Gone by Michael Grant

In Grant’s novel, everyone aged fourteen and above in the town of Perdido Beach (which, aptly, as you will later see, means Lost Beach) vanishes suddenly, just, poof, dropping whatever they were doing, their suddenly abandoned cars crashing. All of the kids are left alone, and there is almost immediate chaos.

Somehow, after taking control in a dangerous situation, Sam becomes a leader of sorts, though he is challenged by local bullies. Sam, Astrid, Little Pete, Quinn, and Edilio work together to survive inside what they discover is a ten-mile radius around the nuclear power plant that is bounded by a barrier they cannot see any end to, see through, or even touch without feeling quite a bit of pain.

That’s not the only strange thing, though. There are talking coyotes, seagulls with talons, and snakes with wings. Mutants–but not the only mutants around. Some of the kids may not be exactly normal themselves…

After a few days, the rich, troubled kids from Coates, a boarding school outside of town, come in and take control of the situation. At first, Sam might be glad to be relieved of the pressure of being the leader, but something is seriously wrong with the situation, and by the time he comes to realize it, it might be too late to save himself and the rest of the kids–especially if, as the others who turned fourteen have done, he vanishes on his birthday, which is a scant few days away.

It’s a fast paced book that is hard to put down. You really get caught up in it.
(also this is the first in a series of 6 books, coming out each summer-1 every year)

Review by Alaina G. – 8th grade

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a story written in 1953 about the future (right now). In the future, firemen aren’t putting out fires– they are starting them. Books are no longer allowed because in every book, someone could find something offensive or potentially harmful. The firemens’ jobs are to burn books. (In the title) 451 represents the degrees at which the books are burned. Read more to find out what happens.

I think other people would like to read this book because I find it interesting how someone in the past is writing about now, and how they thought it would be. Although the writing is old-fashioned and a little bit confusing to read, after you get more into the book, you understand a lot more and it becomes difficult to stop reading it once you’ve started.

Review by Casey I. – 8th grade

1984 by George Orwell

1984

1984 follows the experiences of Winston Smith through his internal rebellion against a government that has complete control over every aspect of life, from what people think to what they remember. Winston’s adventures are split into three parts, the first part dealing with his realization of control, the second over his defiance of control, and the third something painful. If you are a) very sensitive to violence and/or b) easily offended by adult material then DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. Otherwise, go right ahead.

Very few will like this. To put it bluntly, if you can understand Poe, you can understand Orwell, and if you like reading hard-core science fiction/philosophy, it is guaranteed that you will like this book. The rest of you, I know that you will almost certainly hate it.

Review by Justin B. – 8th grade

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1)

Uglies

Uglies is an thrilling novel about a society out of wack. The city includes uglies (normal people who think they’re ugly), pretties (16-year-olds, that look alike and are beautiful) specials, (scary pretties that enforce the law). The city is run on an operation that makes you pretty, or in other words, tall, big eyes, and have the time of your life. Tally Youngblood is an ugly that’s always dreamed of being pretty since she was little. When her brother goes off to Prettyville, she’s all alone in Uglieville.  Not long after she meets Shay, a spunky new friend that wants to stay ugly and leave the city. The operation day comes and Tally could never guess she’d be choosing to stay ugly forever or go on a secret mission that could change her life forever.

You’ll want to read Uglies because It’s one of those books that once you pick it up you can’t put it down.

Review by Amanda T. – 8th grade

Tally Youngblood is just like any other “ugly”, pulling stunts, hover boarding, and counting down the days until she turns sixteen and can undergo the traditional plastic surgery and become “pretty”. As the youngest of her friends, she is forced to stay in Uglyville while her friends live a life of glamour and parties across the river in New Pretty Town. On an illegal adventure to the elusive city, she meets Shay, a spunky ugly who marches to the beat of her own drum. They two quickly become best friends; sharing the same birthday, they know they will never be separated. A week before the big day, Shay confesses she doesn’t want to become pretty, and is running away to live in a community of ugly fugitives, the Smoke. Tally is left behind alone with a riddle of directions to the Smoke, and the burden of Shay’s secret. When the day finally arrives, Tally is introduced to “specials”, the beautifully cruel authorities of the city. She is ordered to find Shay and the village of runaways, or forever live life ugly.

Uglies is the first installment in a trilogy, followed by Pretties and Specials. If you enjoy complicated story lines such as Harry Potter, with cliffhanger endings like the Clique. You will enjoy Uglies.

Review by Genevieve S. – 8th grade

Among the Free (Shadow Children Series) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Free (Shadow Children Series) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Free is a book at the end of a series, so read the other books first.  There were famines which cause an evil government to outlaw Third children.  Luke and his friends decide to join the government’s police, the dreaded population police, to fight from the inside. Luke is forced to shoot a woman who defied the police. He found himself alone without anything but the haunting of a dead friend. Will freedom prevail or will evil dominate, find out in Magaret Peterson Haddix’s Shadow Children series!

I think others will like this because it is an action packed book!

Review by Chris S. – 6th Grade