NDA Library Blog

Uncommon Criminals

2011-10-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kat performs a perfect heist to recover a treasure and return it to its rightful owner. Unfortunately, the heist did not have the results she planned. Now she must decide if she can do it all again. She will need help from her crew. If you liked the Heist Society you will enjoy this next adventure of Katarina Bishop's.

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Matched

2011-10-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

How would you like to live where you are guaranteed a high quality of life up until "the very last breath"? Of course you must live under the control of the Society who "Match for everything" including your future husband. If at any time the Society loses control then the citizens are given red pills to take which will wipe clean their short term memories. Cassia has had her Match made for her but she actually falls in love with someone not chosen for her. What will become of Cassia? What will become of the person she loves but is not matched with by the Society? My favorite part of the book is Cassia secretly learns to write in cursive instead of relying on her datapod to communicate. This is the first book of a trilogy.

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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2011-08-26T11:27:00.001-07:00

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Growing up in Seattle during World War II Henry who is Chinese meets Keiko who is the only other minority in the school he is attending. They both are on scholarship and work in the kitchen. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese Americans including Keiko and her family were sent to internment camps. Henry realizes he loves Keiko and promises to wait for her. Henry's father disowns him because of his relationship with the enemy. Henry’s grandparents were killed in the Japanese invasion of northern China. Can Henry keep in touch with Keiko? Can they wait for each other? What does Henry’s father do for his son? How does jazz music bind their stories together?

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Girl Stolen

2011-07-29T07:41:00.001-07:00

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What if you were blind, sick with pneumonia, lying under blankets in the backseat of your step mom's car while she went in to pick up your prescription and were mistakenly kidnapped! This is 16 year old Cheyenne's dilemma. Griffin thought he had it made when he finds a luxury car left running with the keys in the ignition. He has no idea in addition to being a car thief he is now a kidnapper. Follow the perils facing each of these characters in this page turner!

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The Last Little Blue Envelope

2011-07-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Last Little Blue Envelope is a sequel to the book Thirteen Envelopes. Ginny's adventure planned by her deceased Aunt continues now that the stolen 13th envelope has been recovered. Ginny returns to London and is reunited with her boyfriend Keith and her Aunt's husband Richard. The 13th envelope is in the hands of a would-be blackmailer, Oliver. What plans have been made for her by Aunt Peg in the last envelope? What plans have been made for her by Oliver?

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Kabul Beauty School

2011-06-25T17:13:00.001-07:00

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another story of women living in Kabul under Taliban rule. A volunteer beautician opens a school to train Afghanistan beauticians to be able to grow their businesses to support their families working from their homes.

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The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

2011-06-25T17:07:00.001-07:00

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A story of how one family of women survived while being suppressed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. They grow their dressmaking business by taking risks and are not only able to support their family but teach other women how to do the same.

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Sapphique

2011-04-06T12:30:00.001-07:00

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you read and liked Incarceron you will want to read the second book in this series Sapphique. Once again you will get to read about what is happening inside and outside the prison. Will the prisoners be able to use Sapphique's glove to escape to the Outside? Will Finn or Claudia be able to connect with Attia or Finn's blood brother Keiro? Even Incarceron has plans to escape.

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Heist Society

2011-01-17T09:43:00.001-08:00

Heist Society by Ally Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fun read. Author of the Gallagher Girls series begins a new series with the book Heist Society. Three masterpieces are stolen twice and are hidden in a museum. Who originally owned the paintings? Who will recover the paintings? How will they be "stolen back"? This is what the reader finds out in this page turner filled with plotting and scheming.

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Incarceron

2010-12-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is he a prince or just a prisoner? Is Incarceron an utopian society, a hideous prison, a living being, a world of its own, or all of the above? Must Claudia the daughter of the Warden follow through with the arranged marriage to the "dead" prince's horrible brother and be next inline to be queen? There are two special keys which will answer all of these questions. The sequel Sapphique debuts in late December of 2010. This book received a Starred Review from School Library Journal.

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Life As We Knew It

2010-11-30T05:08:00.000-08:00

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you think you are having a bad day read this book; life could be worse. You will also appreciate the moon and sunny days much more than you ever did before. This is a survival story.

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Adoration of Jenna Fox

2010-09-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is in the future. Your parents are in the position and saved your life by some unethical means. They still have you but they must keep you isolated so the authorities do not find out how and why you are still alive and what backup plan they have in place for you. Is 10% of the real you enough and who is in control of the life you have?

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Mockingjay

2010-09-13T07:05:00.001-07:00

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The final book of The Hunger Games trilogy is as good as the first book. Mockingjay is full of suspense and plot twists as Katniss leads the rebels against the Capitol. The book graphically describes the violence of this war both physically and mentally. Gratefully, the reader will experience a sense of hope for the future at the end of the series.

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The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

2010-06-30T11:05:00.001-07:00

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
This novella was publishable only because of the impending release of the Eclipse movie.

Bree one of Victoria's newly created vampires tells her story. She describes the painful vampire conversion, life among the newborns, and the incredible thirst for blood. The reader discovers the events that lead to her final meeting with Bella.

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A Northern Light

2010-06-30T10:46:00.001-07:00

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly is a Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book. This award is given by the American Library Association for excellence in young adult literature.

Mattie a sixteen year old girl lives in the Adirondack area of New York in 1906. This North Woods location is a resort area in the summer for New Yorkers. Mattie's life isn't the leisure life of the tourists she serves. She lives on a farm and works hard to take the place of her deceased mother in their struggling household. Her love of literature and her friends are her strengths. When it becomes necessary for her to work at one of the resorts to help financially support her family she encounters Grace a girl with a secret. When Grace is found drowned Mattie must decide between secrets, promises and dreams.

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Marcelo In The Real World

2010-03-31T05:37:00.001-07:00

Marcelo In The Real World by Francisco X. Stork

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Marcelo's IM doesn't stand for instant messaging it is short for internal music he hears as part of his autistic like condition. Marcelo enjoys going to school at Paterson where he works with the ponies one of the programs offered at the school for special needs students. Marcelo's father wants him to spend his summer before his senior year working in the mail room at his law firm in place of working with the ponies at Patterson. His father believes some experience in the "real world" will show Marcelo that he should attend his district high school and not return to Patterson in the fall. Marcelo's father makes a deal with him that if he is successful in the mail room Marcelo may make the decision regarding his choice of schools but if he isn't his father will take him out of Patterson. Marcelo experiences life changing events not only for him but for his father working in the law firm.

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Speak

2010-03-02T07:17:00.001-08:00

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
You are new. Where do you fit in? What if something horrible happened to you and no one knows? What if everyone blames you? Who will listen so why even try to speak? There is one teacher, there is one friend, will your voice be heard when it counts?

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Catching Fire

2009-09-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Catching Fire is the second book of the Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta both from District 12 were the victors. As they take part in the Victory Tour among the districts there is evidence of an uprising against the Capitol. What does the Capitol have in store to squash the insurgency? What further plans do they have for these rebels and can they survive once again?

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How It Happened In Peach Hill

2009-08-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

How it Happened in Peach Hill by Marthe Jocelyn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
How would you feel if your mother used you as her "Lurker", a plant to gather information? Annie supplied information which enabled her mother to become Madam Caterina, Spiritual Adviser. How more will fifteen year old Annie be willing to sacrifice for her mother's career?

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Wintergirls

2009-08-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Why won't Lia just eat? How does it feel to not be alive or dead but be something in between, "a wintergirl", a person with an eating disorder. Will Lia choose to follow her friend Cassie? How will her decisions effect others in her life?

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All We Know Of Heaven

2009-08-14T18:13:00.001-07:00

All We Know of Heaven: A Novel by Jacquelyn Mitchard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
They were best friends. They were cheerleaders. Bridget was more popular than Maureen and even had a boyfriend. Then there was a terrible car accident. Both girls were so disfigured in the crash when one of the girls died, it was hard to identify which one it was. Maureen was buried and Bridget attempted the long recovery process. But the dental records did not match Bridget's they matched Maureen's teeth. How will every one react when they realize the grave marker has the wrong name and Bridget's parents should be the ones who should be grieving? How will Maureen recover and return to her life when everyone thought she was the one who was suppose to be dead?

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What I Saw and How I Lied

2009-04-17T06:41:00.001-07:00

What I Saw And How I Lied by Judy Blundell

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Think of the black and white reruns of the “I Love Lucy” show. This will help you to picture the customs of the times, the dresses and all of the cigarette smoking. The novel is set after World War II. Evie’s stepfather returns from the war with a secret that is uncovered by Evie in Florida. She is vacationing there with her family and falls in love with an ex-soldier who also knows her stepfather’s secret. Learn how the secret leads to someone’s death.

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The Graveyard Book

2009-04-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
It won the 2009 Newbery Medal which is given to the author for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The Graveyard Book is certainly a creative tale. A toddler flees a murderer and ends up the only living person in a graveyard but he is not alone. The dead raise the child as one of their own but as he grows he longs for the world outside of the graveyard gates. Without the protection of the graveyard his life once again is put in jeopardy by the murderer who wants to finish the job.

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The Door Of No Return

2009-03-15T14:33:00.001-07:00

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Zac lives with his grandfather. His grandfather tells him tales about being a descendant of an African king. The king was kidnapped into slavery from the slave castle in Ghana. A ransom of gold dust was paid for his return along with an agreement with the government to stop the slave trade. Zac's grandfather is murdered. Is it because of what he knows about the gold? Is Zac next because of what he might know about the gold and the bond? Find out how Zac ends up in Ghana with the map to the treasure.

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The Shack

2009-02-12T07:09:00.001-08:00

The Shack by William P. Young

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

Guest Reviewer - Mrs. Monohan

The Shack is a a wonderful spiritual book that takes you on a journey to see God in a very different way. The man character of this novel, Mac, has suffered a tragic and unthinkable loss. The book explores his quest to mend his relationship with his God and move on in his life. It is truly a moving and unique book. It causes you to think about an afterlife and explore why bad things happen to good people.

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A Curse Dark As Gold

2009-02-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Guest Reviewer - Mrs. Monohan

This book is told from the perspective of the heroine, Charlotte Miller, who lives during the Middle Ages and finds herself having to manage her family's business after the death of her father. The story takes a wonderful twist as it starts to unfold into a Rumpelstiltsksin-like fairy tale. The mystery and misfortune of the Miller family and the "curse" that has followed them makes the reader want to read more. The author does a great job of building the suspense and portraying women as strong during a period in history when they may have been considered second class. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read historical fiction and fantasy.

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The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

2009-01-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Everyone in her family has the pet name "bunny rabbit" for her. How would anyone take her seriously? Then over the summer she goes from "normal" to attractive and suddenly gets noticed by boys at her prestigious boarding school including a senior. As his girlfriend she feels his loyalty is split between her and a mysterious connection he has with his male friends. Frankie discovers the all male secret organization that has been part of her school's history and makes plans to take control of it and her her life.

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The Hunger Games

2008-11-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I can't believe I liked this book because it is very violent but it is also so suspenseful and engaging that I "couldn't put it down!" Set in the future the twelve remaining districts must send a boy and girl representative to compete in the hunger game. This game is run by the governing powers in the Capital. The game is a punishment for the previous rebellion against the government. The 24 representatives play a game of survival. The winner is the one who lives. The whole game is televised to each district. What alliances will be formed? What skills will be the most valuable? What perils will the contestants face? Will Katniss kill her fellow competitor from District 12?

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Amazon's Reviews

Recommended by NDA Student

2008-11-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
After her mother's death 16 year old Gemma leaves India for her much yearned for London. Her brother brings her to Spence Academy boarding school where she uncovers her mysterious power and becomes connected again with her mother through the Order.

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Breaking Dawn

2008-08-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Does Bella marry Edward? Why does Bella get so sick? Why does drinking glasses of blood save Bella's life? What relationship doe Jacob develop with Bella and Edward? Why are the Voltari ready to attack? Is there a happy ending to this Twilight saga?

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Eclipse

2008-07-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read New Moon And Twilight quite awhile ago so I was happy to have my memory refreshed with some of the events from those two books in Eclipse. Now it is time to find out if Bella will make her final decision to join Edward's family? Will the lovesick Veronica be able to revenge the death of James? And what becomes of Bella's relationship with the werewolf Jacob?

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Book Reviews - Peeps

2008-07-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is not your Stephenie Meyer vampire book. Some situations and language are a bit rough but it is the parasites that really made me dislike this book. I can never eat rare meat or clean out the cats' litter box again without thinking of parasites. I have Stephenie Meyer's Host to read but if this book is also about parasites I might have to skip it.

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Book Reviews - Does My Head Look Big In This?

2008-06-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
You are a teenage girl living in Australia. You are a Muslim. You decide to wear the hijab (the Muslim head scarf) full time. How will that effect your life in and out of school? What type of commitment will you be making to your religion and to yourself?

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Book Reviews - The Last Lecture

2008-06-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

My review

What would you record about your life and what advice would you leave for your young children if you knew you only had a few months to live? Randy Pausch delivers his last lecture for them and shares it with us.

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