The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

The Lord of the Rings is an epic saga about an unlikely hero and a band of questors who seek to destroy an evil ring. The book is imaginative and well written and a modern classic. It follows the adventures of four hobbits (short human-like people with hairy feet,) two men of high birth, a dwarf, an elf and a wizard as they fight orcs, wraiths, evil men and a vengeful degradation of nature intent on retrieving his precious ring at all costs.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: Unspecified ancient period (Tolkien originally developed Middle-Earth to create a mythology for England)

Introduction:

Once upon a time, a hobbit named Bilbo went on an adventure. During this adventure, he was separated from his fellow adventurers and came across a creature called Gollum. Gollum was once a hobbit but had devolved beyond recognition. He possessed a magic ring, which Bilbo pocketed after finding it, and kept after Gollum found out and tried to murder him.

Years later, where the book begins, old Bilbo leaves his home after his 111th birthday, never to return, bequeathing all his possessions to his nephew Frodo. This includes the ring. Bilbo's wizard friend Gandalf explains to Frodo the origins of the ring: how it was forged by the dark lord Sauron, the war fought over it, and the powers it holds, and its evil nature necessitating its destruction, as well as how it fell into Gollum's hands and then Bilbo's.

Frodo leaves for the elven city Rivendell with three other hobbits (his devoted gardener Samwise and his two kinsmen Merry and Pippin) to hold council with Gandalf and Elrond to organize the quest to destroy the Ring, but along the way he is pursued by black agents of Sauron who cannot die...

Themes: size matters not, seek not for power, beware of lust/addiction/greed

Recommended Age: 12 and up

Full Disclosure:

This book is very long. The first part (about one-sixth of the book) is rather slow, but the action picks up after the council meeting, so don't give up on it before you finish the first volume. There are also many inconsistencies and continuity errors for canon-happy nerds to look for.

Rating: 5 stars

Other books: The Hobbit, The Silmarillion

"Who Could That Be at This Hour?" by Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by: Henry, age 13

For all those who enjoyed Lemony Snicket's humor in A Series of Unfortunate Events, this book is amazing. Almost thirteen year old Lemony Snicket is called on a mission to return an strange object. But who is the real owner? This is a crazy mystery with lots of humor and characters that only Lemony Snicket could invent (A word which here means: make up random things and decide they are amazing), including a condescending chaperone, a librarian who is bad at eavesdropping, a reporter for a newspaper that went out of business, and a bratty boy with a slingshot that he uses to shoot birds (and people sometimes). A great read.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: present/recent past

Introduction:

Lemony Snicket, a boy with an interesting education, is trying to solve a mystery with his hypocritical and not too smart chaperone who always seems to avoid telling her first name. He is hired to return a small statue of something that looks like the most terrifying (a word which here means: spiky and deadly and freaky) seahorse which you can see at the top right corner of the cover page. It is a very strange town which mainly runs a ink business that's running out of ink and is next to a strange forest of seaweed which somehow manages to stay erect and thriving without water. And there is something suspicious going on.

Themes: cleverness solves the problem, promise keeping, family

Recommended Age: 10 and up, younger as read-aloud

Full Disclosure: Nothing comes to mind.

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books:  "When Did You See Her Last?", "Shouldn't You Be in School?", "Why is This Night Different From All Other Nights?" are the other books in the series.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Reviewed by: Michal, the mom (does age matter?)

We listened to this as an audio book and the whole family was sucked in. We loved the brilliant kids and their courage in the face of great danger and personal risk. I liked that they determined to work together in spite of being different from each other-- and even in spite of finding one member of the team to be difficult to work with. Their unity made all the difference in the outcome of the book. Some good lessons there. I also appreciated that these "brilliant" kids were all smart in different ways. This would be beneficial if you have a child who doesn't see their own strengths as brilliance.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: present/near future

Introduction:

Reynie, an orphan, responds to a mysterious newspaper ad seeking gifted children. After successfully passing a series of strange tests, he and three other children are given the opportunity to save the world from certain destruction, but it's a long shot. 

Themes: orphans, misfits, smart is good, your differences make you special, good vs. evil, courage, unity, teamwork

Recommended Age: 10 and up, younger as read-aloud

Full Disclosure: There were bullies in the book, but they certainly weren't glorified in any way. The kids cheat and break a few rules in order to complete their mission, but not without wrestling with it first and determining that the rules were there to protect the evil they are fighting.

Rating: 4 stars

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book is a classic that changed America. Mark Twain is a very effective satirist, and in this book he has a variety of caricatures (including the protagonist, Huck!) This book is a sequel to his other book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but they do not have to read together.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: Pre- Civil War

Introduction:

Huck Finn is a boy who lives with a widow and her sister, who have adopted him. The sister, Miss Watson, owns a slave, Jim. Jim and Huck are friends. When Huck's Pap shows up and kidnaps him, Huck escapes and pretends to be dead, when he runs into Jim who fled from the prospect of being sold downriver. Huck promises to help Jim escape and the two friends go off on a marvelous river adventure filled with con men, feuds, murderers, racism, and Huck's friend Tom Sawyer's wacky plan to aid Huck in helping a slave earn his freedom.

Themes: all men are created equal, do what is right not what society says is right, lead an honest life

Recommended Age: 12 and up, younger okay as as read aloud

Full Disclosure:

A common anti-black racial slur is employed frequently as this book was written at a time when such expressions were not considered offensive. This book is NOT racist. That would contradict the book's message (which the author satirically claims is nonexistent).

Rating: 4 stars

Other books: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (previous book), Tom Sawyer Abroad

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Reviewed by: Michal, the mom (does age matter?)

This exquisite book was one that I wanted to immediately re-read once it was finished. It tells the story of its two main characters so beautifully and poignantly. The ending wasn't what I had hoped for, but did feel like the right ending, if that makes any sense. I am glad to have read it.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Time Period: World War II

Introduction:

The book tells the story of two people who seem completely unconnected, but artfully connects them throughout their experiences. One is an orphan boy growing up in Nazi Germany, the other a blind girl in Paris. The author jumps around in time and between the two characters, but it works.

Themes: family, light, overcoming, racism, war, 

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is occasional swearing and one minor character who makes a few crass (sexual) comments. There is some violence, although not as much as you would expect for a book about war. Some heavy content, thus the older recommendation.

Rating: 5 stars

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This is a very good book with surprising turns and satirical and humorous absurdities (like the time period being set after America but before Europe.) If you have seen the movie (which is a classic movie) you will enjoy the book even more.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: Fictitious medieval era

Introduction:

The story begins on a farm where Buttercup, the farmer's daughter, takes pleasure in ordering the farmhand, Westley, around. When Buttercup realizes that Westley loves her, she falls in love with him. However, he has no money so he goes to America to seek his fortune. When Westley is killed by pirates, Buttercup is forced to marry the prince, Humperdinck. However, before she can marry the prince, whom she does not love, she is kidnapped by a Sicilian and his two henchmen, a Turk and a Spaniard. But Buttercup and her captors are being pursued by a mysterious man in black who seems to best the trio at every turn, leaving Buttercup to wonder as to his true identity.

Themes: true love conquers all, death is but a door

Recommended Age: 11 and up

Full Disclosure:

The author presents the story as written by an S. Morgenstern, and the book as an abridgement of the original. There is no such book or person. Also, the author frequently breaks from the story to narrate the fictitious context of the story with excerpts from his fictional personal life, which may not appeal to some.

Rating: 4 stars

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Autobiography)

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Genre: Autobiography

Time Period: World War II

Introduction:

Viktor Frankl is a renowned Jewish psychiatrist famous for the concept of logotherapy, that man's drive is not power or reproduction but seeks those things and others in their true purpose to find the meaning of life. He illustrates this concept by first detailing his experience in a Nazi concentration camp and how his tribulation helped him develop his theory and find deeper meaning in life.

Viktor could have left for America and avoided the whole thing. However, he would have had to leave his parents behind. Reading the first of the Ten Commandments, he decided to honor his father and mother by not abandoning them, even though this meant that he and his family would surely be taken by the Nazis for it.

Separated from his wife, children and parents, Viktor lived in a mens' concentration camp, he finds that the inmates go through three stages: upon entry, they are shocked, and gradually become apathetic and develop a survival-of-the-fittest mentality. When they are in their final stage, if they have not given up entirely on surviving, they become worse creatures than their captors, seeking vengeance to vent their bitterness and justifying cruelty because they have suffered worse cruelties.

Themes: our true purpose is to find it, men must not let the injustice inflicted upon them to turn them amoral

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is some nudity and occasional swearing. The experiences described are extremely sad and horrifying.

Rating: 4 stars

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Reviewed by: Henry, age 13

This book is a good read with spooky photographs here and there. It was one of those books I couldn't put down. (Partly because every time I did, Kimball stole it.)

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: World War II

Plot:
Jacob and his newfound friends are trying to fix Miss Peregrine, who is stuck in bird form. Unfortunately, they are also on the run. The wights are trying as hard as they can to stop them. But Jacob is having so moral conflict. Does he belong with his family, or the other peculiars. The window of opportunity for him to go back is closing.

Themes: Your differences make you special, family.

Recommended Age: 12 and up

Full Disclosure:
Frequent swearing (Less than first book.), includes romance, death, photos (no nudity or immodesty, but some of them are creepy enough to give you nightmares!) Moms: I went through with a black pencil and scribbled over the swearing, which I recommend you do before your kids read it!

Rating: 3.5 stars, 4 with the language edited

Others in series: Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children, Library of Souls

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Reviewed by: Henry, age 13


Genre: Fiction

Time Period: Present Day (mostly)

Plot:
A teenage boy's grandfather, a Jewish holocaust survivor, is thought to have gone insane, claiming to see monsters and acting a little trigger happy. One day he calls the boy, Jacob, and when he arrives, he finds his Grandpa dying. Jacob thinks he sees a monster outside the window. Before he dies, the grandfather leaves strange last words, which Jacob is determined to decipher. They lead him to something he only dreamed about a little.

Themes: Your differences make you special, learn the stories of your ancestors    

Recommended Age: 12 and up

Full Disclosure:
Frequent swearing, includes romance, death, photos (no nudity or immodesty, but some of them are creepy enough to give you nightmares!) Moms: I went through with a black pencil and scribbled over the swearing, which I recommend you do before your kids read it!

Rating: 3.5 stars, 4 with the language edited

Sequels: Hollow City, Library of Souls

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (autobiography)

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Benjamin Carson, M.D. is arguably the most talented and successful surgeon in the world. He has saved countless lives and has changed the perception of black people in the world. His autobiography tells how he worked hard to become who he was and all the obstacles he had to face.

Genre: Autobiography

Time Period: 1959-1986

Plot

When Ben Carson is eight, his mother finds out that his father is cheating on her and so they divorce, leaving Sonya Carson a single mom of two. Ben explains his early life: coping with not having a father, being ostracized for being black, and how his mother, who had a third grade education and couldn't read, took it upon herself to educate him and made him read until he was at the top of his class in school, and how he and his brother Curtis became top students when before they hadn't considered themselves to be smart, blaming the color of their skin. He discusses how religious he is and how God helped him throughout his life to get a good education, control his anger and deal with racism. He talks about his college experience and the tests he had to study for and when he met his wife and how he saw the hand of the Lord in everything. As a medical doctor he performs many revolutionary and successful surgeries which change understanding of neurosurgery, neuroscience and the field of medicine. A famous example is the separation of two twins joined at the head performed by him and his team. The surgery was almost unsuccessful but in the end the twins miraculously survived.

Themes: You are the master of your destiny, race doesn't matter, trust in God

Recommended Age: 12 and up

Full Disclosure:

Anti-black racial slurs. There are also descriptions of surgeries which are not inappropriate but may cause squeamishness.

Rating: 4 stars

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by: Ian, age 10

I love Roald Dahl books because he makes the stories seem real. He has smart, brave kids as his characters, who do well in spite of their bad environment.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: No specific time

Introduction: Eight year old Boy is in his car with his parents, on his way to Norway to visit his grandmother when the car tumbles down a rocky ravine and kills his parents. He goes to live with his grandmother, who tells him about witches and how they are everywhere. She tells him that there is a Grand High Witch and how to spot a witch. When he returns to England, he meets a witch!

Themes: Looks aren't important, bravery, kid power

Recommended Age: 9 and up

Full Disclosure:

This book is scary.

Rating:  stars 4

Other Books by Roald Dahl: Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Fantastic Mr. Fox, the BFJ, and Boy.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

I love this book because it inspires me to read more. It has one other book about Charlie called the Great Glass Elevator. I hope you read this book.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: not specified

Introduction:
A poor boy finds the golden ticket and wins the prize of touring a secretive chocolate factory. Unlike the other children who win, Charlie is polite, kind, and generous. He is rewarded for these values.

Themes: goodness is rewarded, kid power, integrity, family

Recommended ages: 8 and up, 5 and up as a read-aloud

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books by Roald Dahl: James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, Matilda, The BFG, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Magic Finger

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Genre: Self-Help

Time Period: Present

Introduction:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is a guide to life geared towards teenagers, specifically of high school age, detailing seven practices and ideals one should adopt to become successful later in life as an adult. The seven habits are:

1. Be proactive-- you do not control circumstance, so don't let it control you
2. Begin with the end in mind-- plan out your life and decisions
3. Put first things first-- prioritize and don't procrastinate
4. Think win-win-- it's not a competition, nobody's better than everyone else
5. Seek first to understand, then be understood-- keep counsel with others, don't just give advice
6. Synergize-- use teamwork and play your strengths
7. Sharpen the saw-- practice your talents and take a break once in a while

Themes: goal setting, interpersonal relationships, 

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

This book is for teens, but aimed at high-school age teens rather than 13 year-olds. However, while they might not get as much out of it, these are life skills and they will benefit from reading this book. Book also mentions sex.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Other Books: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey)

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

Sarah Noble had faith in God that she would safely find a home with her father for their family. If you have courage and faith, you can be led the right way. Even though Sarah was only 8, she went to help her father. I liked that because I am 8. I also learned that it takes bravery to do hard things. Sarah had to trust and look up to others to help her while she waited for her father to return with their family. I hope you read this book.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Time Period: Pre-Revolutionary War (1707)

Introduction:
Eight year old Sarah Noble goes to the woods with her father to build a house on land that they bought from the Indians. Her mother and siblings stayed behind while they built the house. Sarah makes friends with the Indian children. Based on a true story.

Themes: faith, courage, family, friendship, we can love people who are different

Recommended ages: 7 and up, 4 and up as a read-aloud

Rating: 4 stars