Title: A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Number of CDs (I listened to the audiobook, and you should too!): 5
Publisher: Listening Library and Disney Lucasfilm
ISBN: 9781101891971
Publication Date: September 22, 2015
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.7, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points - 7.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22716524-a-new-hope
In a nutshell: A long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far away...yeah, you know what this is about. Do I really need to summarize it? Okay, fine. This is the tale of a girl and two guys. The girl is trying to save the galaxy from an evil regime, one guy is pirating his way through the stars and accidentally winds up aiding a rebellion, and the other guy is discovering that his destiny lies far beyond his desert home planet. When these three characters' tales intersect, the galaxy will never be the same again. *cue John Williams music*
I'd recommend it to grades: 3 and up (Let's be honest...all ages will love this.)
I'd recommend it to: Star Wars fans (obviously), adventure junkies, and those who like character-driven novels with plenty of action splashed in
What I liked most about this book: First
off...I listened to the audiobook of this, and I'm so glad I did. I
think I would have enjoyed the book, but the Star Wars music and sound
effects and incredible voice talents on this are AMAZING! Huge props to Marc Thompson and Rebecca Soler. As for
the content, I loved the insight you get into each of these three main
characters. Like many people, I've been a ginormous Star Wars fan for
longer than I can remember, and I thought I knew these characters pretty
well. However, this delved even more into the minds of Leia, Han, and
Luke. You hear Leia's inner struggle to prove herself to the Senate and
the Rebellion and mourn with her after she loses her home planet, you
laugh at Han's inner playboy yet realize that he's more than just a smug
smuggler, and you follow Luke's journey from naive moisture farmer to
confident and selfless Rebellion pilot and Jedi-in-training. Plus, much of the dialogue is straight from the movie! I may or may not have quoted it along with the book as I listened to it. Yeah, I definitely did. ;) I laughed, I
teared up (Yes, in the car! Haha!), I nerded out, and I applauded
Alexandra Bracken for writing a worthy Star Wars retelling that lives up
to the original. Brava, Ms. Bracken, brava!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I'm not sure it's even possible to give Star Wars spoilers. I mean, unless you've been living under a rock or are under a year old or something (In which case, I doubt you're reading this review. You'd be super genius smart!), you've heard or seen this tale in one way or another. If you haven't, then this is the perfect time to start, but I digress. It's hard to pick a favorite moment in this because it's all so fantastic, but the trash compacter scene is probably at the top of my list. Our three heroes are in danger of being flattened alive in a giant garbage disposal, and you really get to see how each reacts under pressure and how they interact with each other. Plus, trash monster!
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): All the stars in a galaxy far, far away! (plus 3 stars for the second book, The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi? by Adam Gidwitz, and 5 stars for the third book, Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side! by Tom Angleberger)
Title: William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope
Author: Ian Doescher
Pages: 176
Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN: 9781594746376
Publication Date: July 2, 2013
AR Levels: N/A
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262540-william-shakespeare-s-star-wars
In a nutshell: What if Shakespeare had written Star Wars? You may think this is a silly mash-up, but I assure you it is pure genius! This one details the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, and I sure hope there are more to come! (I'd go to a theatrical performance of this too!)
I'd recommend it for grades: 6th and up. This book's actually written for adults, but it's clean enough content-wise that even middle schoolers will love it! It may be tough for younger readers to understand the Shakespearean language, but it might also be a gateway to Shakespeare since many of them know the plot of Star Wars already.
I'd recommend it to: Shakespeare fans and Star Wars fans of course
What I liked most about this book: This
is every bit as awesome as I'd hoped! Not only do you get some
laughable Shakespearean interpretations of classic Star Wars lines, but
you also get even more character development through the soliloquies
(especially with Han...who is also my favorite). Perhaps the best part
is that we finally get to hear R2's voice (only in asides...but
still!)!!! You'll find many borrowed and adapted lines from many of
Shakespeare's plays, including a pep talk from Luke to the rebels
beginning, "Friends, rebels, starfighters, lend me your ears" (Julius
Caesar) and a Hamlet-like reflection ("Alas, poor stormtrooper, I knew
ye not."). If you like Star Wars and Shakespeare, you'll kick yourself
if you don't read this.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This line Han delivers after the shoot-out with Greedo: "And whether I shot first, I'll ne'er confess." Love it.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Pages: 452
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
ISBN: 9780312642969
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.8, Interest Level - 6th and up, Points: 16.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet
In a nutshell: Scarlet Benoit's grandmother has been missing for far too long, so she takes matters into her own hands, and with the help of street fighter, Wolf, she goes in search of her. Her investigation will not only uncover her grandmother's secrets but also Wolf's, and along the way she meets a girl on the run who may just be the key to the whole mystery.
I'd recommend it for grades: 9 and up
I'd recommend it to: fairy tale fans, sci-fi lovers, and adrenaline junkies (this one moves fast!)
What I liked most about this book: This is the complete polar opposite of a sophomore slump if I ever read
one. Wow! It's definitely better than the first one, Cinder, which I loved!
(Go back and read it first if you haven't yet!) There's just something about the blending of fairy tale and science fiction in
this series that is completely unique and impossible to put down. This second book is a perfect mix of fast-paced action and deep characterization. I worried with this one that the introduction of so many new characters would take away from the first book's characters, but the expansion only adds flavor to the universe of the series. I am beyond stoked about the third and fourth books! I read the sneak peek of the first chapter of Cress, book three, and it's amazing. I can't wait to see what Meyer does with the Rapunzel adaptation.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I've always seen the traditional Little Red Riding Hood as a bit of a naive, silly pushover, but in the opening chapters of this book, it's clear that Scarlet is going to be a firecracker of a second female protagonist for the series. She's a force to be reckoned with, and after reading the first few chapters, I knew she would be my favorite character in the series thus far. Wolf isn't so bad either. ;)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!
Title: The Fifth Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Pages: 457
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
ISBN: 9780399162411
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave
In a nutshell: After surviving four waves of a deadly alien invasion that has wiped out the majority of the world's population through lack of power, tidal waves, and a plague, Cassie is determined to stay alive and rescue her kid brother Sammy, but waiting for the fifth wave is like waiting for the other shoe to drop, and Cassie can trust no one...can she?
I'd recommend this for grades: 10 and up (strong language and lots of death and violence obviously)
I'd recommend it to: science fiction fans (especially Doctor Who and X-Files fans), Hunger Games and I Am Number Four fans, and conspiracy theorists ;)
What I liked most about this book: This book has everything you could want in a great young adult novel: aliens, love, sarcastic humor, cute boys, a strong female lead, thrilling mystery, plot twists, government secrets, angst, interesting/loveable/hateable characters, and most of all excellent writing! This one exceeded my already high expectations based on all the hype it's getting! Read it!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): When Cassie's describing what she's got packed in her survival kit, she pokes fun at herself about including a toothbrush and toothpaste. She's determined that if she's going to be murdered by aliens, she's at least going to go out with clean teeth. Haha! Cassie's snarky comments are part of my favorite thing about her character and this book. She's like Katniss but sassier.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!!! I can hardly wait for the next one!
Stefanie's outpacing me with reviews, but summer break is almost here for me. In the spirit of that, I tried to find a good book/series that everyone could read over the summer. James Patterson's Daniel X series has been around for a while, but he keeps churning out new novels in the series and even some graphic novel versions. I was wrong. Not only was the plot not that good, but it seemed like a giant infomercial for 1000 different products/movies/TV shows/games, with on average one pop culture reference per page.
Title: The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, Book 1
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 238
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
ISBN: 9780316002929
Publication Date: July 21, 2008
AR Levels: Book Level--4.6; Interest Level--6th+; Points--5.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2235597.The_Dangerous_Days_of_Daniel_X
In a nutshell: Unlike most residents of Earth, Daniel X is a hunter of evil aliens, despite originally being from another planet himself. After the murder of his parents, he must step up and take on their role as alien hunters. He has a priority list of who he must take out, but he really wants to find Ergent Seth, the one who killed his family. Along the way, there are bumps in the road, UFO rides, trips to home planets, etc. Basically, this book has the concept of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the content and maturity level of Men in Black.
I'd recommend it to grades: From what I can tell, this book was written for middle grades and higher; however, I think this one could go even as low as 4th grade.
I'd recommend it to: I don't really know who I'd recommend this to, mainly because I don't want to recommend it.
What I liked most about this book: Not going to lie, I was glad when this one ended. There were occasional funny moments, but they were usually out of place.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Daniel's grandmother offered some comic relief.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 1 star
