21 August 2010

Bone by Jeff Smith

The graphic novel Bone by Jeff Smith is about a character named Fone Bone and his cousins Smiley Bone and Phoney Bone. Phoney Bone gets run out of town so Fone Bone and Smiley Bone go with him. They get lost in a strange village with rat creatures and dragons. They find humans that protect them and will help them return to Boneville. It takes them a long time to get back. The book is really interesting because of the book's creativity and I like the characters. Fone Bone is normal, Smiley doesn't have a brank and Phoney is greedy. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure books and graphic novels.

Call number: YA GRAPHIC SMITH (Teen Room)

Reviewed by Jack.

13 August 2010

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer

Three children are growing up within the confines of their mansion. They aren't allowed out into the town or interaction with many other people, but they do have a Mellower who helps train them in fighting, tells them stories about history and fantasy, and provides them with comfort daily. When the oldest decide that they want to venture into town to earn their Scout Exploration Badges, the very thing happens that their very powerful and intimidating father had been trying to protect them from -- they are kidnapped in moments.

The parents of the three children are overwhelmed with distress and guilt that they weren't able to protect their children from harm and they hire The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm Detective Agency to find them. The three sleuths were all born with mutations following nuclear exposure: Ear has super hearing; Eye has super vision; and Arm is sensitive to touch and also has psychic tendencies where he can feel the emotions of others.

Altogether -- though separately in their quests -- they must survive a variety of adventures, evil powers, old world ideals, and powerful technologies. This complicated and exciting story is recommended to those interested in adventures with subtle discussions of religion and politics amid an atmosphere of fantasy and magic.
Call number: YA FARMER (Teen Room)

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

10 August 2010

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Melody Brooks can't walk, talk, or do everyday things that most people don't even think about. Despite what she can't do, Melody is brilliant. Once she gets a device that helps her communicate, students and teachers discover that she's smart enough to compete in quiz competitions. The only problem is that many people are mean to her just because she's different. She's capable of winning her school an award, but it's up to her classmates to accept her.

This story makes you realize how hard it is to deal with people teasing you just because you're different. It also shows how much you can hurt someone by ignoring them and not caring about how they feel. Also, sometimes the people who are different are the ones who are most valuable to a team.

Call number: YA DRAPER (Teen Room)

Artemis Fowl : The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

The book Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex is a brand new book out to hook readers into the world of the well-known criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl. A terrible psychological disease has taken hold of Artemis, though. Named the Atlantis Complex disease, there are many stages involving psychosis, OCD, dissociative identity disorder (DID), and in some cases, eventual death. It has also struck at a bad time, as one of his worst enemies are on the loose, with an army of near-zombie slaves with him. Can Artemis, even struck by a deadly disease, along with the fairy folk, save the Earth from destruction? Read this book to find out.

Call number: YA COLFER (Teen Room)

Reviewed by Alon.