Sam's
Picks
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For At-Home Access to the
ACHS Media Catalog... |
Hi! I'm Sam, the top reader at ACHS
(so far). Here is where I'll give you some good books to read,
of all different genres!
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Read a good book lately?
Make a reading suggestion to your classmates.
Come look to see what others have recommended.
E-mail your recommendations to
ashleyc@duvalschools.org. |
Realistic Fiction
Title: So Much to Tell You
Author: John Marsden
Rating: **** (4 of 5 Stars)
Review: This book was really good. It
follows the story of Mariana, a 14 year old
girl, while she is at a boarding school.
Mariana's was sent to this boarding school
from the hospital because she doesn't speak.
She had some family issues along the way,
and even though you never find out exactly
what happened, you do connect the dots with
the context clues found throughout the
story. This book is written as though it is
the journal she has to keep for school, so
it has a very interesting point of view.
Also, this book is set in Australia. It
follows Mariana through one whole school
year, and traces her internal struggle as
she finds a way to be happy again. I suggest
this book for anyone over the age of 12 who
either enjoys realistic fiction, or is just
looking for a good, short read.
Science Fiction:
Title: Stranger in a Strange Land
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Rating: ***** (5 of 5 stars)
Review: This book is amazing. Yes, I understand that it is a
classic, but it is one of the best science fiction books ever
written. You don't know whether to laugh or cry, and the
futuristic-feel is not cheesy at all. After getting into this book
you will quickly fall in love with the characters, and even though
this book isn't all about 'space wars' it is an amazing example of
science fiction. Robert A. Heinlein is an amazing sci-fi writer, and
if you are a science fiction fan, I highly suggest reading his
books.
Realistic Fiction:
Title: It's Kind of a Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini
Rating: ***** (5 of 5 stars)
Review: This book is absolutely amazing. The story follows a
depressed teen named Craig through his crazy and wild life starting
when he checks himself into the mental ward of the hospital. As he
learns the ups-and-downs of living in a mental ward, he find love,
laughter, and the need to live. I highly recommend this book for
teens looking for a laugh.
Fantasy:
Title: Palace of Mirrors
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Rating: *** (3 of 5 stars)
Review: This book was pretty good. Not the best book that Haddix has
ever written, but not bad at all. It's a light read that is full of
funny twists and spins, and the end leaves you feeling satisfied.
This book is good for a light read on a do-nothing day, but isn't
the best fantasy that has ever been written.
Memoir:
Title: One Child
Author: Torey Hayden
Rating: ***** (5 of 5 stars)
Review: This book is written by a special-education teacher that is
recounting past experiences in the classroom. This particular memoir
is about how she reached out to a girl named Sheila, and helped to
influence this child for life.
Classic:
Title: Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Rating: *** (3 of 5 stars)
Review: This book was good. I have read better "classics" before in
my life, but from a readers point of view, it was good enough. This
book follows the four March sisters through their teenage years, and
up to when they get married (and a little past that point too). Now,
I really would NOT recommend this book to feminists, but if someone
is looking for an old-fashioned romantic read, I'd suggest it. Well,
as long as you don't mind if it is a little wordy.
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