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Book Reviews
Title:
Alabama Moon
Author:
Watt Key
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Erin W.
Age: 11
Branch: Headquarters
How did you hear about this book?
I got it from the Truman Award
shelf.
Review:
Alabama Moon is strange name for a book but you can’t judge a book by it’s
cover. Alabama Moon is about a ten year old boy who lives in the wilderness with
his father. Moon’s father taught him a lot but sadly died. Moon runs off but is
caught and sent to the Boys Home. There he meets two other boys named Kit and
Hal. The boys devise a plan to escape, get out, and live together in the
wilderness. A lot happened in the time that they were together. Eventually Moon
gets caught and taken to court but you will have to read this awesome book in
order to find out what happens to everyone.
I liked this story because it had a lot of action and mystery. I would recommend
this book to people who like action and mystery books.
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Title:
Alfred Kropp and the Seal of Solomon
Author:
Rick Yancey
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Timothy T.
Age: 13
Branch: Thornhill
How did you hear about this book?
Saw at library
Review:
Alfred Kropp, world hero and bumbling idiot, is at it again. He has managed to
save the world only just to condemn it again. Mike Arnold, who had been
"terminated," manages to steal to lethal artifacts from OIPEP's vault. These two
items can, unfortunately, let loose the demons trapped in it. When OIPEP tries
to stop Mike, Alfred loses the special ring (which controls the demons) to one
of the demons of authority: Paimon. Now, only Alfred can save or destroy the
world, as his blood is the only thing that can temporarily hurt and destroy
demons. I loved the action, the details, and the secrets revealed.
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Title:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
Author:
Barry Lyga
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Sarah N.
Age: 14
Branch: Jamestown Bluffs
How did you hear about this book?
I saw it on the online catalogs
Review:
This story is about a boy who is bullied in every single way. Until someone
unexpected falls into his computer meeting by IMs fanboy discovers a new
friendship and new ways of thinking. Gothgirl saw it all and even got proof that
Fanboy was being bullied in gym by Mitchel Frampton and no one seems to notice.
Fanboy is shy and tends to keep to himself but has a mind that is wide open. He
is just a typical guy that is pretty much invisible. A new friendship is born
but is soon broken crazy adventure making you want more.
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Title:
Book of a Thousand Days
Author:
Shannon Hale
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Nina T.
Age: 12
Branch: Tesson Ferry
How did you hear about this book?
I have read four of Shannon Hale's
books before; I enjoyed them very much. I thought I would check out another book
written by her.
Review:
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale is a novel based on the Brothers Grimm
fairy tale, Maid Maleen. The book is actually a diary kept by Dashti. Dashti, a
maid, and her lady, Saren, are locked in a tower for seven years after Lady
Saren refused to marry a man she loathes. Dashti and Lady Saren struggle to
survive in the tower with limited food and water. Outside the tower, two men,
one welcome and the man Lady Saren hates, arrives. Ever through difficult times,
Dashti is extremely loyal to her lady, and even finds her true love. I recommend
this thoroughly delightful book to teens who like a splash of true love,
friendship, and tragedy.
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Title:
The Book Thief
Author:
Markus Zusak
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Devon
Age: 13
Branch: Samuel C. Sachs
How did you hear about this book?
My friend, Lili
Review:
Leisel is a girl living during the Nazi era. She was put into foster care after her brother died and her mother disappeared. Later she is adopted by
Hans and Rosa. In the meantime, Leisel becomes friends with a boy named Rudy. Leisel convinces Rudy to help her steal books to help compensate for her loss. Hans and Rosa decide to take in one of their friends, a Jew called Max, putting their family in danger. It's a beautiful story set in Nazi Germany. It even made me cry towards the end
because I got so attached to the characters that I forget that it was Nazi Germany. I love this book.
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Title: The Cry of the Icemark
Author: Stuart Hill
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Keilah S.
Age: 13
Branch: Eureka Hills
How did you hear about this book?
I was browsing the library shelves and the review on the back of the book
interested me so I read it.
Review:
Blood! Blast! And Fire! is the battle cry of the tiny land of the Icemark. Set in the frigid land in the north, fourteen-year old Thirrin Freer Strong-In-The-Arm Lindenshield, Wildcat of the North, is the heir to the throne. But when the Polypontian army, the largest killing machine in the world, headed by Scipio Bellorum, a general who has never been defeated before, invades the Icemark and Thirrin's father dies in batter, Thirrin must become queen before she is ready. Facing enormous odds, Thirrin seeks help with her once mortal enemies, including werewolves and vampires.
The Cry of the Icemark is a stirring novel that makes you feel the blood of battle pump through you as you read it. It was amazingly written and caught my attention and held it to the very end.
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Title:
Dracula
Author:
Bram Stoker
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Elena A.
Age: 15
Branch: Daniel Boone
How did you hear about this book?
Who hasn't heard of Dracula? But there's a copy on our bookshelf so I decided to
read it myself.
Review:
Dracula is a thrilling mystery story. It is written in the form of various
journals, letters, and newspaper clippings, all of which add up to make the
complete account of Count Dracula coming from Transylvania to London, and the
men and woman who try to destroy him. The characters are interesting and
compelling, and the book starts right in with the horror and is hard to put
down.
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Title:
Eagle Strike
Author:
Anthony Horowitz
Rate It: 2 Stars
Name: John H.
Age: 12
Branch: Mid-County
How did you hear about this book?
From a friend.
Review:
This book is about Alex Rider and his adventure with Damian Cray. Mr. Cray is a
singer and he has a lot of money. But he is insane. he decides to use American's
Atomic Bombs to attack some places so no people would have to worry about drugs.
But Alex thinks it is insane. Damian Cray would have to kill millions of people
to get rid of drugs. Can Alex stop him? The think I liked about this book is
that there was a lot of action.
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Title:
Extras
Author:
Scott Westerfeld
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Keilah S.
Age: 13
Branch: Eureka Hills
How did you hear about this book?
I read the previous three books in
the series.
Review:
Aya Fuse is an extra. Shunned to a life where she might as well not exist,
barely anyone knows Aya even exists. And Aya is desperate for recognition. But
when Aya hits a gold by befriending herself with a clique known as the Sly
Girls, who do fanatical (and, Aya thinks, stupid) tricks, Aya knows this is just
the way to get her to the top of society. But as Aya secretly films her new
friends, she uncovers more secrets than even she expected, secrets that play a
large part in the fate of humanity. Extras is a riveting novel that keeps you
madly flipping the pages. I recommend it to readers aged thirteen on up.
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Title:
Fairest
Author:
Gail Carson Levine
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Stephanie Z.
Age: 15
Branch: Thornhill
How did you hear about this book?
I really enjoyed Ella Enchanted so I
checked out some books by the same author.
Review:
In a land where singing is as common as breathing, the new queen with a bad
singing voice needs a plan. Aza has the voice of an angel but certainly doesn't
look like one. When the new queen discovers Aza's talent, her world is turned
upside down. If you enjoyed Ella Enchanted, you will also enjoy this book by the
same author. An exciting fairy tale with adventure and romance, I recommend this
to any girl looking for a happy ending.
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Title:
Girl at Sea
Author:
Maureen Johnson
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Nina T.
Age: 12
Branch: Thornhill
How did you hear about this book?
I have read one of Johnson's books
before, so I thought I'd read one of her other books.
Review:
In Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson, Clio Ford, 17, is an artist is employed in an art store; it’s where she will work with her new crush. When Clio thought nothing could be better, her mother confronts her that she will be in Kansas for the summer and Clio will have to live with her father. She thinks her father is immature and selfish. She will have live with her father, his girlfriend, her girlfriend's daughter, a grad assistant, and her father's best friend on a yacht on the Mediterranean. Her father doesn't tell Clio the secret on their adventure. In this book Clio investigates and finds the long lost treasure; romances, truths, and friendships are revealed.
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Title:
Good Enough
Author:
Paula Yoo
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Marjorie F.
Age: 14
Branch: Rock Road
How did you hear about this book?
I was browsing the teen reads on the
library's catalog.
Review:
Patti Yoon has always been pressured. Pressured to get straight-As, pressured to
get into the Ivy League colleges, pressured enough. She plays violin, and as her
parents say, it gives her that 'hook' she needs to separate herself from the
rest of the students applying to the Ivy leagues, such as Harvard, Yale, and
Princeton. But in her senior year, Patti discovers that there's more to life
than just studying and violin. She meets Ben, who shows her more of the music
world, and impacts her life in a way no one else has.
I absolutely loved that I could connect with the book. I knew
exactly how it felt to be in her shoes, how it feels to get into 'the zone' when
you're playing violin, and I could feel her hunger for new life experiences.
Definitely worth reading!
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Title:
Jude
Author:
Kate Morgenroth
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Jenna L.
Age: 12
Branch: Grand Glaize
How did you hear about this book?
It was recommended to me from my
brother.
Review:
When Jude witnessed his father get shot, he gets transferred from the dangerous
heart of the city to the peaceful suburban neighborhoods that surrounds it.
Policemen and detectives question Jude about his father's death, but Jude denied
to tell the officers any information because he would be putting his life on the
line. While Jude is being put under suspicion of murdering his father, Jude has
to live with his mom, the district attorney, even though he hardly remembers
her. When I started reading this book, I just couldn't stop. It was as if I was
addicted. This remarkable story of a young man trying to earn acceptance and
trust is a must read.
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Title:
The Million Dollar Putt
Author:
Dan Gutman
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Jennie A.
Age: 12
Branch: Prairie Commons
How did you hear about this book?
I found it was on the Mark Twain Award Nominees list, and it sounded good.
Review:
This book is about a blind boy named Bogie and his learning to golf. After a
successful first try at golf, Bogie decides he likes it and wants to pursue this
hobby. A girl next door named Birdie helps him practice, and he encourages her
to try new things. You should read about how Bogie is entered in a contest for
one million dollars in golf, and the results of this contest. I really enjoyed
The Million Dollar Putt, and I would recommend it to the kid who enjoys hearing
a funny story and would enjoy reading about a blind golfer.
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Title: The Naked Mole-Rat Letters
Author: Mary Amato
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Megan N.
Age: 12
Branch: Thornhill
How did you hear about this book
I was browsing at a bookstore, and the title was so unusual that I just had to
buy it!
Review:
This heartwarming story about Francine 'Frankie' Wallop is a real winner in my book. The book is told through diary entries and (the real reason to read it) through e-mails with Ayana Bayo or Rat Lady. I love the 'real' feeling that this book brings - Mary Amato sure knows the way that a teenage girl ticks.
This is such an enlightening story that I hope you will soon pick up at your local library or bookstore-definitely three shining, gold stars!
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Title: Nobody's Princess
Author: Esther Friesner
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Courtney C.
Age: 13
Branch: Samuel C. Sachs
How did you hear about this book?
My friend pointed it out at Border's.
Review:
This book is about Helen of Sparta. Or better known as Helen of Troy. Helen is a princess. No wait, Helen is a beautiful princess. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, is her favorite goddess. But Helen is unusual. She wants to take care of herself. Read about Helen learning to fight with a sword, hunt, become a lady.
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Title:
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
Author:
Sonya Sones
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Catherine N.
Age: 12
Branch: Meramec Valley
How did you hear about this book?
I saw it at the library.
Review:
Ruby’s mom dies and is forced to go live with her famous father who abandoned
her and her mother before she was even born. While she is in LA she meets a lot
of famous people including Cameron Diaz who lives right next door. When she fist
goes to live with her dad she hates it but as time goes on she learns to like
her dad because he tells her why he had to leave her and her mother. At the end
of the book she learns a very exciting surprise too.
I love this book and it is a great book to read!!!
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Title:
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon
Author:
Dave Barry and
Ridley Pearson
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Mona T.
Age: 13
Branch: Oak Bend
How did you hear about this book?
It was the third in a series
Review:
This book is the last of the books that explain how Never Land and Peter Pan were meant to be. My favorite part was when Molly went to find out who this Mr. Pan was, and found out it was Peter's father, an orphan boy she met on a ship in the first book. Another one of my favorite parts was when Hook and Molly's father, Leonard Aster, and one of Mr. Aster's associates got together and fought there way out of the Rundoon castle and back to the flying ship that would soon be stuck on the castle wall surrounding the palace at Rundoon. A great part was when Peter, the Lost Boys, and Hook were caught by Lord Ombra, and Hook was so scared that he didn't even look at Peter with the look of hate, but with fear.
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Title:
Pucker
Author:
Melanie Gideon
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Jamie V.
Age: 13
Branch: Cliff Cave
How did you hear about this book?
The title and cover caught my eye and it sounded interesting. I just saw it
while I was looking around in the library.
Review:
This book is about the struggle that a teenage boy must endure to save his sick
mother. The twist is...
He must travel to a different world to accomplish his task. He is faced with the
choice of whether or not to go back to his mother, for her remedy has been
destroyed. He has fallen in love in his old world and his mother was deceitful
to him since the beginning. What will he choose? This book is too good to give
away the ending, so you'll have to read it to find out the ending.
I recommend this book to anyone, but it would be good for someone who doesn't
enjoy reading, for it is an easy read and it really captivates your interest
from the start.
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Title:
The Red Necklace: a story of the French Revolution
Author:
Sally Gardner
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Sierra G.
Age: 17
Branch: Oak Bend
How did you hear about this book?
I just picked it up off the library shelves.
Review:
The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner is an extraordinary tale of unquenchable
courage, mysterious magic, and most of all, the upheaval of revolution. The year
is 1789 and the voices of rebellion are crying out in the streets of Paris,
while the oblivious gentry continue with their frivolous activates. In the midst
of this upheaval and changing social political revolution a boy and girl must
discover their true path and find the courage to walk it, no matter where its
twists and turns may lead. Even though these two travelers meet only briefly in
the winter of 1789, their paths are irreconcilably joined and as the story
continues, those paths will cross again.
The boy is Yann Margoza, our courageous Gypsy protagonist. In 1789 he must flee
Paris, for his talents of reading minds and knowing what will happen has got him
in trouble with Count Kallioski. The girl, Sido, a young aristocrat, must come
to terms with her improvident father s lack of concern for his only daughter.
Over the next four years both will try to forget their problems; only to be
drawn back together in a desperate attempt to escape the streets Paris at the
beginning of the Rain of Terror.
All in All, The Red Necklace is a fabulous book; with adventure, unbeatable
odds, and a pinch of romance, not to mention a sprinkle of Gypsy Magic. I know I
devoured every word and am dying to get my hands on the sequel.
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Title:
Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports
Author:
James Patterson
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Coery C.
Age: 13
Branch: Indian Trails
How did you hear about this book?
My grandmother introduced them to me
when she saw them at a store.
Review:
Join in the world of Maximum ride, a 15- year-old girl who’s on a mission to
save the world. She and her loyal flock Fang, Iggy, Gasman (Gazzy), Nudge,
Total,and Angel are on the run from the evil school, and their organization.
Kicking the butts of the terrible erasers, and adding their own special twist to
the whole heroism thing. But there is one major fact that makes them different
from all of the other kids in the world, they are butt-kickin', high-flyin',
gun-shootin', wing- snapin', hybrids. . . that’s right, they can fly. I would
definitely recommend this book who loves thrillers, and action packed books, and
especially to people who looooove to laugh. Max is very funny.
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Title:
Supernaturalist
Author:
Eoin Colfer
Rate It: 2 Stars
Name: Jack S.
Age: 13
Branch: Thornhill
How did you hear about this book?
My grandfather gave it to me.
Review:
This book is set in the future and is about a teenage delinquent named Cosmo who is running from a bad man. He has a near death experience and sees a little blue parasite sucking the life out of him. He is saved by three soon to be friends named Stefan, the leader of their little group, Mona, a teenage car mechanic who Cosmo finds a liking to, and Ditto, a Bartoli Baby. They form a group called the supernaturalists to fight the little blue parasites. But they find out something that will change all of what they believe in forever. This book is full of adventure, magic, betrayal. You'll love this book if you like adventure.
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Title:
Truancy
Author:
Isamu Fukui
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Jenna L.
Age: 12
Branch: Grand Glaize
How did you hear about this book?
I was looking for a book to read when I saw Truancy. So I picked the book up and read the summary of the story in the flap. The summary seemed very interesting so I decided to check it out.
Review:
This book is about a boy named Tack who lives in a city that is controlled by the Mayor and Educators. In this society, city, the Mayor and Educators take control of the schools and the city by threatening the students or adults with execution. But if the citizens still disagree with the Mayor and Educators they will be SEVERELY punished. When Tack hears about a rebellious group of children, the Truancy, he trains with another boy named Umasi and becomes his apprentice. As this tale goes on, Tack fights his way to freedom for the city.
I would recommend this book to teens who like reading books with sword fighting, explosives, a sprinkle of sadness, and a hint of romance.
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Title:
The
True Meaning of Smekday
Author:
Adam Rex
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Laurel B.
Age: 11
Branch: Daniel Boone
How did you hear about this book?
Review:
The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex, is a book about a biracial girl named
Gratuity Gucci. When an alien race, called the Boov, invades Earth and claims it
as their own, therefore relocating each nation to a single location, Gratuity,
also known as Tip by her friends and a Boov named J.Lo she meets along her
journey, is separated from her mother. With J.Lo's help, Gratuity meets new
people and saves the world from a much more terrible, harsh alien race named the
Gorg.
My reaction to this science fiction novel is that I just couldn’t put it down.
It sounds too much like a real girl with real problems, though some of them
aren’t so realistic. Having to save the entire human race from being killed
isn’t exactly something I do on a daily basis. She has a cat named Pig and an
alien named J.Lo? How much funnier can you get? In my opinion, this is
definitely an all around great book.
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Title:
24 Girls in 7 Days
Author:
Alex Bradley
Rate It: 2 Stars
Name: Alexa B.
Age: 14
Branch: Weber Road
How did you hear about this book?
I found it at the library.
Review:
24 Girls in 7 Days??? Is that possible? Well for Jack Grammar it is! Jack is
looking for a date to the prom, so his friends post an ad on the school website
hoping it will help Jack get a date, and it does they get about 200 responses
and Jack must choose 1 girl to take to prom. But there is one other thing on
Jack's mind... FancyPants.. the secret someone who is helping Jack on his quest.
Will Jack get the date??? Will he find FancyPants?? You'll have to read the book
to find out!!!
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Title: Twilight
Author:
Stephanie Meyer
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Elizabeth Y.
Age: 15
Branch: Headquarters
How did you hear about this book?
I was surfing Barnes and Nobel for reading material and this was recommended for teens that enjoy romance.
Review:
The book is about a girl named Bella who moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks Washington. On her first day of school she meets a particular group of teens, the Cullens. All of the Cullens share qualities of beauty and differences she's never seen before,
particularly the youngest one named Edward. Since their first meeting, Bella is thrown into a series of exciting events, a burning romance, and that things you thought to have existed might just exist.
I love this book, above even the other two. It's the kind of story that satisfied all the things I look for in a book, two of which are suspense and romance. The characters are built so well that it makes Twilight run smoothly and freely, but there is enough room for the imagination that any girl can imagine her own Edward and any guy can imagine himself as a vampire hero.
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Title: Waiting
for Normal
Author:
Leslie Connor
Rate It: 2 Stars
Name: Kaylie D.
Age: 13
Branch: Headquarters
How did you hear about this book?
I was just browsing at the Library and the title of the book looked good. Then I
picked it up and read the back and knew I had a winner!
Review:
This book s is about a girl named Addie. The book basically tells her story and
how life can be difficult sometimes. First her mom and step dad get a divorce.
This is REALLY hard for her because her half sister have to leave with her dad
and she is very close to them. The book then goes on to tell about how she and
her mom had to move into a trailer and she had to change schools. Later in the
book her mom starts to leave at night to go to business meetings and stays out
really late on them. The book also tell about the friends she makes and how they
helped her along the way. I would suggest this book for any body who just likes
a good story. It is also a good book for people who like reading books by
chapters because this book has chapters that are as little as 3 pages.
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Title: Wolf-Speak
Author:
Tamora Pierce
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Sarah B.
Age: 14
Branch: Oak Bend
How did you hear about this book?
I read Wild Magic, the first book in the series.
Review:
In this epic adventure, Daine, the main character, rushes to aid her wolf friends, who have migrated to become the Long Lake Pack. They have run into trouble with humans, who are digging mines that are interfering with their ability to survive. However, when Daine and Numair get there, they discover that they may be battling something a little more disastrous than some greedy humans.
The thing I liked most about this book was the introduction of several new characters, which many sequels lack, which contrasts with the many old characters who surface in this novel. Also, I like how Daine explores her magic more and spends a lot more time with the animals. The only thing to complain about would be the fact that I think the first book, Wild Magic, had a lot more action in it.
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Title: The Year of Secret Assignments
Author:
Jaclyn Moriarty
Rate It: 3 Stars
Name: Joanne C.
Age: 12
Branch: Sachs
How did you hear about this book?
I was looking for a book to read at my friend's house and she said that it was
good.
Review:
This book is a collection of diary entries, notebook entries, letters, secret
assignments, and bulletin board notices. Ashbury Highschool and Brookfield
Highschool are rival schools. To help settle their dispute, the English classes
are starting a "pen friend" program. Cassie, Lydia, and Emily have been paired
with Matthew, Seb, and Charlie. They all have very different personalities and
letters. These letters turn into secret missions and much more. This book was a
little slow in the beginning, but then it got a lot better. I liked finding out
all the surprises revealed throughout the book.
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