TAB Recommends
Thanks for tuning in to our…er, semi-annual edition of TAB Recommends! Here are some book reviews from your fellow teens. Enjoy!
Eleven by Lauren Myracle
I thought it was very cool. It was also very funny.
39 Clues: #4 Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson
I liked this book because I enjoy mysteries and I also like studying Egypt and this book included both. I also liked the many exciting scenes with car chases, betrayals, and secret passages.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
This book is about a teenage boy named Harry Potter. This is the last book in the series so it is also the most serious and sad. In this book, Harry Potter fights his last battle with Lord Voldemort (the bad guy). Voldemort is one of the strongest wizards of all time. So who wins the battle? Read to find out.
Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor
This book has a lot of creativity in it. I liked the setting of the story.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
9 out of 10. Loved this book! Perfect amount of action and suspense.
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
This book was about a girl named Hazel and a boy named Jack who are BFFs. Jack gets stolen and Hazel must try to save him. I liked this book because you did not know what was coming next. This is a good book for any fantasy lovers!
Haiku for You
We’ve got more haiku to share with you!
Title: This Book is Not Good for You
Author: Pseudonymous Bosch
I cannot tell you
How bad this book is for you
But you have to read
Title: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Author: Ken Kasey
It’s a madhouse, but
When a sane person comes in
It teaches them all
Title: Letters
Author: Luanne Rice
Son’s death causes torture
For his mother and father
Dog sled race no more
Title: Dramacon
Author: Svetlana Chmakova
Dramacon galore
Catgirls, Pocky, yummy boys
Christie fails cosplay
Video Game Reviews
Reviews galore! Here are some suggestions of video games from the TAB:
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – This is a fun game. This game is the story of a land called Termina. This land is about to be destroyed by the moon that will crush the land in 3 days. Only you can save it now!
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – Fun DS game for adventure. A ghost ship, pirates, and the most powerful sword to defeat some eyes.
Kingdom Hearts II – Do you love Disney? Want to battle alongside Hercules, Beast, and Mushu? Play with Pooh? Bounce with Tigger? Rescue the 7 princesses of heart? Join the battle against darkness and keep the light intact!
Music Reviews
What do you know – teens listen to music, too. Here’s what they have to say:
“I love the band called Owl City. My favorite song from them is Vanilla Twilight! Awesome band!”
“Jason Mraz is a great singer. He sang the song ‘I’m Yours’ which was a great hit. The lyrics are pretty awesome and he plays the guitar really well. He has many albums as well as many singles out. He is a great singer, so if you haven’t heard a song by him, you should go do that.”
“Justin Bieber is actually a pretty awkward perso, yet his songs get stuck in your head and they actually have a good beat. His music video with Usher for the song ’Somebody to Love’ is pretty sick, especially if you like to dance.”
And we got a bonus review of the library!
“I go to the library. It’s an awesome place. There is a lot of books and movies and video games. So go to the library and if you’re already here, come back tomorrow because I love the library and you should too.”
Movie Reviews
Just for a change, we asked the TAB to review some movies they have seen. Here’s what they have to say:
The Dark Crystal-
“A wonderful composition of the wonderful Jim Henson’s muppet skills. Wonderfully luscious color schemes and characters you can connect to.”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows-
“This film was pretty good! There were a lot of suspenseful moments that kept you on the edge of your seat. The entire movie had a very dark feel to it. The actors did a great job, especially in the beginning sequences!”
How to Train Your Dragon-
“This movie honestly has something for everyone – action, romance, comedy, and Vikings! It’s a stupendous story and a fabulous movie – trust me, you will like it.”
She’s the Man-
“She’s the Man is one of the best movies. It’s HILARIOUS! It’s complicated but really funny. I personally love this movie. It’s based off of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.”
Rio-
“The children’s movie Rio was very cute. There were lots of singing birds and colorful feathers. Very cute characters, but a predictable plot. Even though it is for children, I still liked it.”
More Haiku!
Here are some more haiku book reviews from our talented TAB:
Title: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Author: Ally Carter
Spying with a twist
Teenage girls who can kick butt
Will you read and tell?
Title: Strange Angels
Author: Lili St. Crow
Vampires, werewolves
All things paranormal but
Better than Twilight
Title: The Name of This Book is Secret
Author: Pseudonymous Bosch
A survivalist
A stand up comedian
Evil alchemists
Title: Flyte
Author: Angie Sage
The book is called Flyte
Dragons and sorcery…COOL!
This book was a “treat”
TAB Reviews…The Amulet of Samarkand
by Jonathan Stroud
Review: Bartimaeus is a powerful djinni. Nathaniel is a young magician’s apprentice, warned against giving out his birth name to ‘demons’. But when he summons Bartimaeus (quite a feat for his age) and Bartimaeus discovers his name, hilarity and chaos ensue as they both try to survive!
TAB Reads…Dramatic (and funny) Books
Title: Romeo and Juliet
Author: Shakespeare
Best part of the book? When Juliet uses verbal irony and Paris falls for it.
Worst part of the book? All in parts in which Romeo cries like a pathetic baby.
Why is it dramatic? There is a lot of dramatic irony within the book.
Title: The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Best part of the book? When the dragon is slayed.
Worst part of the book? When the giants almost eat all of the hobbits.
What part is funny? When Gollum kept calling his ring “my precious” and talking to himself instead of Bilbo.
TAB Recommends…
Here are some 5 word reviews by your fellow teen readers:
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
- suspenseful
- intense
- thrilling
- exciting
- shocking
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
- dramatic
- intense
- melancholy
- depressing
- a tear-jerker
The Wish by Gail Carson Levine
- cool
- unpredictable
- original
- weird
- fun
TAB Recommends…
Bribery works! Here are some more reviews:
Title: Flipped
Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
Best part of the book? Good story and plot; fast paced
Worst part of the book? Short ending; wanted it to be longer
Why is it coolio? The chapters flip between the view of Bryce and Julie
Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Best part of the book? I couldn’t put it down
Worst part of the book? a little swearing
Why is it awesome? Because it is an epic fantasy with interesting characters
Title: Cryer’s Cross
Author: Lisa McMann
Best part of the book? It was scary and I didn’t know what would happen until the end
Worst part of the book? When her friend disappears
