The Mysterious Benedict Society

The Mysterious Benedict Society, written by Trenton Lee Stewart, is a fantastic story that will keep you reading until after midnight. This is the first book in a series of three so far, but I think there will be a fourth in the future. This fiction story tells you in a special way that you shouldn't judge others, especially children.

Reynard Muldoon (known as Reynie), George Washington (no, not the real one, he's known as Sticky), Constance Contraire, and Kate Wetherall meet for the first time after taking several hard tests. They're all there because they have a powerful love of truth. I know, you're thinking that sounds dumb and weird. However, it doesn't seem weird at all when Mr. Benedict, the genius who brought all of them together, introduces them to a top secret, dangerous, life-threatening mission that involves saving the world. The kids must go to an Institute where the students don't learn math or science, not even history. Turns out the head of the Institute, Mr. Curtain, is secretly inserting messages by television and radio that could give him power. The children broadcast these messages to the world. These messages are known as the Emergency. The Emergency was created from these messages and they must be stopped. How will the kids stop Mr. Curtain? Will they do it in time?

This book was so much fun to read. It makes you laugh, cringe, bite your fingernails, keep you reading in the night, and cry if you're really sensitive. Every chapter ending makes me want to keep reading for hours on end. There are many riddles and puzzles in the book and I loved to do them along with the Mysterious Benedict Society. I admit, some parts can be a little slow, but it's worth it. This also kept me thinking . . what if there were some hidden messages being sent by television and radio? What would I do then? Would I be on the Mysterious Benedict Society?

All in all, this was a great book. It's so exciting and I would recommend it to anyone. Not only does it challenge you, it's a lot of fun to read and gets more exciting the further in you get. The story comes to life and it has kept me thinking about it for a while. As I said a couple paragraphs up, the theme is not judging people, especially kids. In this book, adults and older people at the Institute are always judging them, saying they're not smart enough, and that they wouldn't figure that out, they're only kids and such. Turns out, even one of the kids is smarter than 5 adults combined. No one should judge until they really get to know that person. Remember, everyone read this amazing book!

Grade: A

Thinandbeautiful.com

Thinandbeautiful.com by Liane Shaw is both a book and a website. However, I of course chose to read the actual book. I have read many works containing Anorexia Nervosa, but when it comes to finding something a little cleaner I would definitely say that this particular book falls into that category. Very realistic in some parts but clearly fiction Thinandbeautiful.com combines "normal" teenage issues with a devastating mental illness.

Very different from the usual books containing eating disorders this one starts in a psych ward specializing in eating disorders. Seventeen-year old Maddie was slammed into one by her worried parents. As part of her treatment plan she must come up with a personal goal to aim for before she will be discharged. As her goal she has decided on writing down her personal memories and feelings leading up to her hospitalization. As she begins to write you can see that she thinks she is perfectly normal. She doesn't believe she has a problem and can't see why she has to be here. But since her thinking is pretty messed up, we as readers, can see that this all started with one young teen's passion to be thin. From crazy diets to constant exercising things are bad but about to get worse. When she stumbles upon a site called thinandbeautiful.com she doesn't realize it's a site for thinsporation. Instead, she believes it's only for people who want to lose a bit of weight. On the site she becomes part of a chat room whose members call themselves the GWS, or Girls Without Shadows. She finds respect and support that she can't seem to find in the real world. But now as she is in a hospital her precious Internet is taken away and she must work on recovering from a disorder she doesn't believe she has.

Although I can see how the author is trying to convey true facts about Anorexia Nervosa the dialogue seemed too forced. I couldn't feel the real personalities of the various characters and the emotion was pretty well, flat. The text just didn't match the plot. I also had very mixed feelings about the characters. More specifically, Maddie herself. I thought she was a little too vocal and not self aware at all. She kept pushing her family and friends away when they wanted to talk or help. I sympathize with her on that but I don't think the author knew how to create a very good protagonist. I mean I get that her refusing to accept that she has a problem was the disorder speaking but I just couldn't like her. However, I do believe that it is much better to have a realistic, honest character instead of an unreal person.

As a former Anorexic I could personally relate to Maddie despite my dislike to her. I know what it feels like to be in a facility where you feel like you're locked up in a prison. In my honest opinion, I don't think these treatment centers help many recover at all. In fact I think they might make you worse. Instead of focusing on recovery many times the patient will be trying his/her hardest to just get out. Nevertheless, many times I could easily place myself in Maddie's shoes. I know what it's like to just want to be thin and lose weight but all around you people think you're insane. They just don't understand that we are our own person and that we as individuals can't control anyone else's thoughts or actions. We can only have control of ourselves.

As I mentioned before, the title doubles as a website, http://thinandbeautiful.com/. After I finished the book I decided to check out the site too. It turns out that Ms. Shaw apparently is very interested in Anorexia Nervosa much like me. In this website she has compiled various news articles as well as her own thoughts to make a point against this mental disorder. It surprised me that she had also had her own battle with Anorexia. Much like me she must have been pretty obsessed with the topic to devote her time to an entire website. I think that because she has written this book and made Anorexia known to people, especially teens; we an image based society can actually realize how much this disorder is taking a toll on the population. I think that both the book could have a major impact if people weren't so ignorant. If we took a look at the problems afflicting our world we could actually make an effort to fight them.

In closing, I feel as if this book could reach out to almost anyone willing to read it. There is not much language, nor is there any sex content. However, there is some underage drinking involved. All in all, I think it's a pretty clean read and I wouldn't be to concerned about anyone else reading it. Considering the many books I have read concerning Anorexia Nervosa, this one was a little higher on my list than others like Massive by Julia Bell. Many people, especially teens are ignorant and self obsorbed. I'm not afraid to admit it because I am myself. Nevertheless, I strongly suggest paying attention to other issues that the media has developed. If we don't learn about them now, when will we?

A Child Called "It"

This heartbreaking memoir by Dave Pelzer, sends you through the third worst abuse case in California as an eye-witness. It will change every reader who can finish the book.

David was born into a loving home. His father provided for them as a firefighter and his mother nurtured them. They'd go on gourmet picnics, long Sunday drives and annual vacations. All was well.

But, that all changed when David's mother became an alcoholic. She started not caring. He noted that she wouldn't bother getting ready in the morning, and most days she'd lounge on the couch and drink, and drink, and drink. Her drunkenness lead to multiple abuse attacks on one of her five children. Dave was her prey.

At as little as about three he was beaten against counters, hit and ordered to do slave work. Some days she would send Dave searching for an unknown item. She'd swear and scream and slap until her husband came home.

Soon those treatment's were too small for her "bad-boy." She would starve him, and make him sprint to school. He'd earn food and thirst by doing the dishes within a certain time limit. If that wasn't successful he'd scrounge through the garbage cans and well fed pets' bowls. Later did she catch on, and she'd do all she could to prevent him from eating, even out of the wastebaskets. He was forced to live in the basement on an army cot and he would run to school every morning.

His father and hero soon found out about this abuse. He would do very little to help. He'd given him a little food once or twice, and came home on time so Dave wouldn't get beaten, but Dave's hero soon turned into a silent bystander.

The abuse happened everyday. His mother thought out her plans elaborately, and the accounts of each one are described in this book. She had put him in a homemade gas chamber, full of Clorox and ammonia and at one point stabbed him. All I could think throughout this book was, "What human would do this to a poor child?!" The abuse was straight from heck and it was so hard to read through the tears.

I am absolutely amazed by this guy. He seriously survived all of this and is able to share it to millions. Despite all the stuff that had happened to him, he was able to think that one day, he would be out and all would be well. He's a great example of being positive no matter what and this book really showed me that if he could do it through all of that abuse, I could keep a smile on my face with challenges fifty times less than that.

The book was obviously violent. It was sad and very disturbing. But somehow I still managed to love it. I feel weird saying I loved a book like this, but it was very good. There was also some strong language sprinkled in there, but it was justifiable, I mean he's an abused child and there would be some strong feelings against the situation.

A Child Called "It" is an emotional, inspiring book. It is hard to read, but once you are through, you can't help but feel for all the children who need help. It opened my eyes to child abuse. I felt so bad for David and all the other children involved. I didn't yell once for a long time after reading this book, because I just couldn't be angry, knowing I wasn't in anything like David. Like I said before, it's life-changing. This book deserves an A, and a very large box of tissues.

If you're looking for a heartfelt, meaningful, and touching story, this is not it. If you're looking for a dark and depressing story, this is not it either. But if you're looking for a hilarious twist on the Twilight series that will make you laugh the entire time you read, this is definitely it.

Nightlight was written by the Harvard Lampoon. (Whatever that means.) I would say there isn't really a theme to this book. There's not really much of a plot either. It's basically just a bunch of really funny events put together. Seriously, it is so random, and that's what makes it so awesome! The main character is Belle Goose who is extremely klutzy and in my opinion, insane. But that's why I love her so much. She has just moved away from her juvenile-minded mother in Phoenix, Arizona, to a tiny little town called Switchblade, Oregon to live with her father, the town window wiper. She immediately falls in love with a geeky computer nerd, with reddish blonde-brown hair, named Edwart Mullen. She basically does the most bizarre stuff to get him to bite her and turn her into his eternal vampire soulmate.

I honestly laughed out loud throughout the entire book. Every single sentence will make you wonder what is going on in Belle's mind. I loved how over-exaggerated everything was. I mean, in Twilight, Bella is a pretty clumsy girl, but she never tripped over a toddler causing her to topple into a keychain display, then fall down an escalator and somersault over a pile of luggage. Nightlight goes to the extreme when mocking the Twilight series.

I would recommend this book to literally anyone, even if you haven't read the Twilight books. It would seem a little bit funnier in some parts if you've read them, but it doesn't matter all that much. I would also suggest wearing a diaper or at least sitting near a bathroom while you read this, because you will literally be wetting your pants from laughter. No joke. A+.

The Throne of Fire

For the eighth time in a row, Rick Riordan has scored a success! The Throne of Fire is truly an amazing book. Just like the first book in the Kane Chronicles, The Throne of Fire is Egyptian mythology, fiction, adventure and this time around he even threw in a little bit of romance. The theme really shines a great message about friendship. However, if you want to have any connection to the characters, or if you want to understand the plot completely then you need to have read the first book The Red Pyramid.

Sadie and Carter are young mentors trying to teach young magicians how to channel their magic through the Egyptian Gods. The only way for them to defeat the extreme lord of chaos, Apophis,was to bring back the god of the sun, Ra. In order to do that, they need to find three scrolls that would make up The Book of Ra. With that book Sadie could speak the spell to bring Ra back to existence. However, it was not so simple. Both Carter and Sadie had to go through detours and trials, but they had the aid of their friends, Walt, Bes, Bast, Amos, Zia, and all of their trainees along the way.

I LOVE this book, not only because it is adventurous and exciting but because it taught me a very good lesson. Through multiple examples in the book, I determined that good friends are very important because they are always there for you. The first example is from the very beginning of the book when they are trying to steal the first scroll. Even though there is an obvious threat in front of them, Jaz tries to heal Walt, and then Walt and Sadie try to help Jaz. It is because they care so much about each other that the other person's health comes first. Another episode of friendship comes when Sadie is with her mates Emma and Liz. Although they had never heard about any of this Egyptian god stuff they trusted Sadie whole-heartily and were willing to help. Because of this book, it has become very clear to me that we need to have and honor best friends who will help us or support us in all of our doings.

If you liked any of Rick Riordan's other books then you will for sure love this one. As the second book in a series it can be kind of hard to keep the energy in a story moving. However, this book is even better than the last one and is a must read. I read it in less than eight hours and I couldn't put it down. The characters and the plot are all so wonderful! I should be grateful to Rick for putting such a great new joy into my life.

Overall this is one of the best books I have ever read and I would strongly recommend it to anyone. (As long as they have read the first). And now I must hand the mic. to someone else.

The Afterlife

The Afterlife is about a young boy who is murdered for an innocent crime. 17 year old Chuy comments on a guys yellow shoes while combing his hair in the bathroom waiting for his date, Rachel to arrive. Chuy said to the guy, "I like your shoes." The man in the yellow shoes pulled out a knife from his pocket and stabbed Chuy 3 times till he fell to his knees and drowned in his own blood.

As Chuy's soul rose from his bloody death, it sank in that he was dead. Chuy thought his life was over, but this is when his life gets exciting. Chuy gets used to flying around in his new ghost body. He visits his family and his killer. Chuy discovers he has ghostly powers. Though he can't be heard or seen by others he can be sensed. When he meets yellow shoes again he digs his hand into yellow shoes's heart. Yellow shoes gets the chills and he knows somethings up.

During Chuy's afrerlife, he meets two other ghosts. First he meets a pretty girl named Crystal and falls in love with her. He finds out she overdosed on pills because she was afraid she wouldn't make it and that she wasn't good enough. Even though she was intelligent and popular she couldn't see the talent she had in herself. As Crystal and Chuy are strolling, they come across a homeless guy. He was sitting outside underneath a tree and shivering like crazy. THe man had a fever. Chuy saw the homeless man's ghost start rising from his body and touched the man's forehead with his icy breath. The man's ghost sank back into his body. Chuy had saved this man's life for the moment but he eventually died. Chuy met him again as a ghost and they became friends.

one thing Chuy realizes is he is slowly disappearing. Crystal and the hobo, Robert, are disappearing too. Chuy is kind of scared because he doesn't know where he'll go when his ghost body is all gone. THe book leaves you somewhat hanging because it never tells you where they go after they disappear but it insinuates that they go to heaven.

I though this book was uniquely written because Gary Soto added some spanish in it. It made it more real in my opinion. This book didn't have much suspense because right away it told about the murder. It had a great intro and it hooked me. Even though this book wasn't exactly my type, I still enjoyed reading it. B-

The Red Pyramid

Rick Riordan introduces us to many of the mythological gods and goddesses. In the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, we meet the Greek gods. He later starts a sequel series, Heroes of Olympus, introducing us to Roman gods. In the first book of The Kane Chronicles, The Red Pyramid, we meet the Egyptian gods and goddesses. We get to find out what great of a mystery this book is. 

To start you off, Carter and Sadie are siblings, but they were separated six years ago when their mother died. They only get to see each other twice a year.  Carter stayed with his archaeologist dad, traveling all over the world. Meanwhile, Sadie has been living with her grandparents in London, going to school with friends and having a regular life...that is until her dad took her and Carter to the British Museum, exploded a part of the museum and released more than one god.  Now Sadie and Carter have to flee with their long lost uncle Amos where he takes them to Brooklyn, New York. 

As soon as Amos leaves, the house they're staying in is attacked and they're forced to escape with Bast, the goddess of cats (a.k.a. their cat, Muffin). Carter and Sadie soon find out that they are the most powerful magicians born in three-thousand years. Together they must fight to save Set, the god of evil, from destroying the world and to save their father. 

As they travel, they must confront other of the Egyptian gods and uncover their family secrets. There are many hard things they must accept, however, when they trust each other, they can overcome their problems...except when it comes to Carter liking a girl. That's when Carter can't trust Sadie. 


This book reminded me that my family should be really important to me. No, I'm not paranoid my parents will die, it's just always a good reminder that I have siblings to take care of, right? ;) I would agree with Bruce Handy from NY Times when he says "fans young and old will eat this book up". I promise you that this book definitely won't be a waste of your time. I'm really exited to read the next book, The Throne of Fire!
Grade: A ;)