned-evil vice principal, they don't know how to react. Between getting so angry that one boy punches a hole in the wall, and the meanest school bully turning nice, these boys are just trying to figure out what in the world they're going to do.

I liked this book because of how opposite the boys seemed to be, and how in the end they all became friends. I enjoyed this book as well for the reason of how each boy had a very carved personality.

I give this book a **** .