What if political boundaries could be explained by how creative or right-brained you were? Our middle school-age boys' book club liked this action-pac...moreWhat if political boundaries could be explained by how creative or right-brained you were? Our middle school-age boys' book club liked this action-packed but thought-provoking fantasy. (less)
Smart and enjoyable, as the review below mine says. The book was selected by my 7th and 8th grade boys' book club. I was happy to learn this was writt...moreSmart and enjoyable, as the review below mine says. The book was selected by my 7th and 8th grade boys' book club. I was happy to learn this was written by a fellow native Arkansan who went to Hendrix College and then the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Stewart weaves many clever details into the action/adventure plot and leaves a few surprises for the end. (less)
Wow--this book probably will achieve cult status at some point. It's part Arthurian quest, part geekfest, and part fable about the human condition. Tr...moreWow--this book probably will achieve cult status at some point. It's part Arthurian quest, part geekfest, and part fable about the human condition. Trivia (or if that's too glib, mementos) from the 70s to the present are liberally splashed around, but we care deeply about Wade and his predicaments. Even though I don't play video games, I loved this audiobook, which a 7th grader in our school book club made me aware of.(less)
We will be reading this as we get ready for our second school visit from Ann Bausum. She's an articulate speaker who relates well to kids and who does...moreWe will be reading this as we get ready for our second school visit from Ann Bausum. She's an articulate speaker who relates well to kids and who does a fabulous job of talking about the process of writing nonfiction. We have all of her books and this one is looking great!(less)
I read this a few years ago when our school was buzzing about it, and now our 7th-8th grade book club is reading it. Should be interesting to get thei...moreI read this a few years ago when our school was buzzing about it, and now our 7th-8th grade book club is reading it. Should be interesting to get their comments! Is it too violent for this age or just right?(less)
I liked it fair to middlin'. The part about the visit to the Amazons in Seattle was the best part and made me laugh a lot. I was in a hurry to finish...moreI liked it fair to middlin'. The part about the visit to the Amazons in Seattle was the best part and made me laugh a lot. I was in a hurry to finish this for book club, so that may have detracted from the fun--that and the fact that I skipped books 2-5 in the original series. Maybe next summer I'll fill in the missing pieces. The guys in my book club liked this but had their own critiques to add and are all wanting the next book to be published.(less)
I gave this book a quick read and thought it was good for the middle school action/adventure lover. The whole series has kept the interest of quite a...moreI gave this book a quick read and thought it was good for the middle school action/adventure lover. The whole series has kept the interest of quite a few boys I know, so I'm glad it's here.(less)
March pick for our school book club. Update: we have it on two of our e-readers (Sony readers). The DRM kept it from being available on our other read...moreMarch pick for our school book club. Update: we have it on two of our e-readers (Sony readers). The DRM kept it from being available on our other readers (the Nooks). I hope these e-book wars can work out for the best of the reader world and the library world too. Final update: I finished reading the rest of the book last night. I think the mythology, backstory, and literary style are intriguing and that the book would make a good summer reading choice.(less)
selected for both Upper and Lower School book clubs--I just finished this today. I'm now wishing I'd read the 2nd-5th books in the Percy Jackson serie...moreselected for both Upper and Lower School book clubs--I just finished this today. I'm now wishing I'd read the 2nd-5th books in the Percy Jackson series and will probably go back and read them, maybe next summer. At one point I thought he was trying to work too many different gods and stories in, but by the end I got wrapped up in the story and felt like it was tied together well. Looking forward to the next installment!(less)
Bleak! Dystopian! great story! Just discussed this--the Scorch Trials is also out now and we're hoping the third and last book will have some kind of...moreBleak! Dystopian! great story! Just discussed this--the Scorch Trials is also out now and we're hoping the third and last book will have some kind of hope...(less)
I got into a time crunch and didn't actually read this entire book, but I did like the parts I read. My LS book club also enjoyed it and several read...moreI got into a time crunch and didn't actually read this entire book, but I did like the parts I read. My LS book club also enjoyed it and several read the other books in this series. (less)
The finale to the trilogy (although there may be prequels and sequels to come) is satisfying as it ties up loose ends and brings the action to a suita...moreThe finale to the trilogy (although there may be prequels and sequels to come) is satisfying as it ties up loose ends and brings the action to a suitable ending. Brilliant interweaving of the Alice story with forays into the modern young adult mindset makes this series work!(less)
A very entertaining page turner, even for a middle aged woman--but I have to ask where the press was during the release of the Stormbreakers! Even so,...moreA very entertaining page turner, even for a middle aged woman--but I have to ask where the press was during the release of the Stormbreakers! Even so, I recommend this for anyone in middle school or older. I will try to read the sequels, which our students have already stormed through long ago.(less)
Highly enjoyed this Being There-like story about a kid who is transplanted from a hippie background into a contemporary public school. Lots of good al...moreHighly enjoyed this Being There-like story about a kid who is transplanted from a hippie background into a contemporary public school. Lots of good allusions and connections.(less)
Selection of our book club (all boys) during its first year--entertaining. Artemis is kind of an adolescent anti-hero, a little smart-alecky and edgy,...moreSelection of our book club (all boys) during its first year--entertaining. Artemis is kind of an adolescent anti-hero, a little smart-alecky and edgy, and I don't entirely approve of his use of a drug-alcohol cocktail to achieve his goal of saving his mother. (less)
Chosen by the Guys Read book club the first year, this turned into a good summer reading selection. It was entertaining and a little creepy, so the bo...moreChosen by the Guys Read book club the first year, this turned into a good summer reading selection. It was entertaining and a little creepy, so the boys liked it.(less)
One of our first book club selections several years ago--demonstrated to me that kids know what they like. It wove modern-day adventure and mythology...moreOne of our first book club selections several years ago--demonstrated to me that kids know what they like. It wove modern-day adventure and mythology together to make the classics relevant--not an easy feat.(less)
I listened to the Audible version of this--my first Audible download ever. It made a good listening experience while driving back and forth to work. I...moreI listened to the Audible version of this--my first Audible download ever. It made a good listening experience while driving back and forth to work. I'm not sure that I'll finish the series, but it had a humorous tone, and I did like it.(less)
This turned out to be a great book club choice--partly about the trials of having a younger brother, and partly about living with illness...we also ha...moreThis turned out to be a great book club choice--partly about the trials of having a younger brother, and partly about living with illness...we also have the sequel After Ever After, told from the younger brother's view after he becomes a teenager. Our group liked this book a lot and I enjoyed laughing out loud and feeling sad about this family's struggle. It was a quick read, too.(less)
My all-boy book club (I sponsor it) liked this the best of all the books they had read so far this year. They can't wait for the next one to come out....moreMy all-boy book club (I sponsor it) liked this the best of all the books they had read so far this year. They can't wait for the next one to come out. I thought the plot twists were executed well, and the premise was enlightening--what would happen if all the adults suddenly disappeared?(less)
My boys' school book club loved this book and series--hard to keep it available. It was a page turner, even though I don't usually get into combat sce...moreMy boys' school book club loved this book and series--hard to keep it available. It was a page turner, even though I don't usually get into combat scenes that much. Good YA characters too.
(Update March 2012: This has now been selected by three different book clubs at MUS and by my church book club. The movie will come out this month, and I've finished the trilogy via audiobook. The series is probably so popular because it's so thought-provoking in its treatment of children, violence, society, and war.(less)
Author Frank Beddor visited our school in 1/11, and it was a huge success. This is a creative alternative version of Alice in Wonderland, with a lot o...moreAuthor Frank Beddor visited our school in 1/11, and it was a huge success. This is a creative alternative version of Alice in Wonderland, with a lot of action and adventure. Both book clubs that I sponsor enjoyed it and went on to the other books in the series, and many more guys are reading the series now that they've seen the author in person. (less)
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