Last Summer of the Death Warriors

Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Summary: Pancho feels like death follows him everywhere: his father, his sister, and now this kid named D.Q. has cancer.  As Pancho works to avenge his sister's death, D.Q. tries to teach him the ways of the Death Warrior.

Thoughts:  Eh.  This novel was okay.  I definitely wanted to finish it and find out what happens.  Does Pancho actually kill the man responsible for his sister's death?  Does D.Q.'s treatment work?  Where do they all end up?  However, sometimes the writing dragged and Pancho's inner thoughts were drab.  Have you read it?  Did you like it?  Let me know.

Club dates

With testing and conferences coming up, club dates are getting all out of whack!  Here they are for the rest of the year.

Chess and Manga Clubs: March 7, April 4, May 2
Book and Photography Clubs: March 21, April 11, May 16

I know I'm double booking the clubs, but it's the only way we can all meet once a month.

What is Steampunk?

Steampunk is a relatively new genre classification.  It's a little hard to explain.  Essentially, it takes place in the past, but it has technology similar to the present.  Although, instead of running on electricity, these things run on steam.  (Think about the movie Wild, Wild West with Selma Hayak.)

Here's a great, fun, youtube video that shares more about Steampunk.

Here's the link, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA

The Running Dream

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Summary: Jess is on her way back from a track meet when her bus is involved in a traffic accident and she looses one of her legs...and one of her teammates.  This is the story of how she survives - physically and mentally.

Thoughts: Really enjoyed this book.  I'm not a runner.  At all.  So, while I didn't completely understand how she felt about running, I could relate in other contexts.  This book was totally accessible.  It has a really sweet ending and will make you look at "disabled" people in a whole new light.

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar

Summary:  Scott Hudson is trying to survive his freshman year in high school when his mother announces she's pregnant.  In order to give his new sibling advice, since his older brother isn't there to give him advice, Scott begins writing letters to this unborn creature.

Thoughts: Another great book!  Seriously, they're getting pretty easy to come by these days.  It's a realistic fiction that's relevant for boys but accessible to girls, too.  The friend group starts breaking up, one of them is constantly tormented, and, of course, there are girls involved.  It's a fun read that kept me smiling.

Enclave

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Summary: Deuce lives in post-apocalyptic America in an underground city.  She has just become a huntress when she learns that the Eaters are becoming smarter and are threatening their colony.  Her elders don't believe her and frame her friend of the cardinal sin of hoarding.  She saves him and is banished.  She must now find a new place to live and learn how to survive Topside.

Thoughts:  Great book!  It's kind of a mix of Hunger Games, City of Ember, and The Giver all in one.  Anyone looking to read a post-apocalyptic novel should definitely give this a look.

Rip Tide

Rip Tide by Kat Falls

Summary: Ty now has to save his parents from certain death.  They are being held captive in a sinking township.

Thoughts:  Amazing!  I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed Dark Life.  Ty's adventures seem to leap out of the book and pull me into the water.  It kind of makes me want to be an underwater pioneer!

Messenger

Messenger by Lois Lowry

Summary: In this sequel to The Giver, Lowry paints the picture of a young man who wants nothing more than to be given his True Name of Messenger.  However, the forest surrounding Village (and the people within Village) are becoming darker and more hostile.  As he works to deliver his messages, he finds he has a strange power.

Personal Thoughts:  This book was pretty good.  It wasn't amazing, but it was a good read that I definitely wanted to finish.  I really wanted to know how the boy turns out in the story.  If you're curious as to what happened after the end of The Giver, you definitely need to read this book.