when the black girl sings by Bil wright

Loooved this book! simply because I related to her...uuumm and read it three times!

This was a really touching book about a black girl, Lahni, who was adopted by a white couple when she was a baby. She's in the 8th grade now, and is trying to figure out who she really is while also dealing with her parents' failing marriage. She finds comfort (and passion) in singing her heart out with a gospel choir. (Which sounds UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING) If only characters could come to life.

I loved the characters and I was REALLY impressed by the author's ability to make the music come to life, through text. I felt the intensity and emotion of the music, even without having to hear it, which I think is an incredible! Her life is full of haters, being the only black girl, guys are too afraid to ask her out, because of what people will think of them, and girls to befriend for the same reason. What Lahni does know is that she doesn't fit in, that her comfort zone involves keeping to herself, sometimes not even telling her best friend, Katie, everything, and that she has to be strong, especially for her mother, and that somewhere inside she has this amazing voice.

Her teacher knows this, too, and wants Lahni to sing in a competition. Of course, Lahni isn't so sure about this, since it is out of her comfort zone, and she just doesn't think she could do it. Then the perfect timing comes into place when she decides to sing for her church choir; what a better way to practice singing, especially in front of a live audience. She not only surprises herself with this bold move, but also her mother. It's finally a place for Lahni to improve, to fit in, to forget all of her worries that continue to trouble her. It is the perfect escape. Just as long as she knows she has her friends and the ones she loves by her side, she can accomplish anything.

I DO wish that the story had taken a SLIGHTLY different approach to the ending, though. You know... I was hoping a guy would finally ask her out and prove a point? From her description you could tell she was ah-mazingly pretty. I'm not too much of a girly girl...but cant help myself and look forward to that, you know... romantic happy ending!

"WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS" is an inspirational story that could make you realise your wrongs and see life from a different point of view (thats what it did for me). The story of a girl who never fit in until she finally embraced her talent and turned it into something beautiful, shows how anyone, regardless of race, or gender, or size, can easily accomplish anything, just as long as they know they can. This is an awesome read!!! and I of all people would know so pick it up as soon as possible (if a teenager)! :D

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

The sole reason I chose this book is because I love the series. Percy Jackson & The Olympians is a pentalogy of fictional books that uses the concept of ancient Greek mythology in a modern setting. The review that I'm typing up right now is the third book, The Titan's Curse. Like all of the books in the series, it is told in a first person point of view by a 14 year old boy named Percy Jackson, a demigod who is a son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. I give this book a whopping 10 out of 10 because it's super awesome.

 

The story starts with Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia rescuing two demigods, Bianca and Nico DiAngelo that Grover found from a place called Westover Hall. During the assignment they encountered a manticore and they were assisted by the "Huntress of Artemis". During the battle, the manticore disappears, taking Annabeth, a daughter of Athena, with him. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, also goes missing while looking for a mysterious monster. Now they must find Annabeth and Artemis before the winter solstice meeting of the Olympian council, since the goddess's is essential  in an important vote on the war with the Titans. Percy, along with best friend Grover, Thalia, daughter of Zeus, Zoë

Nightshade, the lead huntress of Artemis and Bianca DiAngelo, who is now a Huntress of Artemis. They also are looking for a rare monster, the monster that Artemis was trying to hunt down when she went missing; a monster so powerful that it can destroy Olympus.. (To find out what happens next you have to read it yourself. :P)

Anyway...

I found the book very exciting and fun to read. I would really recommend this book to people who likes fantasy adventure books. The book also has intense action, humour, a pinch of romance, some tragic events and a few twists. I would also recommend that you read the first two books first, to understand the story since it's quite complex and could be very confusing. The Titan's Curse is a book that I really enjoyed, and I hope everyone will read and enjoy it too. :)
 

-Joseph Faundo

Thieves Like Us by Stephen Cole

I chose this book in the first place because its cover was very eye-catching and it gave me the message of the book being about adventure, and turns out I was right. This book is pretty much like the movie National Treasure but for me, I think this book is better with more high intense action.

This book follows the adventures of a 17 year old prisoner who abandoned his parents and expert cypher named Jonah and his way into a new, high risk life. The story begins with Jonah being broken out of jail by a team of four teenagers. He was very amazed and shocked at the same time as he did not know what was going on. As the book progresses, Jonah soon learns that these four teenagers also share the same story with him, all of them have either been abandoned by parents or have had a very rough childhood. The teenagers also have a special "talent" that makes them part of this so called "team". Con, a European girl and an expert in manipulation, both by mesmerism therapy and by using her charms. Patch, a fun loving boy and sometimes maybe too fun but a specialist in lockpicking the toughest doors known to man. Motti, he is often judged as the unusual member of the team, mainly because of his dull personality and his sense of style but very good at security, both in setting it up and breaking into the toughest of the tough. And finally, Tye, Haitian native who grew up as a child pirate, martial arts expert and provides transport for the team. With her pirate childhood, she knows all the tricks that humans can be possibly do such as sensing body language and predicting what someone is trying to do. No one can get a trick past Tye, literally.

Jonah finds out for himself all of the "qualities" these teens have through the mischief and chaos they go through. However, no matter how much their skills and attributes differ, they would always have something in common, they all work as expert thieves stealing priceless artifacts to sell and they all work for the same man. A man that goes by the name of Coldhardt. He is an interesting character in the book as he can be viewed in a good or a bad way. A man in his 50s, he is very smart and wise and acts as the team leader recruiting kids like Jonah who's life is almost down the drain and trains them to be expert thieves using their so called "talents" and give them a second chance in life. But for a price, big risks equals big rewards. In the story, Coldhardt leads his team into the most dangerous mission yet and co-incidentally, Jonah is to play a major part in this mission.

I really reccomend this book to people who like reading about adventure with a twist of mystery and filled with fast paced action. I really enoyed this book as it made me feel what the characters were feeling. I give this book a 9/10, and believe me guys if I love a book, it means its really good. Because let's just say that I'm not that person who likes to read much. LoL. I really reccomend this book and I hope you enjoy reading it ! :D

P.S: hope my review's good . Please comment . :D

Vince Exconde

The Red Tree By Shaun Tan

Even though this might just be the shortest book that I have ever read, it has picture as well!! I looked further into the book and read over it many times and i have found that when you are feeling out of it and like no one knows who you are or, no one wants you around, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel and your true friends will help you get to that light. when you get there, all of the other stuff is just a distant memory and you can look back on it. i think that the girl that is in the story helps to convey the stories message and the mostly blank expression on her face helps, because at the end of the story, she has a smile coming across her face, which shows that she has found her light at the end of her personal tunnel.

read this book, awesome message, helps in tough times :D

i blogged about this book because i didnt finish my other book in time.....

Sorry miss.....

Teehee

Cut by Patricia McCormick

Callie seems like an average teenager. She has a normal family consisting of her parents and younger brother Sam, goes to high school and runs track. Although her younger brother is often sick, Callie's life seems normal. But Callie's life is not normal. Callie has a dangerous secret:she cuts herself.

One day, a school nurse sees the scars on Callie's arms, and it is decided that Callie needs help. She is sent to a residential treatment facility called Sea Pines. The residents of the facility have nicknamed the place "Sick Minds". Some of the girls Callie meets there are like herself. Others are anorexic, and some even have drug problems.

At first, Callie is totally silent, not opening up to anyone, including her therapist. But soon, with the help of her doctor, the mystery behind Callie's dangerous actions are unravelled. She starts talking and makes new friends. Callie learns that if she is going to get help, she has to want help. Her doctor helps her to confront her family problems and her internal problems.

Chronicle of Stone : Scorched Bone by Vincent Ford

I chose this book because a friend of mine told me it was really good. To be honest I found the first few chapters boring but as the story went on, it got quite interesting. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

The story is about the North American Indian tribe who suffered drought that killed the food resources around them causing deaths among the tribe. Trei, the main character in the story, failed to do the task of hunting so he could be one of the 'men' in the tribe. Trei was ashamed but gradually, he gained determination and set goals. This book follows Trei, her twin sister Souk, and his best friend Crien into their journey to find the person who can throw a spear like a lightning bolt. Meeting new people and learning their methods to catch food helped them to survive in the unknown world ahead.

I found this book quite interesting and the characters are likeable. The only thing that i didn't like was the slow build up of the story. This book had 22 chapters but half the time, the main character was just in his hut. Personally I like action, and the only action I enjoyed was when the book was concluding and left me on edge. I recommend this book for those who enjoy reading books about the history of the American Indians.

^.^

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling

I choose this book because Jessica kept telling me to read it. This story is the final book in the series. I would give it a 8 and a half out of 10.

The book is about Harry, Hermione and Ron finding the horcruxii (5 of 7 as they have already found 2) so that Harry can destroy Voldermort. This book follows the trio as they find the horcruxii and destroy them. They build friendships and break them they fall in love and watch people die. They descover that Dumbldore had many secrets and has left many clues for them. This book follows the journey that the trio take in a hope to save mankind-wizards and muggles from Voldermort.

The book concludes the war between Harry and Voldermort. Harry learns alot about himself and finds that he is prepared to die to save the ones he loves. Through this he is able to conquer death and realises that the things he thought he needed to live are different and by this he can live a better life.

I thought this book was a really good ending to the series. I really liked the epilouge as it showed many things of the future. I really enjoyed it and would recommed it to many. Some things i didn't understand but when reading through you pick up little pieces and it fits together as a puzzle. The book is quite serious but there are intimate parts where we see the characters that  began their journey at Hogworts 8 years ago.

A good book for people who like wizardry and wars and a tinsy bit of romance.

by Jacqui

(spend longer than 2 days reading this book its hard to cram 600 pages in to them)