Category Archives: Fiction

“The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks”

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart A so-so cover that only has appeal after you’ve started reading the book and ‘get it.’ A so-so title. And one of the top ten teen books of 2009. How did … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters”

Posted on December 14, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

Here’s a review written by COHS student Jade: “Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters” by Gail Giles gets five stars from me! If you’re in the mood for confusing but riveting mystery, this is a good book for you! Sunny Reynolds’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Dracula”

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

Dracula by Bram Stoker As vampire tales are so popular lately, I decided this summer that I would read one of the original vampire novels—Dracula. The author, Bram Stoker, created the character of Dracula by pulling together lots of myths … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Fiction, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Over 375 pages, Supernatural | Tagged vampires | 2 Comments

“The Siege of Macindaw”

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

I’ve said before that I love this series–The Ranger’s Apprentice. This is the sixth book. Will, the ranger’s apprentice of the series’ title, now has his own fief to protect. It is a cold northern area with little activity–at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Endgame”

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

Endgame by Nancy Garden Here’s a new one,and I admit I haven’t read it yet, but it intrigues me. Here is the blurb from the book jacket. A new town, a new school, a new start. That’s what fourteen-year-old Gray … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Girlfriend Material,” “The Waters & the Wild,” “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landu-Banks”

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

I’ve mentioned before that we purchase books from the Junior Library Guild because they make great choices. Here are recent purchases that looks good: Excerpted from the Junior Library Guild Reviews: Girlfriend Material Kate had been looking forward to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“The Best American Short Stories 2008”

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

The Best American Short Stories 2008 edited by Salman Rushdie More great short stories! I had to buy this book for a class I was taking—then I lost the book and bought another one—then I found the first one—so, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Over 375 pages, Short Stories | Leave a comment

“The Hunger Games” and “The Maze Runner”

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Maze Runner by James Dashner I’m curious about why so many YA books—popular ones anyway—are about dystopias, lousy futures worlds where everything is wrong, the opposite of utopias. In the YA … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Movie Tie-In, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Tagged future dystopia, Hunger Games trilogy, Junior Library Guild, Maze Runner Trilogy | 10 Comments

“The Count of Monte Cristo” Student Reviews 2009

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

The following reviews by COHS students are on “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas. Genre: Historical Pages: 1312 Reviewer: Ron W. The story begins when the main character Edmond Dantes and Fernand Mondego land on the island of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Classic Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Over 375 pages | 1 Comment

“The Man in the Iron Mask” Student Reviews 2009