Bookworm Reviews: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

     Christopher John Francis Boone is a smart individual, with just a bit of behavioral problems. But that doesn't stop him from learning the names and capitals of all the countries in the world, or taking an A mathematics class, or investigating a recent neighborhood dog's death. But as he buries himself deeper and deeper into what seems like a simple mystery, much larger discoveries are made. But, will he like what he finds? And how can a mystery on a killed dog change his life?
     In this attention-grabbing novel, Mark Haddon creates a simple yet complex story. Told through a first-person point of view bursting with voice, this book must be read. Although it may not seem so at first, this book will get to your emotions, and it brings up the issues and feelings of everyday life through an intersting viewpoint. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is not just a novel nor a must to read, but perhaps something else all together. This book is a reminder of what we are capable of, and who we can be.

Look at this other Bookworm Reviews:

 Out of my Mind

Skyscraping

Or, check out this Phenomenal Reads with Emily:

 Landline

Made You Up

Bookworm Reviews: Made You Up

     Recently, I finished Made You Up by Francesca Zappia (see Emily's review: Emily's Phenomenal Reads: Made You Up). When Emily told me that I should read it because it was "the best book ever", I have to admit that, at first, I wasn't so sure. I know that she is into teen books with romance in it, and there is nothing wrong with that. The only thing is, romance-themed novels aren't my favorite. But, I was surprised: I like it. This book is now my favorite fictional book, matter of fact. Oh, and don't worry for those of you who do not love the love, for Made You Up is so much more!

     In this wonderfully written debut novel, Zappia uses the fictional story of Alexandra ("Alex") Ridgemont to do all sorts of things. She, of course, creates an exciting romance. She gives readers a mix of mystery. She teaches readers valuable lessons through a book they will come to love. Additionally, she gives readers characters they will fall in love with and characters who they will truly hate. She creates that special bond (as mentioned in my Bookworm Review for Skyscraping) between readers and characters that causes true empathy for them. What more is there to ask for?

     In other words, this book is not just for romance lovers. Nor is it just for those who want to learn something new; discover the truth behind the mystery; like a good read. It is for ALL of those people. For her first novel, Francesca Zappia has done an astounding job. Seriously: both Emily and I find it amazing, which means...You MUST read it now!

Check out this other Bookworm Review: 

Skyscraping

Or, look at this Phenomenal Reads With Emily:

All the Bright Places

Oh, and definitely check out Emily's review on Made You Up:

Made You Up

Bookworm Reviews: Skyscraping

     Everything...everything...is changing for Mira. Everything she thought she knew about her parents and their lives seems to be wrong. Everything she found important suddenly doesn't matter. How can one event change everything? How can any of this be happening?

"How do you learn to fly when you haven't been taught how to fall?"

--Quote from back cover of 2015 copy of Skyscraping

     

     In this teen novel of poetic free verse by Cordelia Jensen, readers are taken on a journey through Mira's senior year of high school. When thinking back to my personal experience reading this book, I remember watching as Mira's life fell apart, feeling bad for her. I recall hoping that she would get better, hoping that she would find whatever it was that she needed to get her back on track. The fact that I felt that way and wanted those things for her tells me that I had a special bond with this character, and you do not have that kind of bond with every book. But, at the same time, I hated her. Why was she doing that? Just letting everything go away? It's interesting that I could feel both feelings for a single character (I think Jensen did a wonderful job), and you have to decide: will you give up on her, or do you have hope?
     Reading in poetic free verse might sound like an uninteresting concept. It's just a bunch of words scattered around the page, right? Wrong. That's because, in pieces with a poetic structure, there is always a deeper meaning. There is always something behind that stanza; line; metaphor...word. Finding that deeper meaning takes thought, and will actually boost your reading skills.
     All in all, I highly recommend reading Skyscraping by Cordelia Jensen. Try your mind at reading free verse. Find out who Mira is, and love her; hate her. Discover what has been kept a secret from her. Watch as one event leads to the next like falling dominoes, falling and pushing and falling and pushing over and over again. The question is, what will become of Mira; what image will the dominoes create?

By Julia 

Check out another Bookworm Review:

If I Stay

Or, look at this Phenomenal Reads With Emily :

Made You Up

Bookworm Reviews: If I Stay

     Mia's whole life is torn apart on what seems to be an ordinary day. One moment she has everything: a wonderful family who loves and supports her, a loving boyfriend, a nice BFF, good hopes in following her dreams in music...and then smash! everything is different. Caught in the middle of life and death she must make a decision that will affect the lives of everyone around her, including her own. Will she chose to stay and live on, or will she go and join the loved ones who didn't survive? In this novel, Mia reflects on everything that has happened to her, and watches the events that happen while her survival is still uncertain. What will you uncover in this book? Romance. Loss. Uncertainty. Joy. Grief. Hope...
   
     Overall, If I Stay by Gayle Forman contains an idea that is so interesting and exciting that it clings onto the reader. For what seems like forever readers are flipping page after page, all the time searching for the answer to the following:

"What will happen if she leaves? If she loves? If she stays?"

Question above is from the summary on some copies of If I Stay.

By Julia

Check other Bookworm Reviews:

Out of my Mind

Every Soul a Star

Or look at this Phenomenal Reads With Emily:

All the Bright Places

Book worm reviews: Every Soul a Star

Every Soul a Star
By Wendy Mass

      A large group of people watch silently as the moon slowly covers the sun. It's getting darker and darker, making it seem more like nighttime than daytime. A group of newly made friends stand together, the performance that brought them together standing in the sky.              

        Ally stares up at the sky, taking in the beauty of it all. Bree stands still, looking up, up into the sky. Jack smiles as the solar eclipse takes place. It's so beautiful.
   
       Every Soul a Star is an attention-grabbing, heart-warming story about a group of friends who experience one of the greatest things in life. They all have different personalities, interests, and hobbies, but they manage to form a strong bond of friendship.
      Ally loves astronomy. Growing up on the Moon Shadow Campground helped her with that. She lives on the Moon Shadow Campground, which her family owns, with the rest of her family. Her parents moved there when she was four, knowing what would occur there in a handful of years.
      Bree, however, lives in a town. She hopes to be a model. Her parents, however, don't see what she sees in fashion. Her younger sister, Melanie, doesn't see it either. While Bree tries her best to look her best, her sister is getting straight A's. Bree plans on many things for the approaching summer, but when her parents tell her about their plans, her life seems to be thrown away.
     Jack is fatherless. He loves to draw aliens. Oh, and he can fly. Now let me give you some explanations to clarify the last sentences. His father left before he was born. All the evidence of his father are some pictures from the neck down. He draws the aliens and is good at it. Not everyone can draw. The flying, well, I shouldn't give it away! ;) ;) ;)

     These three kids, along with siblings and friends, witness something amazing. Through it all they learn a lot about friendship and themselves.

By Julia

Check out another Bookworm Reviews:

    Out of My Mind

Or check out  Phenomenal Reads with Emily!

The School for Good and Evil

Book worm reviews: Out of my Mind

"Words. I'm surrounded by thousands of words. Maybe millions. Cathedral. Mayonnaise. Pomegranate. Mississippi. Neapolitan. Hippopotamus. Silky. Terrifying. Iridescent. Tickle. Sneeze. Wish. Worry." -First few sentences of Out of my Mind

 Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper is a delightful book. I had a fun time reading it. Out of my Mind is about a girl named Melody. She has a photographic memory and is the smartest kid in her school…but no one knows. Melody can't walk, she can't talk, she doesn't have much control of her body. She wants so badly to talk and when she finally finds a way she gets really excited. Join Melody as she takes on the world-one step at a time.

Out of my Mind
By Sharon M Draper

By Julia

Check out another Bookworm Review:

Every Soul a Star

Or look at Phenomenal Reads with Emily:

The School for Good and Evil