The BFG by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8 

I think you will love this book. It made me want to read more! It helps me want to be nicer to my siblings and family members.

Genre: Fiction

Setting: Giant Country and London, England

Introduction: A little girl named Sophie meets a friendly giant. He takes her to his home and she finds out that the other giants are much taller than her friendly giant. The other giants are also bullies who like to eat children. Sophie and the BFG try to trap the other giants so that they won't eat any more children.


Themes: Friendship, kindness, bullies, friends can be different

Recommended Age: 7-11

Rating: 5 stars

Other books : The Magic Finger, The Twits, The Witches, and    George's Magical Medicine, Matilda, James and The Giant Peach, and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

I love this book because it inspires me to read more. My favorite characters are Hermione and Harry because they are smart and brave. I like Dumbledore because he is funny and wise and intelligent. I hope you love this book.

Genre: fiction

Setting: present-day England

Introduction:

Harry Potter is a eleven year old  boy who lives  with his horrible aunt  and uncle, but one day, his life changes ...

Themes: family, bravery, smart is good, magic

Recommended Age: 8 and up

Full Disclosure: none

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books:  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Pottery and the Deathly Hallows

Freedom Factor by Gerald R. Lund

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was a great read. The speculation of an America with no Constitution was interesting and eye-opening. This book was written in the 80s and it's startling to compare times then to times now, even with the Constitution. It also gave important insight into political corruption and how politicians use each other. The protagonist's controversial political views are also interesting, and I found myself wondering if some people who read this book today would think that the amendment his party proposes in the beginning would be a good one to actually add to the Constitution, and have to read the rest of the book to learn why it would not be.

Genre: fiction

Setting: America

Introduction:

Bryce Sherwood is a dedicated proponent of the 29th amendment bill, proposed to "give government  back to the people." It would allow congress to pass a vote of no-confidence in the president and oust him if he creates an impasse between the legislative and executive branches. Sherwood does not realize how this affects the system of checks and balances, and believes the Constitution should be updated. But then he meets Leslie Adams-- a member of the Save the Constitution group and an outspoken opponent of the bill. Despite their differences, they find themselves falling in love. But Bryce hasn't changed his mind in the least, and so drastic measures are taken. Nathaniel Gorham, a little-known founding father from Massachusetts, comes from the spirit world to show Bryce the error of his ways. Gorham gets into Bryce's personal life-- he appears on Good Morning America in an episode only he can see, he shows up at dinner during an important speech he attends, and ultimately ruins his relationship with Leslie, all the time attempting to teach and lecture him about the bill's effects and the importance of the Constitution. When all else fails, Gorham transports Bryce to an alternate reality. Bryce doesn't know why things are so different: the police are so oppressive, the borders are different (the original colonies are no longer part of the United States) and the Declaration of Independence has a death sentence attached to it. When Bryce finally finds Gorham again, he learns the horrible truth about the universe he has been roughly ejected into: the Constitution of the United States was never ratified.

Themes: know when you're being used, the Constitution is vital to freedom, checks and balances hold the entire Constitution together

Recommended Age: 13

Rating: 5 stars

Enchantment by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was a good read. The message is very pro-family, if not family-appropriate. I can tell there was a

lot of research put into this book, and the trivia was interesting. The story had lots of twists and surprises, and the characters were well-developed. I would recommend this book highly to anyone over 15. There are also a lot of different elements in this book; Blogger wouldn't me put in all the labels that applied.

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: Present day/ancient Russia

Introduction:

Ivan is a non-practicing Jewish boy in communist Russia. His family wants to go to America, so they pretend to be practicing Jews to get passports there. Before they leave, they stop at the home of their cousin Marek and live there until they can go to America. Ivan finds a mysterious part of the forest where there is a circular clearing of leaves, covering thin air and a sleeping princess on a pedestal, with some guardian rustling beneath them. Ivan flees, and the memory does not go away.
Now an adult in America, as well as a professional athlete, Ivan has a good life; he is engaged to a Jewish girl named Ruth, has a career in running and also archaeology. Ivan decides to go to Russia to write a comprehensive book on Russian legends, leaving his family behind until he can publish his book. While researching, he again finds the woods near his cousin Marek's home and the place from his childhood. Suddenly, Ivan finds himself fighting a giant bear, betrothed to a princess he doesn't want to marry, stranded in a land he knows next to nothing about with not even his clothes, and forced to prepare to battle a witch whom he has only heard of in legends.

Themes: bravery is more than not running away, know the meaning of true love, marriage is sacred

Recommended Age: 15 and up

Full Disclosure:

There are a lot of sex references and some nudity, as well as a sex scene (that describes the sensations rather than the actions, it's not completely graphic) and a near sex scene. There is also language.

Rating: 4 stars

Empire by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was an exciting political novel about America's second civil war, fought in the present day. It

opens the eyes to the political biases of present-day America and the premise is very likely given how divided the two major political parties in America are on almost all subjects. 

Genre: Political fiction

Setting: Near future

Introduction:

Reuben Malich is a soldier in the army who is willing to do anything for his country. When he is called to devise a plan to assassinate the president, he reluctantly complies. But instead of being analyzed and prevented, as was the plan, terrorists intercept the plans and carry it out before it can be countered, killing the president and a long chain of officials who would have stepped in to serve the rest of his term in office. With the news defaming Rube and his new protoge, Bartholomew "Cole" Coleman, the terrorists begin their attack on America's government, and reveal that they are in fact not foreign terrorists but disgruntled American radicals who want to "restore" America to its proper state, and make it their mission to overthrow the President and eliminate as many non-civilians as they can. Can two soldiers and their small band of veterans protect America from this new movement? Or will America's history forcefully change course?

Themes: reject extremes of both sides rather than only your own, know the difference between a revolution and a civil war

Recommended Age: 15 and up

Full Disclosure: There is language in this book. It is also very violent and political. There are heroes and villains from both the right and left wing; however, I feel this book is more likely to offend liberals as ultimately the villain mastermind is a radical Democrat.

Rating: 4 stars

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeliene L'engle

Reviewed by: Henry, age 13

A great book that has science and fantasy. I haven't read it in a long time, so I can't remember some, but I remember it was good. With cool time travel ideas, strange worlds, and interesting characters. This was my mom's favorite book as a kid, and she loved a lot of books. Read it.

Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction

Setting: Other worlds

Introduction:

A girl's father has not returned. He has not returned from a secret mission. They do not know if he's dead, because the government hasn't told them. He may still be alive. Meanwhile, she is living with her mother and brother. When three strange old ladies come into their lives and offer to help find their father, the girl and her brother follow them on an adventure they never would have dreamed of.

Themes: Family, kids, courage, 

Recommended Age:  9 and up

Full Disclosure: nothing I can think of

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time

Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book is the last book in the Shadow series (unless you count the sequel, Shadows in Flight.) I thought it was a good conclusion to the series and it was interesting to see how the story played out after the main antagonist had been killed in the previous book. I enjoyed rereading it.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Setting: Future Earth

Introduction:

The major powers of the world are torn by war. China, India and the Muslim empire are busy making alliances and attacks, headed by each country's respective Battle School graduate: Han Tzu in China, Virlomi in India and Alai as the Caliph. The only person who stands between these three nations, trying to create world peace, is the Hegemon Peter Wiggin. As Peter struggles to create a world to rule in which there is peace and freedom, Bean and Petra search for their lost embryo children, implanted in different mothers. And what with the world being torn by war and Peter Wiggin wanting them to help him fix it, it is no easy task. And Bean and Petra don't know how many of the babies have the same condition as Bean, which is killing him even as they search in a race against Bean's ever-growing body.

Themes: The world should be based on American principles not America, power corrupts, a true religion is one that allows freedom of choice

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:There is one scene with nudity in this book. There is also violence and crude language.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books: Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, Shadows in Flight, Ender in Exile

Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This is the third book in the Shadow saga by Orson Scott Card. It was a bit mushy at times but like a book with geniuses in it, it has puzzles for the reader to scratch their heads over as they watch the protagonists figure them out. My favorite one is the double email where the second half is entirely composed of scriptures. Orson Scott Card is a very clever author.

Genre: Sci-fi

Setting: Present-day Earth, Space

Introduction:

Peter Wiggin is now Hegemon of Earth-- and now he's rescued Achilles, the most dangerous, psychotic ex-street urchin from a Chinese prison camp. Peter thinks he can use him to his own purposes and keep him from killing anyone, but Bean knows better. Achilles is a monster who kills anyone who sees him helpless; to have him rescued from a prison (earning his "gratitude") is to have a death sentence. As Achilles corrupts the Hegemony from under Peter's stubborn, arrogant nose, Bean and Petra resign from the Hegemony and go into hiding from Achilles. Bean has a rare condition called Anton's Key-- he is the most brilliant person on Earth, but now he is also one of the tallest, when he used to be the smallest. His brilliance costs him years of his life; he'll just keep growing and growing until he dies around twenty. He doesn't want to have children and leave Anton's Key in their DNA-- but Petra has other plans and knows that everyone must leave a legacy in their children. And Achilles knows that if any of Bean's children have Anton's Key, they will be the most powerful humans on Earth, and he can't let an opportunity like that get away from him.

Themes: Family is the meaning of life, know thine enemy, 

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is swearing in this book. There are also sex references, but no actual sex (Bean is trying to have kids by testing the embryos in a lab and implanting the ones without Anton's key in his wife to be born, so that he doesn't pass on his curse.)

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow of the Giant, Ender in Exile, Shadows in Flight

Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was an exciting sequel to Ender's Shadow (a parallel novel to Ender's Game) that takes Bean's story in its own direction and sees the rise of Peter Wiggin to power. It left me wondering just how smart Orson Scott Card is to be able to put some of that stuff in his writing. You will not be able to keep up with the minds of the prodigies in his book.

Genre: Spy-Fi, military/political fiction

Setting: Future Earth

Introduction:

After the defeat of the Formic "Bugger" invasion by Ender Wiggin and his army of geniuses, the world begins to lose its cause to be united. People who would have the veterans of Battle School to use for their own purposes, such as Russia, are making moves to secure the children before they are placed under IF protection. Russians, posing as Turks, kidnap Petra Arkanian and nine other members of the group which fought alongside Ender Wiggin in the Bugger Wars. Bean, the smartest of Ender's "jeesh" (slang for army) has an attempt on his life made on him when his house is bombed. The machinator of these operations is Bean's old nemesis, Achilles, escaped from the mental institution where he was held for his many murders. In hiding, presumed dead and with the help of Ender's brother Peter, who wants to become Hegemon and rule the world, Bean must find a way to rescue Petra and stop Achilles from taking over the world before Peter does.

Themes: don't underestimate children (especially if they're geniuses), don't start wars, ambition corrupts before you even obtain power

Recommended Age: 13 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is swearing in this book (no F word), and violence.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  Ender's Shadow (previous book) Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant, Shadows in Flight

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

If you've read Ender's Game, you'll love this. It's a parallel novel-- it's from the perspective of a

different character, and it shows his story. But it's not just telling the same story a different way. It's Bean's own story. You can even read it before you read Ender's Game, and nothing will confuse you. (I recommend reading Ender's Game first though.)

Genre: Science-Fiction

Setting: The Future

Introduction:

Rotterdam is filled with homeless kids. Starving, thieving, whoring children and teenagers struggle to survive in a city that is a living hell. Bean is an exceptionally small boy and exceptionally skinny-- he will almost certainly starve to death. He looks half his age. But he's more than twice as smart as he should be. Bean joins a group of kids who band together in their quest for food and help them find the biggest, meanest but most pliable boy who will help them get food and keep people from stealing it. Bean catches the attention of a nun called Sister Carlotta, who takes him in and educates him. Sister Carlotta is working for the IF-- and she thinks Bean might be Battle-School material.

Themes: size matters not, brain over brawn, believe in yourself

Recommended Age: 13 and up

Full Disclosure:

There are sex references and swear words in this book as well as nude scenes (prepubescent boys crawling through ventilation shafts and such, not sexual in nature.)

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadows in Flight, Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Henry, age 13

A cool sci-fi war with crazy battle strategy and interesting philosophy. A good read. I couldn't put it down and wanted to know what happened next.

Genre: Science-fiction

Setting: Future

Introduction:

In the first invasion by the "buggers" the human race was almost wiped out. By the second war the humans had prepared. But technology isn't enough. The government begins to recruit people as young as six. Ender is recruited to train as a soldier. But it turns out he is better than they expected.

Themes: Bravery, brain over brawn, determination, "Wars not make one great"-Yoda, friendship

Recommended Age: 13 and up

Full Disclosure: Frequent swearing by some characters. (S***, B***h, Ba*****)

Rating: 4.5 stars

Other Books:  This book branches off to two series: 
Ender in Exile, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide,  and Children of the Mind make up one.
Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant, A War of Gifts, and Ender in Exile make up the second.

The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis

Reviewed by: Henry, age 13

The first in the Seven Wonders series, this book is for those who liked the Percy Jackson series. I only gave it 3 stars because I liked the story, but the writing itself felt juvenile.

Genre: Fiction

Setting: A mysterious island, present

Introduction:

A boy is having the worst morning ever when he gets hit by a truck. He wakes up in a hospital, where a man drugs him. He wakes up again in a crazy institute, where he learns that he has a genetic disease that will kill him without treatment. He also learns that he and the other three patients have to find magic things that will give them superpowers.

Themes: good vs evil, kid power, smart is good, ancient world

Recommended Age: 10-15

Full Disclosure: not very well written, but nothing objectionable

Rating: 3 stars

Other Books:  Lost in Babylon, Tomb of Shadows, The Curse of the King

The Westing Game

Reviewed by: Ian, age 10

I loved it! It was hard trying to find out who was the murderer. I couldn't stop reading it until I found out.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: No particular time

Introduction: Uncle Sam Westing is dead. One of the heirs is the murderer. So says his will. He has set up a game to reveal who the murderer is.

Themes: Money corrupts people, family, smart is good, overcoming hard things can make your life better, teamwork

Recommended Age:10 and up ( I read it when I was younger and didn't enjoy it as much as I do now.)

Full Disclosure:Nothing to see here

Rating:4  stars

Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon by Dennis Gaunt

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book is an insightful book about the wicked men of the Book of Mormon. Dennis Gaunt discusses where the villains of the Book of Mormon went wrong, the parallels Satan still uses in our world today, and even how we ourselves are like these bad guys sometimes and what to do about it.

Genre: Nonfiction/faith

Setting: Book of Mormon/Present day

Introduction:

If you've ever wondered how the Book of Mormon is relevant to our day, then read this book. This book talks about infamous figures from the Book of Mormon such as Amalickiah, Omni, Akish and the Jaredites-- even Alma the Younger! In this book, you will realize that in our day there are still secret combinations, Nehors, spacious building-archetypes, and other traps that Satan uses against us. But this book isn't just a field guide to wickedness-- its purpose is to arm us against sin and corruption. The lessons in this book make it a weapon-- against the evil of the world. This book is essential for understanding the strategies of both sides in the war we are fighting against evil.

Themes: study the scriptures, follow the prophet, pay attention in seminary

Recommended Age: 11 and up

Full Disclosure:

This book is written mainly for pre-teens and teens-- you may want to simplify some things if you have little kids and want to use this in a family home evening lesson-- which I recommend.

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books:  Bad Guys of the Bible, Warning Signs, Feeding Consuela

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Christopher Paolini wrote this book when he was my age. Now, I can claim to have written two (unpublished) manuscripts before turning 15, but Eragon is close to 600 pages (my manuscripts are about 100 pages each) and way better than anything I could write. He's a fantastic fantasy writer. I loved this book.

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: Alagaesia, medieval period

Introduction:

When courier elf Arya is ambushed in the forest, she teleports her precious cargo a safe distance away. It is found by a farmboy named Eragon while he is hunting. At first believing it to be a large precious stone, he is surprised when the "stone" hatches and a dragon emerges. Eragon raises the baby dragon as best he can and forges a telepathic link with it. However, the dragon is growing fast and gets harder to hide, until Saphira (the dragon) carries him off and his house is attacked by mysterious creatures called the Raz'ac and burned, killing his uncle and destroying the farm. With the help of old storyteller and dragon expert Brom, Eragon sets out on a quest to find the creatures and avenge his uncle and gets caught up in a full-scale rebellion against their tyrannical king, who happens to be one of the last Riders and one of the most evil men in Alagaesia.

Themes: Power is within oneself, never underestimate your elders, bear your name well

Recommended Age: 11 and up

Full Disclosure:

This book has some unintuitive pronunciations, be sure to check the guide.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance

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

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 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