Phenomenal Reads With Emily: Made You Up

  Recently I've enjoyed Made You Up by Francesca Zappia. This book is truly phenomenal. At first I only read it when I had the time, getting up to page 68, but then I began reading it more seriously, and over the course of two days I finished the rest of the book. While looking for good books to read over the summer, this book was number 4 on my list, but really should have been at least in my top three picks.

   I fell in love with this book almost instantly. From the cover, to the interesting prologue, and the great characters, this book is literally perfect. I couldn't stop reading! I just don't have the words to describe how amazing this book is (Miles does)! It was so hard to put it down I felt like it was super glued to my hands (fault of Alex). I loved how it was realistic. Everyone has their flaws. No one is perfect. All the characters had flaws and weaknesses, which made the book really relatable.

    Alex. Alex has Schizophrenia. This means that sometimes she has delusions, and is also very paranoid. She often struggles to figure out what's real and what's fake, so she takes pictures. I really liked her character. She is kind, and understandable. Everyone at her old school judged her because she is schizophrenic, so I feel bad for her. She just wants to fit in, and to be treated normally. This is why at her new school, she wants no one to know.

    Miles is a very interesting character. However, I still really liked him. His home life is not the best, but of course he doesn't tell anyone that. He has many layers to him, and even though the whole school is convinced he is a complete and total jerk, he is just misunderstood. He does things for people to earn money, for reasons I'm not going to mention (because it will spoil the book), but I'll tell you one thing: you won't see it coming!

    In this book, I found myself guessing what was real and what was not, and more often I found myself wrong than right. This book is a 

must-read. The characters are well thought out and relatable. The story is interesting and complicated. What's not to love about this book?
    Recently I have reread 1/4 of this book,(this part of this post is added on after it was published), and I completely fell in love with it all over again. The characters are amazing and have so many layers. I love the voice Alex's mind respond to things. For example

"Stop thinking about him, idiot!"

Oh, and how I love how Alex asks a Magic 8 Ball questions. Or more tells the Magic 8 Ball. Some things she says to it are not questions. This book is wonderful. Yes, Miles, it made me cry, but it also made me smile. And that smile is permanent.

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily"

I'll Give You The Sun

Let's Go Bowling!

   Bowling is a great activity for the summer. It's indoors, which means air conditioning; it's something you can do with friends and family; and it's fun! Go bowling with your family and friends!
   Imagine a hot day (it can get really hot in the summer). You can't stay outside for five minutes without sweating. Your parents want to get out of the house to do something, but it's just TOO hot! But, with bowling, you can bring the fun indoors!
   Also, bowling isn't fun with just one! This is an opportunity to have some fun with others! A little friendly competition can't hurt! ;) Afterwards, you can always get a yummy treat. May I suggest ice cream?
   Bowling is a great activity to do this summer. I have done it a few times myself. Go bowling!

By Julia

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

Phenomenal Reads With Emily: I'll Give You The Sun

  You know you love a book when you ask Siri to call you one of the characters names. She now calls me Jude. I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson is mostly about two twins named Noah and Jude, their family, and people they meet. Noah tells the story when he and Jude are 13-14 years old, and Jude tells the story when she and Noah are 16. Noah is a boy with little friends. He draws to pass time, while Jude is popular and surfs. Each twin has a secret that they are keeping from the other. Jude worries if she tells her secret, Noah will never talk to her again. Noah believes that by keeping his secret, he is protecting his family. All The characters are connected in wild and unbelievable ways.
   Now I'll Will talk about the characters.
   Noah: Noah is absolutely my favorite character in theis book. With only a few pages into his point of view, I already felt I knew him and was in love with his character. He is just do devoted, sweet, and super talented. His character was just simply perfect and likeable.
   Jude: Jude is also very talented, she just doesn't really know it. She is an excellent person, that you'd think is on a path to success, but she gets a little lost along the way. She starts hanging out with the popular crowd, and after something happens that hurts her family, and completely destroys her brother, she changes dramatically- and so does Noah.
    This book is great. I finished it in 5 days, because it was so interesting I couldn't put it down. I felt that the characters were extremely realistic and in depth. Jandy Nelson describes the characters like she actually knows them. Also, both characters are very relatable. There are many surprises in their path, all of which you will not see coming. I can not stress this enough; read this book. It will forever change your life. 5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic work Jandy Nelson.
                                                                          - Emily

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily":

All The Bright Places

Or look at this "Bookworm Review":

Every Soul A Star

Stuck to the Screen: Great iPod and iPhone Apps: Part 2A

   Bored of the apps and games on your iPod or iPhone? Well, we're here to help you. Here is a list of my top 10 favorite apps and games.

1. The Sims FreePlay- Free
Description: In this game, you control the actions of virtual people, called sims. This game has many different quests so you can make your sim town even better. I've had this game for about two and a half years. My current level: 34.
 2. Minecraft Pocket Edition- $6.99
Description: I personally don't think this game need a a description. I mean, who doesn't know what Minecraft is? Let me tell you this. It is supper addicting. Every time I see I can update it, I squeal.
 3. Tsum Tsum- Free
Description: You connect Tsum tsums' to earn points. This game is really simple, and a pleasure to play! I currently only own one Tsum Tsum but want more!
 4. SimCity- Free
Description: You build a city for sims and take care of them. For example, they need lighting and water too! This game is very fun. It's so amazing to see your city grow!
 5. Geometry Dash Lite- Free
Description: In this game you tap your screen to hop over spikes and hop on objects to help you avoid the spikes. Extremely addicting and fun. There is also a regular Geometry Dash that is $1.99 and has more levels, but I haven't purchased it. I find no need because I haven't even completed one level yet!
 6. Inquizitive- Free
Description: In this app there are tons of Disney based quizzes and trivia. It is very fun, even if you aren't a huge Disney fan. It's really great when your bored and don't know what to do.
 7. Superimpose-$0.99
Description: This app is great for editing pictures. You can change a pictures background, recolor things, and much more. It also has a lot of cool filters. It is definitely worth $0.99 if you ask me!
 8. Room Planner Home Design- Free
Description: In this app you can make a 2D model of a house or other building and then see it in 3D. It is amazing. Now I know this may not be to popular among kids, but I have always been into making floor plans (I watch HGTV sometimes). I can't believe this app is free.
 9. Bakery Story- Free
Description: All these games are really great. In this particular one, you own a bakery. It is really fun to see it grow. You can customize your bakery, and choose what foods are made and served. I am currently on level 26.
 10. 1010!- Free
Description: In this game you are given a grid in which you place blocks. If you complete a row or column it disappears, and that's how you earn points. This game is really quite fun.

  I hope this has helped you find some really good apps and games!

       
                                                                            -Emily

Click the link below to see other great games and apps!

          Stuck To The Screen Part 1

Make a Summer To-Do List

     What do you plan to do this summer vacation? Clean. Draw. Write. Play. The possibilities are endless! To keep track of all of these wonderful things (that you MUST do), you can create a summer to-do list! It's easy, simple, and can be fun! But most importantly, it will serve as a reminder of all of your goals.

Step 1: Think! :) Obviously, before you make the to-do list, you have to think about everything you going to put on it! While you probably already have a good idea of what you want, allow me to list a few suggestions below!

• Read (our book suggestions can be found on our books page)
• Draw, paint, color, or sketch
• Tidy up your room
• Have sleepovers (check out our sleepovers label)

Step 2: Gather your supplies! Once you have thought of most of your plans (you'll probably think of more along the way!), it's time to get all needed materials!

• Paper (lined or blank; you pick)
• Different colored pens or pencils
• Any decorations or pictures you may want to add (ex. paper flowers, beads, etc.)
• Glue (used to apply decorations)

Step 3: ***CREATE*** the to-do list! This is the best step for me, and maybe you too! When you make your to-do list, don't just make it in one color! You can organize your goals while making it pretty just by doing this! For example, you can use orange for craft-related goals, purple for "chore"-related ones (ex. cleaning), blue for goals that involve reading, and green for social goals (goals that have to do with other people). You can do whatever you want to do! Use different colors and categories if you wish! Don't forget to include the check boxes! When your done writing down these plans, you get to ~~DECORATE~~ your list! Color, add, draw...I'll leave it up to you! ;)

Step 4: Hang up your to-do list! Where is a good spot for you? On your whiteboard? Wall? Bulletin board? Wherever you hang it, make sure that it is in a spot that you will easily see it and be reminded of your goals. After all, what good is a to-do list if you never look at it?

*~*~*~*CONGRATULATIONS*~*~*~*

You have successfully created your own summer to-do list!

I hope this will be helpful to you during your summer vacation.

Don't forget to check off completed to-do's!

By Julia

Love it? Loved it? Did it? Comment below and share with friends! :)

Phenomenal Reads With Emily: All The Bright Places

 

  Recently I have read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Let me tell you this: I could not put it down. I finished this book in about 3 days, not because it was a quick read, but because I literally could not put it down. All The Bright Places is about two teens: Theodore Finch (Theodore Freak) and Violet Markey (Violet Remarkey-able). They first meet at a bell tower at their high school, and save each other from jumping off. Violet is depressed because her sister died, and she blames herself. Finch is mentally ill, and has been bullied most of his life. When they team up on a school project, they become friends. This is where their beautiful and tragic story starts.

   I came across this book looking for novels to enjoy over the summer. In an hour of looking, I found myself  with a long list of a little over 15 books, with All The Bright Places at the very top. I was so anxious to get my hands on this book, that I got it from the library the very next day. Jennifer Niven is a genius. I repeat, a GENIUS. This book is one of my new favorite books. If you do not read it, your life will not be complete (I might be exaggerating just a bit). Overall, this book was lovely.

                                                                                       -Emily

Check out another "Phenomenal Reads With Emily":

The School for Good And Evil

Or look at this "Bookworm Review":

Out of my Mind