Book Beat Reviews

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I am Elizabeth. I love reading, and my favorite book is My Sister’s Keeper. I am in the 8th grade and enjoy dance.

The Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding is 224 pages long. The Lord of the Flies is about some boys ages 6 through 11 who get in a plane crash on a deserted island. There are no other people on the island, and they have no adults with them. The boys have to figure out a way to survive on the island, until they can get help. They have to get their priorities straight, and learn how to grow up and take on responsibilities. The boys have a very hard time trying to work together because many of them have strong personalities and want to be the leader. One part of the book that shows this is when they elect Ralph as leader, Jack and a few other boys aren’t happy with the decision. This leads to a lot of conflict later in the book, because the boys don’t often agree with each other. Both Ralph and Jack want power, but they can’t both lead.

The Lord of the Flies is hard to read because there is a lot of deeper meaning behind simpler parts, and there are also a lot of chaotic parts, especially when the boys fight with each other.  Overall I think it was a very great story, but it was very hard to follow along. I read it with my class so there was a lot more collaboration and discussion. I would recommend if you are going to read it, you should read it in a group. I think that everyone should read The Lord of the Flies because it is a very common book, and it is widely talked about.

Find it in print, ebook, and eaudiobook here.

The Elite by Cassandra Cass

I am Elizabeth. I love reading, and my favorite book is My Sister’s Keeper. I am in the 8th grade and enjoy dance.

The Elite, by Cassandra Cass, is the second book in The Selection series. It is about America’s journey competing in the Selection. The selection is a game where girls from Illea compete for Prince Maxon’s hand in marriage. While reading The Elite I could really see how America and Maxon’s relationship changed. They had a lot of feelings about each other, but you could see they both couldn’t give each other their whole hearts at the same time.

Maxon has many hard decisions to make because of who is competing, and what their ties are with other places and people. Maxon’s decision needs to be not just because of love, but also because of politics. America knows that she doesn’t have the same ties and connections, but they she is truly in love with Maxon. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout the book, however it is not hard to follow. I found it very surprising because there were many parts that I did not expect or see coming. I would recommend that you should read the selection series because it really draws you in. Cassandra Cass also does a great job describing feelings, and she can put them into words really well. The Elite is a really good book, and I am excited to continue reading the selection series.

Find it in print, ebook, and eaudiobook here.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

I am Elizabeth. I love reading, and my favorite book is My Sister’s Keeper. I am in the 8th grade and enjoy dance.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli is about a girl named Molly who has had 26 unrequited crushes. She is very shy, and she can’t even fathom having a strong relationship with most of those people. Molly has a chance to have a great relationship, but she also has feelings for another boy. Her cousin sets her up with a boy named Will. She likes Will a lot, but she thinks he is too cool for her. She doesn’t feel much of an emotional connection. However, Molly works with a boy named Reid, and she has a lot of fun with him, and she feels an emotional connection. Molly thinks that people will judge her because he isn’t the cutest boy. Molly has a decision to make, but in the end she makes sure she is happy.

Overall The Upside of Unrequited is a really good book, and you can become very invested in it. It was a very fun read and I think that it is the type of book to read once, and pass onto your friend to read. I think that most people would enjoy this book because it is just a generally happy story.

Find it in ebook here.

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.