The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 1140L
Genre: Biography, Science
My Opinions: Alright, I might have to add this to my hall of famers as well. Skloot writes from her perspective and the story switches from her experiences and Deborah's experiences. Isn't it illegal to take a patient's cells without their knowledge? Although Henrietta Lacks' cells, HeLa, are medical miracles and have helped us so much in the field, she never knew how her cells were taken and sold for billions. In fact her poor family did not know about this situation until 20 years after her death. Skloot goes on a journey to understand more about the woman, her family, and her legacy. This book is great, but satisfaction is only three stars because it definitely slows down towards the end, but is still a well written nonfiction. Great for school projects!

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Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 890L
Genre: Science Fiction, Futuristic
My Opinions: This is a classic. Very famous and popular around the world. At first it was confusing and hard to follow along because it felt as though Bradbury kept jumping from setting to setting. But, towards the end, the moral was clear. Bradbury's use of allusions, style of writing, vocabulary, symbolism, and literary devices definitely put this book at the top for classroom and book project purposes. I was able to learn so much just from the first page because it had a deeper meaning when you actually dissect it instead of just reading the surface! It also teaches a valuable lesson through describing Montag's, the main character, hero's journey as he changes his views of his dystopian society.

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The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

My Ratings:

Vocabulary:  *****

Ingredients: *****

Satisfaction: *****

Lexile Level: 730L (Young Adults)

Genre: Science Fiction, Futuristic, Fantasy

My Opinions: The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda is top to bottom, simply amazing! It is like the Hunger Games. It is set in a post apocalyptic world where everything part of a food pyramid comes from meat. Blood as a quencher, and meat 24/7. Gene, the main character, is disguised as a human to survive in this world and has been chosen in the Heper Hunt, which everyone wants to be a part of. It is a lottery to choose the hunters who eventually hunt down hepers for their delicious, one of a kind flesh. As a hunter there are many obstacles to face, especially after another one of the hunters has fallen in love with him. Trust me, this book is amazing for teenagers and pretty much anyone who loves the Hunger Games. You may think this is just another detailed description of a book I read and that of course I have to say "page turner" in order for you to try the book, but I am dead serious with this one guys! Comment below on what you think about the book!

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The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 740L
Genre: Fantasy, Greek Mythology
My Opinions: For some reason ever since summer started I have had this obsession for the Percy Jackson series. I read this book in a day pretty much since I had nothing else to do, so it is an easy read choice. This is the second time I am reading this series and reading it again helps me pick out those nitty-gritty details I left out the last time I read this hilarious book. Riordan isn't knee-slapping funny in this book and he isn't cheesy, but he is rather the perfect balance which keeps readers like me engaged! Percy is a troubled kid, who always gets kicked out of schools. When the field trip at Yancy Academy goes completely wrong, Percy's mom knows it's time for him to go to Camp Half-Blood. He arrives at camp where he finds out his friend, Grover, is a satyr. Camp is cool and becomes really cool when he discovers he is the Son of Poseidon, god of the oceans. Powerful. But soon a mystery unfolds and with Grover and a fellow camper, Annabeth, Percy is ready to conquer the impossible.

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The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 700L
Genre: Science Fiction
My Opinions: This is the sequel to The Hunt, which I wrote a review for previously. After running away from the institute with his fellow hepers, Gene and the group is determined to reach the Promised Land, which the Scientist had said was filled with sunshine and delicious honey spilling from the skies. They maybe away, but the hunters are still trailing behind them. After reaching the eastern mountains, which was told to them to be near the Promised Land, they come to a village where everyone is a heper. There is food, happiness, and shelter for everyone, but Sissy and Gene are not completely convinced. This book starts out slow with too much description about the group escaping from the hunters, but once the reader enters the village, everything will change.

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Anthem by Ayn Rand

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 880L
Genre: Science Fiction
My Opinions: Although the beginning starts out really slow, Rand is able to pick up the pace once the setting and characters are introduced to the reader. It is short and quick, yet Rand is able to fit so much rich writing into this novel which really absorbed my attention. It is a unique Utopian world where there is no individuality or the word "I" and there must be perfect harmony between every brother and sister of the society. Not only is it all sorts of shades of gray, but in this futuristic setting characters use only primitive technology dating back to caveman times. One man named Equality is different, physically and emotionally. He has ideas which are forbidden. He has a mind which is unusual. This book showcases his struggles and his rewards.

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Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 1000L
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Opinions: I personally don't like historical fiction, but this book really hits the heart. It is a real life story about a boy named Charley. He is about fifteen and not old enough to go into the army, even though he has a very strong desire to do so. He lies about his age and immediately joins the army. He goes through a phase of boredom at the camp because his jobs consist of chores inside the camp instead of actually participating in a battle. Finally, the call comes and he taken through a luxurious trip to the battlefield. His first experience leaves him stunned. Yet he keeps going on especially with one man's inspirational words. This story definitely pulled at my heartstrings.

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The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

My Ratings:
Vocabulary: *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 750L
Genre: Mystery
My Opinions: After putting the book down, all I could do was say "WOW!" with visual reruns of the book scene running through my head. Ellen Raskin is a genius! In this intricate puzzle, there are various characters who are a part of the Westing Game. In other words, it's a game written in the dead guy's will created by Sam Westing himself. To solve this puzzle, one must find the murderer of Sam Westing to acquire his wealth. Everyone is paired up and among this group is the murderer, of course, a bomber, a bookie, and a thief. Who is who? Who can they trust? What do the five scraps of  paper the pairs mean? But as Mr. Westing says, " It is not what you have, but what you don't have that counts."

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I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

My Ratings (Check my "About My Blog" page to understand the different ratings!):
Vocabulary:*****
Ingredients:*****
Satisfaction:*****
Lexile Level: 700L
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery
My Opinions: This is a great book which really delves into the science fiction world to bring out the best and most original story. It is the same running-away-from-something plot, yet the way Lore adds surprise elements into the story provides Number Four, is what the Loriens call him. However, here on Earth, his fake name is John Smith and his Cepan's name is Henri Smith. The Mogadores are out there after the them, the Loriens, especially the nine Gardes that were able to escape. After a devastating defeat to the Mogadorians a long time ago, Lorien sent 9 Gardes, ones who posses the Legacies, and 9 Cepans, who were the Garde's guardians to the planet Earth. Upon arrival on Earth, all 9 pairs went their own separate ways. The Number given to each of Gardes represents who will be killed next. Three are dead and Number Four is on the loose, still in hiding.

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Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 850L
Genre: Realistic Fiction
My Opinions: This book has ended up in my favorite page because its hilarious and a story that sort of touches to your heart. Schmidt has able to devise an extraordinary plot where a young guy named Doug who has just moved into a new town. Everyone thinks of him as a "skinny thug", but with an ally such as Lil Spicer, he is able to endure the nights with his abusive father, the suspicions of the town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred from Vietnam. Schmidt is able to out together many themes such as love, creation, and survival to bring out a new perspective. This is a must read! Comment below on what you think about the book!

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Gone by Michael Grant

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 620L
Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery
My Opinions: This is a great pass time, summer-time sort of book. I wouldn't recommend this for school report purposes because of its simplicity. It is a well structured book, yet confusing in the beginning. However, towards the fifth chapter, I definitely got hooked. It is about a small town called Perdido Beach where citizens of fifteen and older randomly start disappearing. The story takes the reader through the life of the teens and younger who are now responsible for their lives. Bullies rule and time is running out. As your fifteenth birthday approaches, you will disappear, as well. Will the community be able to survive? Comment below on what you think about the book!

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Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 550L (Low lexile, but really high in vocabulary)
Genre: Historical fiction, Realistic Fiction
My Opinions: Montgomery has wonderfully linked imagery, life, and the setting of this novel to produce a truly amazing story about a 13 year old orphan who finds herself in Green Gables. While Marilla and Matthew, the caretakers, were hoping for a boy to help out in the farm, they soon get used to Anne's mischiefs and her unstoppable mouth. Anne Shirley is definitely what you would consider one of the best classical heroines. If you choose to dive into this book, the humor, suspense, and excitement of Anne's antics will surely keep you up all night. Comment what you think about the book below!

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Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L'Engle

My Ratings: 
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexil Level: 860L
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Mystery
My Opinions: L'Engle is able to use beautiful imagery and words to create a suspenseful story. I give her credit for the suspense and plot which are both equally amazing, however she includes too many details and descriptions in between each topic of the story. I dislike when talented authors waste sentences with too many adjectives. It takes away the essence of the sentence. Sometimes, I ended up rereading the sentence to figure out the message it was trying to get across. Of course, I am not discouraging detail, but in this style of story, L'Engle just uses too much. Comment what you think about the book below!

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Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My Ratings:
Vocabulary:  *****
Ingredients: *****
Satisfaction: *****
Lexile Level: 810L
Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery
My Opinions:I loved this Haddix book. Not only is the character the one trying to solve the mystery, but so is the reader. There is dramatic irony involved which leaves me wondering why I couldn't fall into the book and help Bethany like Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Bethany is a thirteen year old girl who is mysteriously forced to live with her jolly old Aunt Myrie over the summer. Her parents never come back to get her and Bethany is getting worried. She asks her beloved aunt, but she doesn't give a clue...until one night. The phone is ringing and her aunt is out grocery shopping. Bethany is asked not to go outside, but never did her aunt tell her not to pick up that phone. With that one phone call, everything around Bethany changes. Is she even a person? Comment below what you think about the book!

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