Book Beat Reviews

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood

My name is Rya. I am in middle school and I enjoy reading, writing, swimming, and backpacking.

Kenneth Sparks is nothing but a typical, mischievous thirteen-year-old boy living in London. But when air raids from Germany begin to threaten his city during World War II, he is one of the children between the ages of five and fifteen that receives the opportunity of a new, safe life in Canada. The children’s life aboard the SS City of Benarus, the ship taking the children across the vast Atlantic Ocean, is far more luxurious than they could have ever imagined. Unlimited food, dessert, and toys fill the ship and fulfill the children’s dreams. However, the children have to constantly perform lifeboat drill procedures, just in case of the unlikely event that the Benarus sinks.

A bang, a crash, splintering wood, panic, chaos, and confusion are what fill the night of September 18th, 1940. Ken knows all too well the procedure that he is to follow, get to Lifeboat 8 and not return for anything. But Ken must return to retrieve the expensive jacket that his stepmother, more than 600 miles away, bought for him. Because of this, Lifeboat 8 left him abandoned on the ship, and he is forced to board the already full Lifeboat 12. They only have seven days of water on the lifeboat, hardly enough for the fifty people crammed on the boat. 

Lifeboat 12 by the award-winning author Susan Hood is an incredible book based on a true story that is full of family, friendship, and miracles. I loved this quick-read that holds incredible meaning.

Find it in print, ebook and eaudiobook here.

Holes by Louis Sachar

My name is Rya. I am in middle school and I enjoy reading, writing, swimming, and backpacking.

Stanley Yelnats always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to his father and grandfather, it is because of his “no good, dirty rotten, pig-stealing, great-great grandfather.” After that grandfather forgot an important promise, he and all of his descendants became cursed for eternity. One instance of Stanley unintentionally doing something wrong is when a pair of the famous baseball player, Clyde Livingston’s shoes fall from the sky onto Stanley’s head and he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. As a punishment, Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake. Everything there is the rusty color of dirt, and there is certainly no lake to relieve the boys of the hot sun. Each day, each boy is to dig one hole. Mr. Sir, Mr. Pandanski, the Warden, and the camp counselors, claim that the boys are digging holes to build character. But Stanley can’t shake the feeling that they are supposed to be looking for something. While at camp, Stanley befriends everyone in Group D, Squid, X-Ray, Armpit, Magnet, and Zigzag. Everyone except the outlaw, Zero.

Holes is an intriguing book by Louis Sacher, an author who is able to take a haphazard subject, and write an interesting story about it, as he did in Holes. The outline of the story seems frayed at the beginning of the book, but throughout it all of the ends are tied together, forming an amazing story that makes perfect sense.

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

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Review by Oliver

The Catcher in the Rye is a first person young adult realistic fiction, about a young adult who loses his purpose in life. The second book by one of the most well renowned authors, J.D Salinger. Famous American author of the 20th century. The Catcher in the Rye focuses on a young 16 year old boy named Holden Caulfield. Struggling with life in prep school, due to Holden’s lack of ambition for school, Holden finds out he’s on the verge of expulsion.Holden decides to visit the nearby city of New York to find out what he wants to do in life. The book tells the story of Holden’s visit to New York City and his mental journey.

The book was written in 1951 but still remains relevant in literature in the modern era. The plot, though quite simple, holds a myriad of emotions within it. The Catcher in the Rye really captures the phrase don’t judge a book by its cover. Behind the simple, almost boring plot, is a truly great book filled with depth and emotion. So if you need a book to pick up don’t miss out on The Catcher in the Rye. You won’t regret reading it.

Find it in print here.

Unbroken (Young Reader’s Edition) by Laura Hillenbrand

Whit is an 8th grader living in Ketchum, Idaho. He enjoys skiing, playing hockey, and reading.

Unbroken is based on real people and events that took place during WWII. It is an exciting and interesting book that provides a portal into the life of Louis Zamperini, a champion runner and war hero. As a young boy in California, Louis was breaking into houses, stealing, fighting, and running from the police. All of his younger troublemaking was channeled into running, where he excelled greatly. He was so good at running that he went to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After WWII started, he became an airman for the United States Air Force and fought on the Pacific front. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Louis and his fellow airmen embarked on a dangerous mission that led to an unfortunate fate, a small raft with no provisions, and a long, perilous journey drifting in the massive Pacific Ocean. 

Louis Zamperini’s amazing athletic ability helped him survive thousands of miles of sunburn, sharks, desperate thirst, and starvation. To top that off, as his raft was sinking, search planes would fly over him but not see them, and his friends were perishing one by one. The journey ends with a fateful capture and time in brutal Japanese prison camps, where Louis and other prisoners were treated cruelly and beaten frequently. Unbroken is a story of perseverance, strength, and the will to never give up. It will make you want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Find it in print, ebook and CD here.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Review by Oliver

The Art of War may be one of the greatest classics of all time. Whether you’re a fan of philosophy, a classics reader, or just need something to read while you’re locked up in quarantine, The Art of War is for you. Originally written by Chinese war general Sun Tzu, The Art of War has been morphed and re-imagined multiple times since its original publishing in 500 B.C; yet it still holds its original messages and meanings. If it’s not apparent yet, this is no ordinary book, The Art of War was originally, as you may guess, an ancient Chinese piece of literature on war tactics and strategies. However Sun Tzu’s messages are still relevant to everyday life. 

I was at first overwhelmed reading The Art of War as its many ideologies were tough to grasp, due to the ancient vocabulary and translation. however, I soon came to understand the basis of its lessons and stories. The book is enjoyable for many reasons, one being that, because it is a plotless book, it is easy to pick up and drop at any time. Eliminating the typical stress of finishing a book . The Art of War is a book to be enjoyed by anyone seeking a challenge of the mind.

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook here.

Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer

Review by Ella; dreamer, ski racer, writer, and rock climber. Ella lives in SV, Idaho with her mom, dad, cat, dog, gecko, and fish.

High school graduates Mo, Topher, Sam, and Joey embark on a journey where they find themselves and learn how to accept their findings. Along with them is Cash Carter, the 22-year-old star of the hit-show Wiz Kids. The Wizzers (what fans of Wiz Kids call themselves) soon discover that Cash is definitely not the character he plays on TV and has been up to no good lately. The attractions they have planned to go to end up being a bust and Cash has other plans up his sleeve.

Cash soon finds out that they all have something to hide and the road trip takes a twist. They end up being in a near-death rubber band ball situation, camping out in a deserted water park, going to see a band called “Rosemary’s Abortion,” and getting followed by the paparazzi. They soon start to see the not so perfect sides of Cash. Cash’s immature and reckless behavior starts to grow old and the four friends start to tire of him.

When their secrets and the biggest news of their lives threatens to rip them apart, they must find a way to pull themselves back together. They must also accept that their plans for the future and their lives will never be the same. You will not regret diving into the adventure of a lifetime in Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer.

Find it in print here.