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The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

My name is Zach. I am a seventh grader, and live in Ketchum, ID. I enjoy playing board games, reading, mountain biking, Nordic and alpine skiing, playing with my family, snowmobiling, and being outside.

Imagine living inside a candy factory. Imagine getting the chance to make your own candy bar. Imagine being a top secret spy on a mission. Read The Candymakers, by Wendy Mass and experience these kid’s crazy lives. Four 12-year-olds are chosen to participate in a competition, with the winner getting to make their own candy bar. 

The book starts out from the point of Logan Sweet, the candymaker’s son, who wants to create a candy that goes from chocolate, to gum, and back again! The book then turns to the point of view of Miles, who wants to make a bumblebee themed sweet treat. Philip is envisioning creating a candy harmonica that can play music. And lastly, Daisy, a spy sent to infiltrate the factory, is making the Green Glob of Goop. When a problem arises, can they join forces and save the factory before it’s too late?

This book is so well written, it keeps readers entertained throughout the whole story. This book goes from 4 different points of view, but in the same time period, and that makes for some cool interactions between characters. I would recommend this book for ages 8 through 14, who like candy, spies, and suspense. 

Find it in print and eaudiobook here.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hi, I am Sarah. I am fourteen years old and an avid reader; it is one of my favorite things to do. Inspired by authors’ creations of magnificent places and surprising havens built by simple letters, I aspire to be an author and, meanwhile, nurture the love to write.

Five Factions. Five options. One choice that changes your entire world.

Beatrice Prior grew up in Abnegation: the faction that values selflessness. Now she’s sixteen, and preparing for the choice of a lifetime: to stay in Abnegation with her family, or join one of the other five factions: Erudite (the intelligent); Amity (the peaceful); Candor (the honest); and Dauntless (the brave).

Beatrice is trying: to be a good daughter, to think about someone other than herself. But she must also take into account her own life; her own path. Which way will she go – be with her family, or be who she truly is?

When she makes her choice, she surprises everyone, most of all herself. She renames herself Tris and begins working through an intense initiation process to be accepted into her chosen faction. As she explores herself, faces fears, and makes friends, she also harbors a secret: a secret no one can ever find out. Because in this society where everyone is the same, what makes you different makes you dangerous.  

Veronica Roth builds an engaging story about choices, fears, and ultimately finding who you really are. In a dystopian society, she sheds light on the beauty of adolescence in the extremes while building an intricate plot full of twists and turns.

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook, CD and DVD here.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Review by Whit

The Hobbit is a classic fantasy novel about the unexpected adventure of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Hobbits are small human-like creatures with furry feet that live simple lives. Bilbo’s mother comes from a daring family of  hobbits named the Tooks. His dad’s family, the Baggins, is well respected and “normal” compared to the Tooks. For most of Bilbo’s short life, he is happy and comfortable in his house under the hill. One day, a wizard named Gandolf shows up at Bilbo’s house and asks if he wants to go on an adventure. Bilbo declines because the Baggins part of him loves his quiet life and wants to continue enjoying it. After Bilbo goes back inside, Gandolf leaves a secret symbol on his door. The next day, dwarves appear at his house after seeing the sign. They convince him to join their quest to steal treasure from a fierce dragon. Along the way, they encounter both danger and surprises. 

Overall, the Hobbit is a great story filled with suspense that  really grabs the reader’s attention. If you love fantasy, I definitely recommend this book and hope that you also enjoy it. I never once got bored while reading this fantastic novel.

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook, CD and DVD here.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

My name is Nick. I am 15 years old, and I will be going into my Junior Year of high school.  I enjoy acting, skiing, watching movies, and, of course, reading!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was written by J.K. Rowling in 1997.  The novel is about an 11 year old named Harry Potter.  After living his whole life with his non-magical and very unfriendly Aunt and Uncle, Harry receives a letter accepting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  His life then escalates into an exciting journey full of magic, mystery, interesting and likeable characters, and beautiful environmental world building.  Sincerely, this is the best world building I have ever experienced in a book.  Hogwarts really feels like a living and breathing place, as does the area surrounding it.  The characters in Harry Potter are all interesting and varied, Harry Potter being, in my opinion, the most intriguing.  Harry’s best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, also have unique and likeable personalities.  There is also a mysterious plot that makes the book even more addictive.  Without spoiling anything, the plot will make you wonder what is going on secretly at Hogwarts; it’s a real page turner!

As the first of 7 excellent books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sets itself apart by mainly focusing on world building, and getting to know the characters and environment.  And though the books that followed may have been darker and arguably more interesting, the 1st  book is purely magical, and, as a 15 year old, I will definitely be rereading it again, and again, oh…  and again…

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook, CD and DVD here.

Refugee by Alan Gratz

I’m Briggs and I would rather be outside riding my bike, fishing, hunting or sailing or just anything outside. I also am an avid entrepreneur and am now running my own business.

Refugee by Alan Gratz depicts three children who are fighting for their lives. The journeys these kids take are harrowing, interesting and much more.

Josef is a young Jewish boy from Germany during WWII, and is encountering things nobody should ever have to experience. Josef is forced to move away from his home because of the Nazi’s. Off he goes on a long, dreadful journey to Cuba.

Isabel, a Cuban girl in the ’90s is fleeing her country to go to the United States, “El Norte”, to find a better life. With Fidel Castro,the dictator of Cuba, on her tail she is forced to flee. When they get their chance they take it. Off to sail across to America in a “boat” made out of metal signs and a motorcycle engine.

Mahmoud, a Syrian refugee, is fleeing his homeland because of terrorism. His home as he knew it burned to ashes in the height of war. Three innocent families torn apart by political leaders, war, and much more.

Refugee is a great read! Based on real events Refugee, has changed the way I think. This book will make you realize how lucky we are to be able to live in peace, vote in elections and believe in what you want to believe in. If you like suspenseful books, Refugee is the book for you.

Find it in print and ebook here.

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith

My name is Madeline. I am in middle school and enjoy playing the violin, ice skating and reading good books!

Two young rabbits, Heather and Picket Longtreader, live ordinary lives at Nick Hollow with their parents and baby brother. Then, strange things begin happening. There are mysterious visitors at their home, and a feeling of uneasiness begins to fill the air.

One day, when the young rabbits are sent out to pick berries for a guest they have never seen before, they are unexpectedly chased by a troop of brutal wolves and fierce falcons. Their home is destroyed, and their parents and little brother have either been killed or taken captive. In an instant, Heather and Picket’s lives are changed forever and are left to fight for their survival.

Thankfully, the two are rescued by their uncle and his adopted son and are taken to Cloud Mountain. There, a secret resistance exists against the tyrant who has taken control of their forest. The resistance has been there ever since this tyrant killed the true king and appointed himself ruler. Here, the two young rabbits learn that many things have been kept secret from them and discover the truth behind this tyrannical take over.

This story tells a tale of courage in the face of adversity. It is well written and hard to put down. I recommend this book for ages ten and up. (It would also be a great read aloud for ages seven and up.)

Find it in print and eaudiobook here.