Jack's Book Reviews

Michael Vey:  Prisoner of Cell 25 , Richard Paul Evans   *****(5 Stars) Science Fiction. An amazing book, with cool characters who have "electrical powers". Reccomended by Glenn Beck.  Good moral values, as it teaches kids to stand up to peer preasure. I suggest it for both boys and girls ages 12+.  Michael Vey Website with video . The second book, Michael Vey 2: Rise of the Elgen is coming soon.

Brsingr (3rd Book in Inheritance Series), Christopher Paolini *****(5 Stars) Fantasy.  MOM ALERT - nice dragons.  The third book in the Inheritance Series, and one of my favorites, Brisingr is longer than both Eragon and Eldest. I seriously reccomend reading both Eragon and Eldest before starting this book, as it can be VERY confusing. I recommend for most boys and some girls 13+ as it is very action packed and probably more appealing to guys.

Eldest (2nd Book in Inheritance Series), Christopher Paolini   *****(5 Stars) Fantasy.  MOM ALERT-Nice Dragons. This is the sequel to Eragon and also one of my favorite books. It has over 500 pages, and I recommend reading Eragon first because otherwise it won't make much sense. Primarily for boys, but my sister enjoyed it too.  13+

Little Britches , Ralph Moody *** (3 Stars) Non Fiction. An good book about a nine year old boy in the late 19th century who moves from the big city to a small ranch in the west, where he has to work and make sacrifices. For instance, he has to go work for a cattle herder for a summer away from his family, and he gives all of his money to his parents, who are struggling to keep the ranch. A great book with good morals, I would recommend to kids 9+.

Journey to the Center of the Earth , Jules Verne *** (3 Stars) Science Fiction. A good book that I read for book club. My sister Katie said that it was kind of hard to read as there are many scientific words. 12+

Pride & Prejudice * (1 Star) I had to read it for book club.  Did not enjoy it at all.  I recommend for girls 12+

Fellowship of the Ring ***** (5 Stars) Fantasy.  A great book that is one of my favorites, The Fellowship of the Ring is about a midget (the technical name is Hobbit) named Frodo who has really big feet. When Frodo receives a ring from his beloved uncle, Bilbo Baggins, he is sent on an important quest to save Middle Earth from the evil tyrant Sauron (who's dead because someone chopped his finger off) by destroying the Ring. Better than the movie by far. I'm quite angry because my favorite character, Tom Bombadil, isn't in the movie or in the rest of the books! (J.R.R Tolkien forgot about him). 12+ for violence . I'll get back to you when I read the other ones.

Srewtape Letters ** (2 Stars) Christianity. Not an easy read because it is from the devil's perspective. It's deeply intriguing and makes you think of how the devil works. Not my favorite book but I'm probably happy I read it. 13+

Come Rack! Come Rope! *** (3 Stars) Historical Fiction. Good book if you want to learn more about the persecution in England during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. Not a casual read because she  Hangs Draws and Quarters  people alot. 13+

Eragon (Inheritance Series), Christopher Paolini ***** (5 Stars) Fantasy. MOM ALERT-DRAGONS!!!! This book  is #1 Favorite Book of all time, and I have read it, along with it's companions, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance, four times, and I enjoy just as much every time. Eragon is about a 15 year old boy named Eragon who finds a dragon egg in the woods one day while he was hunting. As it turns out, it's one of the only three dragon eggs that are still around. The problem is, the all powerful ruler of Alagaesia really wants that egg, and it's not an egg for long. Just a few days after Eragon finds it, the dragon egg hatches, making him the only not-evil dragonrider still alive (to his knowledge).  You follow Eragon, Saphira (the dragon), and Brom (storyteller who wants to train and protect Eragon) as they travel through Alagaesia, trying to find the monsters that killed Eragon's uncle. Just a heads up: al...

Elantris, Brandon Sanderson  *****(5 stars) Science Fiction/Fantasy. This is a fantasy novel, and one of my favorites. Better if read by teenagers, as it has some disturbing elements, for example, the main character turns into a zombie who's dead/alive (he doesn't have a heartbeat but he is still alive.... he doesn't need to eat but he's always hungry.... he can feel pain but it doesn't go away).  Good wins in the end. My 10th grade sister loved it as well.